Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Begin Road Stretch in Memphis, Face Grizzlies 

No Luck for Ja.    One Streak to Another.    Road Warriors.

Houston heads to Memphis to battle the Grizzlies on Saturday night in the second half of their weekend back-to-back. The Rockets look to bounce back after having their winning streak snapped by the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Memphis is surprisingly holding onto the fourth seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 15-11. Even more surprising is their play of late without superstar Ja Morant, who went down a few weeks ago with an injury. Luckily for the Rockets, they won’t have to worry about containing Morant tonight. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and veteran Steven Adams will pose the biggest problems for the Rockets tonight. This is also Houston’s third game in four days. Don’t be surprised if the squad appears to be running with tired legs.

The Rockets win streak came to an end at the hands of the Bucks in their previous game, but Houston aims to start another streak tonight in Memphis. The squad won their last road game, in Oklahoma City, and will try and make it two straight away from Toyota Center with a win on Saturday night.

Tonight commences a very difficult part of the schedule fo the Rockets. The journey is treacherous over these next nine games, eight of which will be on the road. Houston will need to play better than their 1-11 road record if they want to avoid another long losing streak. The squad aims to get back on the right path in Memphis against a Grizzlies team who is very beatable compared to the fierce competition Houston witnessed last night.

 

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (8-17):  Red

Memphis Grizzlies (15-11):  Navy “City Edition”

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Lose to Bucks, 123-114, as Streak Comes to an End

Back to Earth.    Failure to Close.    Right Back at It.

Despite leading for most of the night, the Rockets lost their first game in over two weeks, as the Bucks snapped the streak at seven by dealing Houston a 123-114 loss on Friday night. The Rockets had no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who erupted for 41 points and 17 rebounds to lead Milwaukee. The Bucks also got 21 points apiece courtesy of Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. Garrison Matthews continues to live up to his legend in Houston. Garry Bird led the Rockets in scoring with 23 points, and played with plenty of fire, even drawing the ire of former Rocket DeMarcus Cousins. Christian Wood posted 21 points and 13 boards, and Alperen Sengun had arguably his best game of the season. Sengun went right at the Greek Freak on offense, scoring a career-high 15 points in only 16 minutes of playing time. Armoni Brooks kept his streak of solid games, adding 21 points for Houston.

Down the stretch, the Rockets just lost to a better team. The champs put the clamps on Houston in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Rockets 33-19, and erasing a small 5-point edge Houston held entering the frame. This was a game where Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green’s absences were both sorely felt for the Rockets. The squad could’ve really used their two starting guards against an opponent who might win it all again this year. After winning seven games in a row, and being the talk of the league for a second, the Bucks brought the Rockets back to Earth. The team now hits the road to begin a tough stretch featuring eight of the next nine games away from Toyota Center.

Houston has no time rest. The Rockets are in the midst of a five games in seven days stretch. Tomorrow, the squad travels to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies in the second half of a back-to-back, and Houston’s third game in four days. They’ll look to start another win streak against a Ja Morant-less Memphis squad. But it won’t be easy. The Grizzlies are 15-11, good enough for fourth place in the West at the moment. So even if Houston leads for most of the night, if the Rockets can’t fire on all cylinders in the final quarter, they’re going to experience what happened on Friday often this season. Hopefully Houston can snap that bad habit. 

The Champs Visit Houston, as Rockets Host Bucks

Championship Swagger.    Hunting Season.    Play or Tank?

Since their winning streak began, the Rockets have played with a different genre of swagger. And tonight, Houston gets the ultimate test as the defending champs, the Milwaukee Bucks pay a visit to town. After a slow start due to extensive injuries, the Bucks are starting to find their groove, and appear as legit as any contender to win it all this season, again. Contrary to the Rockets latest victory over Brooklyn, where Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge decided to rest before tip-off, tonight Milwaukee should be loaded with the players who took them all the way to the top last year. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still most dominant transition force in basketball, and Milwaukee has Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday as well to form out their “Big Three.” Bobby Portis has had a helluva season as the Bucks wait for Brook Lopez to return from an injury. And Grayson Allen just has the prototype of a typical “Rocket-Killer.” Don’t be shocked if Allen has a big night as a surprise catalyst for the Bucks. After the most emotional game of the season on Wednesday, there won’t be any outside noise distracting Houston’s opponent tonight. The Rockets need to be amped up like hunters during open season if they want to keep their improbable streak alive.

It’s hunting season in the NBA. We’re well past the quarter-mark of the season, with roughly 15 games to play before we approach the halfway mark. Both conferences are in a traffic jam. Golden State, Phoenix, and Utah have a slight gap over their peers in the West. Brooklyn and Chicago have a slight edge over their opponents out East. And after starting 1-16, Houston now finds themselves only 2.5 games out of the play-in spot. With so much parity continuing to evolve in the league, the Rockets actually have a shot, it’s a long one, but a chance nonetheless, to actually make the playoffs. Tonight’s tilt against the Champions will demonstrate which direction Houston is likely heading towards. Another improbable win, and the Rockets could be headed towards a grind to the playoffs. A loss, and Houston may very well settle back into the apathetic comfort of the tanking mindset, and be bound for the lottery once again.

The Rockets are still without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. tonight. But, they’ve adjusted to playing without two of their top playmakers. Houston will need everyone to step up, if the Rockets are going to slow down the Greek Freak’s Bucks. Expect everyone to get playing time for Houston. Hopefully Milwaukee’s championship swagger’s contagious. Tonight begins a brutal stretch for the Rockets. It’s the first of five games in seven nights. Friday night’s showdown is also the end of Houston’s stretch of 7 out of 8 games at home. If the Rockets can pull the miracle tonight, they’ll have beaten the top three Eastern Conference teams during this winning streak… in the process adding a little more ingredients to Houston’s unique swagger.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Milwaukee Bucks (16-10):  White

Houston Rockets (8-16):  Navy “City Edition”

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Spoil Harden’s Houston Return, Stun Nets 114-104, for 7th Consecutive Win

EG Liftoff.    Defensive Workshop.    Perfect Birthday.

James Harden was back in Houston on Wednesday night, playing basketball in the building where he earned plenty of victories over his career. But on this night, victory eluded the Beard, as the Rockets topped the Nets, 114-104, pushing their winning streak to seven games. Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both decided to rest, were late scratches for Brooklyn. Regardless, the Rockets still beat one of the best road teams in the NBA, and earned a win over the Beard in this much-anticipated matchup. Houston came out ready to play from the opening tip, leading for most of the contest. Eric Gordon started the fuse for Houston, scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points in the opening frame. EG, who seems to never get ejected, was even tossed from the game in the second half, as emotions were flowing throughout the night.

Christian Wood had another double-double, posting 12 points and 15 boards. Armoni Brooks chipped in 14 points, and Garrison Matthews aka “Garry Bird” saved the day when the matchup became too close for comfort in crunch time. Matthews continues to thrive as a starter. Garry Bird scored 19 points, and had some crucial plays late in the game. Matthews hit a few big threes to keep the Rockets ahead, and played stellar defense on Harden in the fourth quarter. Houston as a unit put on a defensive workshop on Wednesday night. The squad held one of the best offensive juggernauts to under 40% shooting, and kept Brooklyn well below their scoring average. The Rockets did an excellent job containing Harden, holding the Beard to a quiet 25 points.

On his 20th birthday, Josh Christopher had by far the best game of his NBA career. The rookie scored a career-high 18 points, including a dazzling 4-for-4 from long range. Christopher didn’t miss a shot, from the field or the free-throw line, and hit some key buckets late in the game for Houston. Sure, this game could’ve had a different outcome had Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge played, but the Rockets are still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, so both squads were essentially short-handed.

Houston’s now won an incredible 7 straight games after losing 15 consecutive, a remarkable, and historic feat. The competition doesn’t get any easier for the Rockets, as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks stride into town on Friday night. Houston will need to play even better against a Bucks team that’s beginning to round back into title form after a slow start to the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo smells blood and is a unique force, especially in the transitional game. If the Rockets want to pull off another upset, they’ll have to earn it with team effort on defense, just as they displayed against the former face of the franchise in Wednesday night’s trimming of the Nets.

Rockets Face Nets in Showdown, Harden Returns to a Houston Full House

Boss Level.    From the Alamo to Brooklyn.    How Sweet It Is.

“Hey are you like that guy, the one from Taken, who has a particular set of skills?,” a side character asks the lead role in 2021’s criminally overlooked Mel Gibson time-travel thriller, Boss Level. And as the Rockets still grasp the NBA’s longest winning streak, that guy, the one who had a particular set of skills for over 8 years as the lead role in Houston, James Harden, returns to the city, hell-bent on ending his former’s team’s winning streak. The Rockets host the Nets in what is is season’s biggest game at Toyota Center. These young Houston players have shown resilience throughout their winning streak. It’s hard to win six games in a row in this league. Despite the fairly easy schedule over the past games, the Rockets still took care of business. And that’s easier said than done against any team in the NBA. On Wednesday night, Houston is facing as tough an opponent as they’ll encounter all season. The Beard makes his return, and despite his slow start to this season in Brooklyn, expect him to have a big night for the Nets. Due to the coronavirus, it’s Harden’s his first game back in H-Town with a capacity crowd as the setting since he left Houston in disappointing fashion near the start of last season. The Rockets will rely on Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who can somewhat contain a Beard-led outburst. The problem for Houston is Brooklyn, despite being without Kyrie Irving so far this season, still boasts arguably the most talent on any roster in the league.

Harden isn’t even the best player on his own team. That would be Kevin Durant, whom many people believe is the best player in the world right now. KD usually plays well again Houston, but Durant usually plays well against everyone, so that’s not saying much. KD and Harden will be a handful for this young Rockets team. If this was a video game, tonight’s battle is the Boss Level for Houston. After winning six in a row against  mainly inferior competition, the Rockets now face two of the best offensive players to ever play the game. Houston is still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Everyone needs to step up for the Rockets, and steal Harden’s spotlight.

Besides Brooklyn’s deadly duo, the Nets also have several players who have specialized in being “Rocket-killers” over their careers. Most notably, two former San Antonio Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills, who seem to play like future Hall-of-Famers any time they suit up against Houston. Obviously, all eyes will be on Harden and Durant tonight. But don’t be shocked one bit if Aldridge or Mills explodes for a 25-point night. Or even both of them. The Nets also have several injuries, so both former Spurs are starting for Brooklyn tonight. Eric Gordon, who’s admitted he’s pumped up himself for Harden’s return, will need to have a savvy big game if the Rockets want to pull off the upset. Houston also needs Christian Wood, Garrison Matthews, Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who plays tonight to leave it all on the floor. These Nets are elite, and they don’t lost to teams they’re supposed to beat. In other words, Brooklyn doesn’t beat itself, as opposed to Rockets, who have done so countless times this season. Houston has to punch the Nets in the mouth (or Beard), if they want to keep the winning streak alive.

Who could’ve imagined this? After starting 1-16, no one thought Houston would go on a winning streak, let alone win six games in a row. And now standing in the way of win number seven is the guy wearing number seven, who spent the majority of his career carrying the Rockets in Houston. Only to leave in disappointing fashion about a year ago. The players may say there’s no bad blood between these squads, but that’s false. The Rockets want to beat Harden just as bad as he wants to put on a nostalgic show of nightmares in front of Houston’s fans. How sweet it would be if the Rockets could pull off the upset, and extend the streak. Show Harden Houston was never that bad, and his departure was premature. But that’s all in the past. Tonight’s squarely about the present. Some possible silver-lining entering this matchup, if there’s any for the Rockets coming into this showdown, are two key factors. First, the idea of rest in a load-management league: last night, the Nets won a tough road game in Dallas, 102-99, rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat the Mavs. On the other hand, Houston has had two days off since their last win on Sunday. Hopefully the Rockets won’t show any signs of rust, but if they do, they’ll have a booming legion of fans supporting them in the background. That’s the second factor that could play into Houston’s favor. The Rockets are home, playing in front of their fans. And if there was ever a night where the crowd is going to be rocking at Toyota Center, it’s tonight. He’s back in town. That guy they call “the Beard”… the one with a particular set of streak-ending skills.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Brooklyn Nets (17-7):  Gray

Houston Rockets (7-16):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT  – AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fend Off Pelicans, 118-108, Earn Sixth Straight Win

Mental Toughness.    Garry Bird.    Rough Sledding Ahead.

The rims were kind to Houston once again, as the Rockets beat the Pelicans on Sunday night, 118-108, for their sixth straight win. With the victory, the Rockets became the first team in NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL history to win 6 straight games after losing 15 in a row. Once again, Houston took advantage of a beatable opponent, in New Orleans, and basically led for the duration of the contest. Christian Wood scored 23 points and grabbed 13 boards to lead the way for the Rockets, who are still awaiting the return of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green from injuries. The ever-consistent Eric Gordon added 23 points as well to ensure Houston had enough scoring without two of their key playmakers. EG and Jae’Sean Tate combined to dish out half of the team’s 24 assists on the night. And the Rockets withstood a dominant performance from Brandon Ingrams, who had one of the quietest 40-point nights in NBA-history.

Garrison Matthews, also known as “Garry Bird” to some Houstonians, continues his renaissance year since being called up from the G-League. Matthews scored 13 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and accounted for too much hustle to calculate. Lipscomb University’s GOAT is relishing in the starting role he earned. With the return of Green and KPJ, will Matthews still be a starter? It’s hard not to give the guy minutes. At the least, he should be one of the first players off the bench when the squad’s back to full strength. And Alperen Sengun, who is already one of the greatest per-minute producers the league has ever seen, once again dazzled in only 17 minutes of action. The 19-year-old rookie registered 10 points and 4 rebounds on Sunday. Once Sengun receives his opportunity, it should be fun to see what he can accomplish with starter-level minutes.

The easy part is now over for Houston. Two more home games remain on the slate before the team hits the road, but the these final two home games will be a couple of contests against two of the league’s best. First, James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets return to Houston on Wednesday. And then the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks come to town on Friday night. The Rockets will probably still be without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. for these matchups, making the challenge even tougher.

The good news is, Houston will be playing at home. And Wednesday will mark the first time Harden’s returned to H-Town to play in front of a capacity crowd. The atmosphere should be as comparable to a playoff game as it will get for the young Rockets this season. But the fans should be rocking, always a great advantage for team’s role players when they play at home. If Houston can maintain the mental toughness they’ve shown throughout this winning streak, they have a chance to push the streak further than most could imagine. Keeping the winning streak alive isn’t impossible. One thing that is for sure… the nets won’t be as kind to the Rockets as they ride into this tough part of the schedule.

Rockets Shoot For Six in a Row as Pelicans Fly into Town

Hottest Team.    Scooting Up.    Final Opportunity.

The Houston Rockets are the hottest team in basketball. I didn’t think I’d get to say that all season, but Houston currently holds the NBA’s longest winning streak, at 5 games. And the streak’s on the line tonight as the Rockets face the New Orleans Pelicans for the first time this season. With a win, Houston could move up one spot, and pass New Orleans in the standings. However, these birds have been playing well lately. The Pelicans have won four of their last six games, and their recent schedule hasn’t been the cakewalk which the Rockets have experienced lately. The New Orleans wins has been over the Wizards, Jazz, Clippers, Mavericks… all expected to be in the playoffs when Spring is in the air. The Pels are still without Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played all season due to injury. Reports say he’s nearing a return, but it won’t be tonight in Houston. Jalen Green remains out for the Rockets, and Kevin Porter Jr. will also miss Sunday’s game with a thigh injury. Scoot’s attempted to play through the injury the past two games, but it’s become re-aggravated. Houston has two days off after their matchup with the Pelicans, giving KPJ a chance to possibly return on Wednesday.

For now, more Rockets will have to step up. Porter Jr. is Houston’s main playmaker. In his absence, the Rockets will rely on others to scoot up to playmaking duties. These include the usual suspects, guys like Jae’Sean Tate, Garrison Matthews, Christian Wood, and Eric Gordon. The quartet have carried the Rockets through this winning streak. They’ll need additional help this evening against a New Orleans team starting to find its groove. That means Armoni Brooks, who has thrived in extra minutes, KJ Martin, D.J. Augustin, Josh Christopher, and Daniel House need to step up. Alperen Sengun should also receive more chances to show why he deserves a starting role on this team. The Pelicans best player is Brandon Ingram, but newly acquired Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham are having solid years in their first seasons with New Orleans. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Willy Hernangomez. and Garrett Temple are other players who could potentially impact tonight’s game. Houston should have enough momentum and talent to win tonight, but they need to keep passing the ball at a high rate and avoid costly turnovers. The Rockets’ free throw shooting has slowly improved over this win streak, along with their assist-to-turnover ratio. If Houston can say efficient in these two areas, they should beat the Pelicans tonight, and keep their win streak alive.

Not to peer too far into the future, but tonight might be Houston’s last chance to add to their winning streak. New Orleans won’t be easy to beat regardless, but the schedule toughens up after tonight. The Rockets host James Harden and the Nets on Wednesday, and then on Friday night, the defending champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, come to town. So essentially, two of the best teams in basketball, and two of the toughest tests of the season, are next on Houston’s slate. The Rockets have played like a different team since the winning streak began. This Pelicans team is much better than their 7-18 record implies. If everyone on Houston’s roster isn’t ready to scoot up to a bigger role, the Rockets’ tough times could begin earlier than anticipated. Once again, at least, Houston has the home crowd on their side tonight. And for now… they’re still the hottest team in basketball.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (7-18):  Red

Houston Rockets (6-16):  White

 

TV:  6 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Gordon’s Late Heroics Lift Rockets Past Magic, 118-116

Last Second Streaking.    Deja Boo.    Moving Up.

Houston’s winning streak came within mere seconds of ending on Friday night, but Eric Gordon drove to the lane and hit a running floater with 1.6 seconds remaining, breaking a 116-116 tie, and giving Houston the lead for good. Cole Anthony, who led the Magic with 26 points, had a great look from deep to win the game, but it clanked off the back iron. As a result, the Rockets came out victorious for the fifth straight game, narrowly surviving Orlando’s rally to win, 118-116. Houston held their biggest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, 114-101, but the Magic came all the way back to tie it up, giving their best player a great look to win it, but the Rockets got lucky in the end. It was as if the weight of this winning streak started to wear on Houston’s young squad. Luckily, the Rockets still have some veterans. The old man on the team, Eric Gordon, had his best game of the season. Gordon took over in the fourth quarter, and hit the go-ahead bucket for Houston. EG scored a season-high 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting to lead the Rockets. Christian Wood had another monster double-double, with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Wood dominated the third period, scoring 16 points in the frame. Jae’Sean Tate chipped in 15 points and grabbed 7 boards. Garrison Matthews continued his stretch of double-digit scoring as a starter, now averaging 17.4 points a night when he suits up with the first lineup. Despite a slow start to the game, Matthews had a strong fourth quarter. “Gritty Garrison” scored 10 of his 16 points in the final period, and hit some big shots to keep the Magic at bay. Alperen Sengun registered 13 points, 5 assists, and  3 rebounds in only 19 minutes. The Turkish rookie is having a stellar season in limited playing time, but to those watching closely, it’s evident his minutes won’t be limited for long. 

Unfortunately, for the second straight game, Kevin Porter Jr. left the game with the same thigh injury that’s been bothering him for some time now. Scoot will be held out of Houston’s next game on Sunday, in hopes he can fully recover. KPJ had another solid performance in limited minutes, scoring 8 points and dishing out 6 assists in only 18 minutes of action. After Sunday’s game, the Rockets don’t play again until Wednesday. So KPJ, Jalen Green, and others will have more time to recover, and hopefully be back on the court sooner than later.

And all of a sudden, as of this moment, the Houston Rockets are owners of the NBA’s longest current winning streak, at five games. It’s the first time in history a team has won 5 games in a row after losing 15 straight. Ever since the lineup adjustments, Houston’s looked like a different team. They even moved up one spot in the standings, from 15th to 14th, owing the tiebreaker with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not that it means anything, but the NBA has never had a season like this. We’re now over a quarter of the way into the season, and only three teams in the West have records above .500. I know it sounds silly, but the Rockets are only 3 losses behind Portland for the final play-in berth. The playoffs never seemed to be on this team’s horizon, and they probably are still a few years away, but if Houston keeps playing hard, anything is possible this season. After the toughest early-season schedule in the NBA, the Rockets are currently taking advantage of the easiest portion of their season. Other than the Chicago Bulls (the Hornets have regressed since the Rockets beat them), Houston still has yet to beat a worthy opponent. Nonetheless, wins are hard to come by in the NBA regardless of the opponent. The Rockets have another chance to add a win to their streak as the lowly Pelicans come to town on Sunday. However, New Orleans has played well of late, and it should be the toughest game Houston’s played since the Rockets broke their losing streak.

Rockets Aim for 5th Straight Win, Return Home to Host Magic

Five-Win Battle.    Second-Edition Surprises.    Opportunity Knocks.

After winning their first road game in impressive comeback fashion, the Rockets return to Houston where opportunity knocks. Winners of four straight, the Rockets play their next four games at home, where the squad is 4-5, as opposed to a torrid 1-11 record away from Toyota Center. Houston hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday night, in a battle of five-win teams, and an opportunity for the Rockets to win their fifth straight contest. Both of these squads ended miserable droughts in their previous games. After starting 0-11 away from Toyota Center, the Rockets finally got their first road win in OKC. And Orlando snapped a seven-game losing streak with a fashionable come-from-behind victory of their own, besting the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Both teams are shorthanded tonight, as the Magic will be without Jalen Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the draft. The Rockets are still without Jalen Green, the second player selected amongst rookies. And Houston could possibly be without Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood as well. KPJ re-aggravated his left thigh, and will likely be out with a thigh contusion. Wood rolled his ankle in the previous game, but the Rockets are listing him as probable for Friday night’s matchup.

When the schedule was released, this game featured two of the top five rookies, in terms of draft order. However both Jalens, Green and Suggs, won’t play tonight. Instead, viewers will get a look at two rookies who are making an impact sooner than expected. Houston’s Alperen Sengun has thrived in nearly every minute of action. Once he gets more playing time, Sengun has the potential to be the best player in the entire draft class. Yes… he’s that special. Orlando’s Franz Wagner has been arguably the best rookie for the Magic so far this season. Wagner’s been more consistent than Suggs, showing a knack to fill up the stat sheet in many areas.

Orlando’s most dangerous player is guard Cole Anthony. The Rockets will try to contain him on the perimeter with the defense of Jae’Sean Tate, Garrison Matthews and others. Center Mo Bamba is having a breakout season for the Magic. Wood (if able to play), Sengun, and possibly Daniel Theis will be called on to keep Orlando’s big man off the glass. And Wendell Carter Jr. is quietly playing well over his past few games. Don’t be surprised if he has a big game tonight.

Ignore the records, this game won’t be as easy as it looks. After their most seemingly exhaustive game of the season, it’ll be interesting to see how the Rockets approach this contest. It’s another rare matchup where Houston is actually the favorite. But if they resort to bad habits like turnovers, they could be in trouble against the Magic. Both teams are coming off impressive wins. The Rockets have seemed to turn a page since the win streak started. Another winnable game is on the horizon tonight. A win pushes the streak to five games for Houston… the Rockets have to take advantage of this magical opportunity.

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Orlando Magic (5-18):  White

Houston Rockets (5-16):  Navy “City Edition”

 

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Tate the Great:  Short-Handed Rockets Rally to Top Thunder, 114-110

Tate Takeover.    Bonafide Shooters.    Scoot Back.

“A great man doesn’t seek to lead. He’s called to it.” A quote from the epic film Dune that resonates with Houston’s resurrection on the road Wednesday night. Short-handed, and trailing by double-digits in the final period, Houston rallied for an impressive 114-110 victory, their first road win of the season. The Rockets showed more resiliency tonight than in any game this season. It’s the first time this season Houston’s won a game when trailing entering the fourth quarter. The Rockets scored 41 points on a blistering 69% shooting in the final period to pull off the comeback. They lost arguably their two best players, Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr., to injuries. Both guys left the court in the first half and didn’t return. No Wood, no Porter Jr., and no Jalen Green. So how on Earth did the Rockets come back to win their fourth consecutive game? Well, with their two leading scorers out, someone had to lead the way. And that someone was Jae’Sean Tate. A guy who never seeks to make it on SportsCenter, but instead makes the winning play time after time again. Houston’s energizer-bunny doesn’t garner the attention of players like Wood, KPJ, or Jalen Green from the national media, but he’s just as crucial to the Rockets success. And Tate had the game of his life on Wednesday night. He scored a career-high 32 points on a potently efficient 11-for-15 shooting night. Tate also supplied 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a whopping 5 blocks, an incredible feat for a player who stands at 6’4. A stat-line accomplished by only 7 players in NBA history, all Hall-of-Famers. Tate was hot from the start, and fueled Houston’s comeback, scoring 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter. But if you know Jae’Sean Tate, he has the capacity for performances like this. 

Tate has always played with a chip on his shoulder. Number Eight for the Rockets went undrafted in 2018. Afterwards, Tate did what many players do in his situation, and went to play overseas. Tate first travelled to Belgium and played for the Antwerp Giants, and then made a trip to Australia, one of the more competitive pro leagues in the world outside of the NBA. While down under, Tate was the go-to-guy and main option for the Sydney Kings. He came into the NBA as a rookie last season ready, one of the bigger surprises for Houston. And this year, Tate’s only improved his skills and efficiency. In my opinion, he’s the best “role player” in the NBA. Even if his shot’s not falling, Tate plays so hard every night that he finds a way to impact the game. And Wednesday night was Jae’Sean’s Show, and he sure didn’t disappoint.

The Rockets had other players step up as well. Daniel Theis saw his first playing time since the winning streak began, stepping up once Wood went down with an injury. Theis, who coach Stephen Silas has called the “definition of a pro,” grabbed 9 boards, along with 2 assists and a block in 21 minutes, helping secure the paint area defensively for Houston. Armoni Brooks scored 18 points, hitting 7 of his 10 shots, including some big ones late. Garrison Matthews continues to play well in a starting-role. More importantly, he doesn’t lose confidence. After missing his first three shots from distance, Matthews nailed his final four threes, registering 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Brooks and Matthews are pure bonafide shooters. The duo does more than just knocking down the open three. These two can get their shot off against any defense and still make a solid attempt, as opposed to catch-and-shoot players, or guys who need shots in rhythm. The more space Houston creates with their passing, combined with driving the ball to the basket, equals more looks for Brooks and Matthews on the perimeter. Alperen Sengun dazzled once again limited minutes. Al-P dished out 4 assists, scored 5 points, and also blocked two shots in only 13 mintues of action. At only 19 years old, he’s the best passer on Houston’s team, and Rocket shooters will benefit from Sengun’s amazing court awareness. Kenyon Martin Jr. scored 12 points, and Josh Christopher chipped in 10 points in his best game of the season. Kevin Porter Jr. looked poised for a big night before he left with an injury. Scoot scored 10 points, hitting 3 of his 5 attempts from distance. Porter Jr. also finished with 2 rebounds, an assist and two steals in only 13 minutes.Hopefully Scoot’s injury isn’t too serious, but KPJ’s been bothered by a thigh bruise injury. He missed the three games before the Rockets’ winning streak began, and Houston can only pray he recovers quickly. His absence, along with Wood’s, are both huge punches to the gut for this young Rocket squad. The severity of Wood’s injury is also unknown at the moment. At the moment, neither seem to be too severe. 

The Rockets now scoots back to Houston for four more home games. This contest in Oklahoma City was the lone road game during this stretch which Houston is playing seven of eight games at home. And the Rockets took care of business. Can they keep their winning streak, now at four games, alive back at Toyota Center? This latest victory made the Rockets the first team in NBA history to win 4 games in a row after a 15-game losing streak. They’ll need to play hard, very comparable to their performance tonight, especially if the squad is still short-handed. And if Porter Jr. and Wood remain out… at least the Rockets know who’ll answer the call to lead.