Category: Uncategorized

Jazz Blast Past Rockets, 135-101, as Focus Wanes

Silent Night.    Dwindling Attention.    The Grind Continues.

It was a a silent night, at least for the Rockets, in Salt Lake City on Monday evening. Houston got blown out by the Jazz, 135-101, for their fifth straight loss. Kevin Martin Jr., of all players, led the Rockets in scoring with 16 points, on a night when no one on Houston’s squad had a nice groove to their game. Donovan Mitchell score 30 points to lead the Jazz, who had seven different players score in double-figures. This game was never close, as Utah led by 12 points after the first quarter, and then stretched that lead to 25 at halftime.

As is the case for the majority of the league, it’s hard to maintain focus as the All-Star break approaches. Whether they’re attending the festivities in Cleveland, or going somewhere like Cabo, it’s hard to keep attention to detail, especially for younger players, as the league’s intermission approaches. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jae’Sean Tate will all be in the Rising Stars Game. Green’s also participating in the Slam Dunk Contest. Nonetheless, the Rockets have been victims of fatigue-inspired malaise over the past few games, and it won’t get any easier as the team wraps up the road trip with a tough back-to-back on the horizon.

Utah’s one of the hardest places to win a basketball game for a road team in this league. It only gets tougher for Houston, as they travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns, the NBA’s best team, in the first of a back-to-back. They’ll wrap up proceedings with a battle in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Thursday night before heading on break. Hopefully the Rockets can steal an upset, but at this point in the season, that would be extremely unlikely.

Rockets Travel to Utah for Matchup with Jazz

Rocky Road.    Three to Go.    Replicating the Past.

The Rockets begin a rocky stretch of the schedule on Monday night, as they start a three-game road trip in Salt Lake City, where the red-hot Jazz await. After hitting a mid-season wall, the Jazz have found their groove again, winners of their last five games. Rudy Gobert has been out for Utah but has a chance to return tonight.

Houston will try and replicate the past, as the Rockets beat the Jazz in Utah earlier this year, back on January 19th. So, it’s possible Houston can pull a Deja Vu. But given the current directions these two teams are headed in, a Rocket win tonight would be an unexpected surprise, as has been the case with nearly all of Houston’s victories.

Jalen Green and Kevin Porter have both picked up their level of play as of late. The Rockets’ backcourt will be a key ingredient in Houston pulling the upset in Utah tonight. After this contest, the Rockets have a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday before the All-Star break commences. Houston’s had three days off since they last played, Thursday of last week. If the Rockets are going to win another game before the NBA’s midseason break, tonight is the most apt opportunity… Houston’s young gunners are fresh, and need to take advantage of an older Jazz opponent.

 

Vivint Arena:  Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-40):  Red

Utah Jazz (35-21):  White

 

Tip-Off:  8 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Romped by Raptors, 139-120, as Struggles Continue

Junior Night.    Nearing Extinction.    On the Road Again.

Houston led after the first quarter, but that’s as good as it would get for the home team. The Rockets were torched by the Raptors, who dealt Houston a 139-120 defeat on Thursday night. The Juniors for both squads excelled. Gary Trent Jr. exploded for a career-high 42 points to lead Toronto. Kevin Porter Jr. had his best game of the season with 30 points to lead the Rockets.

The loss is now Houston’s fourth in a row, and as we near the All-Star break, the Rockets are getting closer to having their playoffs hopes officially extinct for the season. Only three games remain before the break, all tough games on the road.

Houston will get a full three days of rest before their next game, Monday in Utah. Hopefully the squad can regroup and find that road glory from earlier in the season.

Rockets Host Raptors in Final Home Game Before All-Star Break

Red-Hot Dinos.    Home Farewell.    Search for Dominion.

Houston returns to Toyota Center for their final home game before the All-Star break. Awaiting them are the red-hot Toronto Raptors, winners of seven straight games. After a back-and-forth start, Toronto has moved up the standings in the crowded East. The Dinos have another top rookie from this year’s past draft class, Scottie Barnes, who was selected fourth. Barnes is quietly having an outstanding rookie season and looks to be a future All-Star in this league.

The Rockets aim to get one last victory at home before they head off on a three-game road trip out West after tonight’s contest. Houston is coming off back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans, and right now, the Rockets look like a team in need of a break. Houston’s search for dominion continues, as they struggle to put four quarters together.

Jalen Green and company will attempt to take advantage of a slightly undermanned Toronto team. The Raptors traded Goran Dragic to San Antonio earlier today, but the Dinos still have plenty of weapons to wreak havoc in Houston. The Rockets were quiet on deadline day. Houston dealt Daniel Theis back to Boston in exchange for point guard Dennis Schroder. Countering many predictions, Christian Wood and Eric Gordon weren’t dealt. In an unexpected move, the squad waved Armoni Brooks. So this is the squad Houston will be rolling with for the rest of the season. And like they’ve done all season, this Rockets team wins when people least expect. The Raptors, winners of seven in a row, roll into Toyota Center. No chance for Houston, right? Something tells me this game will be closer than people think. It’s the last home game for the Rockets for over two weeks, look for the squad to be ready to give the fans a show.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Toronto Raptors (30-23):  Red

Houston Rockets (15-39):  Navy “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Trounced by Pelicans, 110-97, in the Big Easy

Same Duo.    Out of Gas.    Deadline Approaches.

The Rockets fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 110-97, on Tuesday night. The same lethal duo of Brandon Ingram and Jaxson Hayes once again proved to be the biggest thorns Houston’s side. Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 27 points, while Christian Wood added 19 points. This contest was never really close, with Houston basically trailing from start-to-finish.

Houston appears to be a team out of gas as they approach the All-Star Break. Only four games remain before the break. And they’re all against elite opponents. The Rockets will try and muster a win and upset one of the NBA’s hotter teams before the league reaches intermission.

Tuesday night was the last game before the trade deadline for Houston. While Christian Wood and Eric Gordon have been the names discussed most in rumor mills, anything can happen on deadline day. The trade deadline is officially at 2 PM CT on Thursday afternoon. The Rockets host the Toronto Raptors in their final game before the All-Star break as well on Thursday.

Rockets Seek Different Results, Face Pelicans in Big Easy Rematch

Second Shot.    Contain Action Jaxson.    Road Warriors Remix.

Houston travels to New Orleans for a rematch with the Pelicans on Tuesday night. These teams are coming off a Sunday night battle, which the Pelicans won, 120-107. The Rockets will attempt to be more worthy adversaries on the road in tonight’s contest as they get a second shot to shoot down the birds.

If Houston wants any chance of getting revenge on the Pels, they need to up the ante on their defensive intensity. Most notably, on Brandon Ingram and Jaxson Hayes. Both players were unstoppable for the Pelicans on Sunday, and were the prime orchestrators of Houston’s demise.

Last month’s five-game road trip feels like a season ago, but Houston needs to find that road chemistry again if they want a chance against a very beatable opponent. After a pair of terrible third quarters, the Rockets need to come out of halftime like gangbusters, and take control of the game. This matchup will likely be decided in the third period, as so many results for Houston have been based on their play in the third quarter. If anything, expect a more competitive and closer game in the Big Easy. The schedule becomes grueling with top-tier opponents on the Rockets’ radar coming up before the intermission. Tonight is Houston’s best chance for one last victory before the All-Star break.

 

Smoothie King Center:  New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-38):  Black

New Orleans Pelicans (21-32):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Pelicans Dismantle Rockets, 120-107, as Houston’s Struggles Continue

Pleading the Third.    Brandon-Named Killer.    Chemistry Search.

As was the case against the Spurs, the Rockets managed to make the first half competitive. However, once the third quarter rolled around, that’s all she wrote, as Houston was dominated again in the period following halftime. The Rockets were outscored by 15 in the quarter. en route to a 120-107 loss to the Pelicans on Sunday night. Christian Wood led Houston with 22 points. For some good news, Jalen Green continues to look better over these past four games. Green scored 18 points on improved efficiency. Garrison Matthews and Jae’Sean Tate provided their regular sparks with 18 points and 15 points respectively, but the Rockets needed more energy from the rest of the squad.

Brandon Ingram, by now a name-brand Rocket-killer, once again torched Houston, scoring 33 points to lead New Orleans. The Pelicans got another solid game from Jaxson Hayes, who scored 21 points and grabbed 7 boards, proving to be a real obstacle for Houston in the post.

These two teams will be back at it on Tuesday night for a rematch in the Big Easy. Hopefully the Rockets can rekindle that winning chemistry they found on their five-game road-trip last month. Expect the rematch to be more competitive. Houston knows quite well that it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a row. The Rockets aim to put some truth in that statement on Tuesday night by putting up more of a fight.

Rockets Host Pelicans in First of Home-and-Home

Part 1.    Bouncing Back the Birds.    Locking In.

Houston hosts the New Orleans Pelicans in the first of two straight games against the birds on Sunday night. These two teams will square off again in The Easy on Tuesday night. The Rockets are coming off a terrible loss to the Spurs, getting demolished, 131-106, in the Alamo City on Friday night. New Orleans has won two consecutive games, both on the road. Houston will aim to stop the Pels’ streak tonight.

After sitting in the 13th/14th spot in the West for most of this season, New Orleans hasn’t snuck up to the 11th seed, and trails Portland by only a half game for the final play-in spot. The Rockets will try and bounce back against the birds, and sent them bouncing back towards the back of the West. Zion Williamson still has yet to play this season for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram on the perimeter, and Jonas Valanciunas in the paint, will be the biggest threats for Houston’s defense. If the Rockets can contain the Pels’ two best players, Houston has a good chance to make it two wins in a row at home.

It’s essential the Rockets lock in on the defensive end if they want any chance of winning the first part of this mini-series against the Pelicans. This game will come down to who plays with more energy and hustle defensively. The Rockets gave up 131 points two nights ago. That can’t happen tonight, or the birds will sweep in and grab their third straight road win. The schedule gets increasingly tougher approaching the break after Sunday night’s billing. This matchup could be Houston’s best chance to grab one more win before the All-Star break.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (20-32):  White “City Edition”

Houston Rockets (15-37):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Demolished by Spurs, 131-106, in Another Blowout Loss

Texas-Sized Beatdown.    Lost in the Third.    Not Joshin’ Around.

At halftime, this game didn’t appear headed towards Texas-sized beatdown. But the Spurs outplayed the Rockets in third quarter, seizing control of the game, and dealing Houston a 131-106 loss in the process. The Rockets fought back from double-digits to make it a three-point deficit at the half, but San Antonio outscored Houston by 17 in the critical third period. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 28 points. Jakob Poeltl was a beast in the paint, scoring 21 points. And Dejounte Murray added 19 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, as San Antonio had too much firepower for the Rockets.

Josh Christopher had his best game as an NBA player. The rookie registered 23 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 29 minutes of action. Don’t just peek at his stats, Christopher’s defense and hustle was also impressive. He’s improved lightyears since the beginning of this season, and is way ahead of schedule. Christopher hasn’t been Joshin’ around for the past few games now, and could be a legitimate All-Star down the line in his career. Alperen Sengun also had an impressive scoring night, putting 18 points on the board. Christian Wood had a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards, but the Rockets didn’t play with enough defensive intensity to win this contest. 

Since their 7-game win streak, which feels like it was last season, the Rockets have struggled immensely to string two wins together. After an impressive win over the Cavaliers in their previous game, Houston got blown up by the Spurs at Toyota Center. Will this group ever win consecutive games again this season? Only 30 remain now for the Rockets, as we wind down towards the NBA’s final stretch. Houston has a good a chance as any in their next two games, as they face the New Orleans Pelicans twice. Although, the Pelicans have won two straight games… so it may not be as easy for the Rockets as the schedule makes it

Rockets Visit Spurs in Another Chapter of I-10 Rivalry

Three You Again.    Start of Seven.    Closing the Gap.

On Friday night, Houston squares off against the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in as many weeks. The Rockets took the first matchup in San Antonio on January 12th, 128-124. Twelve days ago, the Spurs prevailed victorious in part 2, smashing Houston by 30 points, 134-104, at Toyota Center. Tonight’s Round 3 between these instate-rivals is being held in the Alamo City, where the Spurs are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat last night. The Rockets cruise into San Antonio after snapping an 11-game home losing streak with a win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday. San Antonio’s best player, Dejounte Murray, has missed two of the past three games for the Spurs, and is questionable for tonight’s matchup. Obviously Murray’s presence (or lack thereof) will make a big difference in the third round of this rivalry. It shouldn’t matter to the Rockets, who’ve already beaten the Spurs in San Antonio, on a night when arguably Murray had the best game of his career. Houston needs to focus on keeping their turnover rate low, and ensuring they come out with a lot of defensive energy against the Spurs. The road team has won both of the previous contests, and the Rockets will aim to keep that trend alive tonight. Houston better be prepared. Since the last time these teams faced off, the Spurs have had an immensely tough five-game schedule against the top-five teams in the NBA: Phoenix, Golden State, Memphis, Chicago, and Miami. San Antonio will be relieved to see a weaker opponent on the schedule tonight. The Rockets need to blast off from the opening tip and punch the Spurs in the mouth. If they grab a big lead like they did against Cleveland, Houston should be able to put San Antonio away.

Tonight’s game marks the first of seven remaining before the All-Star Break, which starts for the Rockets after their game on Februrary 17th. Houston enters the break with four extremely tough matchups. Before then, they’ll see these Spurs, and the Pelicans twice. It’s a chance for the Rockets to get a couple of wins before a grueling schedule meets Houston as they enter the All-Star break. The Rockets have shown they can beat the Spurs in San Antonio. However, Houston also lost to the Spurs by 30 points less than two weeks ago at Toyota Center. Effort is the key coming into tonight’s contest. Whichever team plays harder, and smarter, will prevail as the victor. Zach Collins, who last played for the Portland Trail Blazers in the bubble back in 2020, is expected to make his San Antonio debut for the Spurs tonight. Collins likely won’t play many minutes and shouldn’t be a big factor in tonight’s game, but when healthy he’s shown glimpses of promising talent.

Houston still sits in last place in the Western Conference. The Spurs are in 12th place, but with a win tonight, the Rockets can move to within one game of San Antonio in the loss column. Houston still has a puncher’s chance to sneak into the play-in tournament, but it’s still a long-shot. Games like tonight are ones the Rockets need to win if they seriously want to sneak into the playoffs. This young Houston squad is likely a few years away from postseason action, but they’re growing and improving with each game. After tonight, the Rockets return home to face the Pelicans on Sunday. It’s a short one-game road-trip for Houston, and part three in the I-10 rivalry… maybe the third time will be the charm for the Rockets, and result in another win in the Alamo City.

 

AT&T Center:  San Antonio, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-36):  Red

San Antonio Spurs (19-34):  White “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass