Category: Uncategorized

Harden,  Rockets,  Try to Bounce Back Against Pacers

“Warren”ting a Look.    Splash Gordon Returns.    Sneaky Indy.

James Harden returns as the Rockets battle the Pacers in their penultimate game of the regular season. Houston is coming off a beatdown from the Spurs that essentially put the Rockets out of reach for Denver and the three seed out West. On Wednesday afternoon, the second of a back-to-back for the Houston, the squad will get a look a sneaky Pacers team whose right in the thick of the playoff race out East. Oh, and they have arguably the MVP of bubble action so far, T.J. Warren. T.J.’s been absolutely on a tear, and trails only Harden in scoring during the seeding games. Russell Westbrook is resting for the Rockets, and Indy needs this game more, so don;’t be surprised if Houston drops another game in the loss column. It won’t mean anything.

What is meaningful is the return of Eric Gordon. EG’s been out with an ankle sprain, and the Rockets will desperately need him to be that third scoring option when defenses target Harden and Russ. Splash Gordon needs to use this game to start to find his rhythm before the playoffs start. Look for Benny Mac to get more looks with Harden back in the lineup, but unless the Rockets are on fire from deep, this contest is gonna be a tough.

The Pacers are one of the sneakiest teams in the league. They missed their best player, Victor Oladipo, for the entire season. But, with the coronavirus shutting sports down for months, Oladipo was able to rehab in time and recover to get back on the court. The Pacers are as threat as any team to come out of the wide-open Eastern Conference. It’s the penultimate game in the regular season for the good guys in red… let’s see if Houston can knock off one more game in the loss column for Indy.

 

AdventHealth Arena,  NBA Bubble:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Indiana Pacers (43-28):  Navy Blue

Houston Rockets (44-26):  “Classic” Red

 

TV:  3 PM CT  –  NBA TV,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Short-Handed Rockets Falter, Keep Spurs’ Hopes Alive in 123-105 Loss

All Due Respect.    Quick Regroup.    Rest Before the Storm.

Russell Westbrook retuned, but without The Beard, San Antonio’s sense of urgency overwhelmed Brodie and co. The Spurs outplayed Houston from the opening tip, demolishing the Rockets, 123-105, as they try to keep their season alive. Houston rested James Harden in this one, and we got to see the first bubble action of DeMarre Carroll. Basically, this was an experimental game for rotations and lineups D’Antoni will use in the playoffs. Brodie led the Rockets in scoring, but missed a ton of easy layups and was a little out-of-control, leading to too many Rocket turnovers. Jeff Green had another solid game with 17 points. the NBA journeyman’s proven to be the perfect fit in Houston, where he’s playing some of the best basketball of his career, in his mid 30’s. Ben McLemore wasn’t quite as sharp from deep, but still had 16 points, as he’s proven to be a consistent role player for the Rockets when the playoffs get under way.

DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, as the Spurs controlled the game from start to finish. One thing they can’t control: their own destiny. San Antonio needs to win out and hope Portland and Phoenix each lose a game for the Spurs to continue their historic playoff run.

Harden got a breather with the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow against the much better Indiana Pacers. It’s a loss, but all due respect, these games happen, and with the Rockets lined up to be the four or five seed (with a slight possibility of still catching Denver for third), the outcomes of the remaining games don’t mean much. The Rockets need to focus on getting healthy, and getting their bodies in the best shape for the playoffs, which are days away.

Houston regroups quickly with a chance to put the pieces of their blowout loss to the Spurs in the past, quickly. The Rockets play another matinee affair on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. Indy is a solid playoff team out East, still positioning themselves in the best spot for the playoffs. It’ll be Houston’s toughest game left before the playoffs. Hopefully the squad regroups and gets an impressive victory.

I say impressive, because Russell Westbrook will now be resting. However, James Harden returns, which is always good news. Speaking of good news, Eric Gordon is expected to see court time on Wednesday against the Pacers. Hopefully Splash Gordon can find his rhythm quickly, as Houston’s struggled lately offensively, especially early on in games. The Rockets need EG at his best in the playoffs if they want to reach their ultimate goal. And resting’s never a bad idea, especially before the storm that is the NBA Playoffs: the games that really count … when the sense of urgency gets dialed up to the moon.

Texas Tussle in the Bubble:  Rockets Look to End Spurs’ Historic Playoff Run

Subbing Brodie for the Beard.    Historic Opportunity.    Final Western Imprint.

“That’ll be the day,” John Wayne says in the legendary Western The Searchers. Houston battles their final Western opponent before the real games start. The Rockers are yet again without key players as they face the Spurs, a team fighting for their playoff lives. Houston is searching for a way to put an end to San Antonio’s historic playoff run as the Texas squads battle Tuesday afternoon, a rare matinee affair or the Rockets. Houston is 4-1 in the bubble, Tuesday’s game begins the final regular season stretch of the season. A brutal three games in four days stretch against quality competition. The Spurs are 4-2 in the bubble, and despite their lack of talent, Coach Gregg Popovich will surely have his squad ready to go Tuesday afternoon. The Rockets will be without James Harden. The Beard isn’t injured, he’s only resting. Still, a rare sight, but a smart idea by Coach Mike D’Antoni, with three games in four days coming up for Houston. Danuel House Jr. should get the start again for the Rockets. House has been exceptional knocking down threes, attacking the basket, and most noticeably on defense, where he’s joined the likes of Houston’s perimeter pests, Robert Covington and Ben McLemore.

Fortunately, Russell Westbrook is expected to return for Tuesday’s matchup against the in-state rivals. Eric Gordon is still out with an ankle injury, but he’s expected to be ready to go Wednesday against the Pacers. If Ben McLemore, Austin Rivers, and the GreenHouse is in full effect, the Rockets should be able to take the Spurs out of the playoff picture. Something that’s not been said in over twenty years.

Houston has an opportunity to put an end to San Antonio’s historic playoff-run. The Spurs have made the playoffs in 22 straight seasons, and as a division rival, the Rockets would love to seal the door shut on any hopes for San Antonio to keep up their historic run. It won’t be easy, against a Spurs team with their backs to the walls. Gregg Popovich always has his guys ready to play, and there won’t be any blowouts in this afternoon matchup. Houston needs to feed off Westbrook’s infectious energy in order to match San Antonio’s sense of urgency.

This is the final game against a Western conference opponent for Houston. Their final two games are against Indiana and Philly. With the Nuggets losing to the Lakers on Monday night, the Rockets have a legitimate chance to catch Denver for the three seed. But, unless they can somehow get the Clippers to fall to fourth, Houston can’t avoid facing both L.A. juggernauts in the playoffs. At least by then, Splash Gordon will be back, and no one will be out for load management. Harden and Russ are two of the most durable players in the game. A healthy Rockets team for the playoffs, in this bubble, means possibilities of a championship celebration in October, as they search to claim the ultimate goal. Oh my, how sweet it would be… that’ll be the day.

 

The Field House, NBA Bubble:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

San Antonio Spurs (31-38):  Black

Houston Rockets (44-25):  Red

 

TV:  1 PM CT –  NBA TV,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Cruise Past Kings,  129-112,  Behind Rivers’ Career Night

Splashing Rivers.    Mac and Threes.    Kings of the Southwest.

“A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that,” the title character says in the legendary Western Shane. The quote brings to mind Houston’s most recent victory, a 129-112 pummeling of the Kings, in which the Rockets loaded guns continue to rarely miss. Houston trailed by 13 points early, as has been the case in every game in the bubble, except against L.A. Red Nation rallied once again, regrouping in the second quarter, snuggling a five-point lead by halftime. James Harden finished the contest with 32 points, and snatched 3 steals. Harden passed the legendary Bob Petit (the NBA’s first ever MVP) on the all-time scoring-list. The Beard now leads the league in scoring… and steals. And they say he doesn’t play defense. Harden also has the most blocks as a guard since his time in the league. Don’t believe me? Look it up. This victory, however, was about much more than the Beard. Austin Rivers became the fourth Rockets this season to hit the 40-point mark. Rivers scored a career-high 41-points on an insanely efficient 14-for-20 shooting, including 6-for-11 from distance. Austin used Westbrook’s absence to continue to be aggressive, and he put that tenacity on full display against Sacramento. A willingness to make isolation plays that Houston needs in the playoffs, when defenses will focus in on Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon.

Speaking of focusing in, Ben McLemore continues to be red-hot from beyond-the-arc. Benny Mac finished with 20 points, connecting on 6 of his 14 shots from long range, and continues to be the hottest three-point shooter in the bubble. The Rockets are now 8-0 when McLemore hits the 20-point scoring mark in a game. Hopefully Benny Mac doesn’t lose his rhythm when the squad gets back to full strength. McLemore’s minutes will decline, which will likely affect his shooting, just not by much (I hope). Westbrook returns Tuesday against the Spurs, and Eric Gordon is rumored to return Wednesday against the Pacers.

Eliminating Sacramento also gave Houston their third straight division title. The Rockets are the Kings of the Southwest once again. All it means is the Rockets have clinched at least a top-five seed going into the playoffs. With the Nuggets losing to the Lakers, the Rockets have a shot a grabbing the three-seed, and even with a little luck, the two-seed. But, in all reality, seeding doesn’t matter, the Rockets will have to play both L.A. juggernauts (unless one gets upset dramatically in the first round), to get to the NBA Finals. It’s not an impossible task. But they need to continue to put themselves in the best position possible. With teams like Utah and Oklahoma City losing to try and avoid a first-round matchup with Houston, if the Rockets can win their final three games, the Jazz or Thunder’s plan will backfire on them. Russell Westbrook returns for Houston in their next game Tuesday against a Spurs team fighting for their playoff lives. The Rockets can end San Antonio’s 22-year playoff run with a win. Although, Houston will be resting Harden. Brodie’s return should provide enough energy for the Rockets to get an early matinee win. Look for Benny Mac to continue to the baddest man on the planet from three-point land. And Austin Rivers ain’t too shabby from distance either. Remember that.

Rockets Aim to Abolish Kings from Playoff Contention

Elimination Night.    Beware the Underdog.    Final Four.

It’s Elimination Night in Orlando on Sunday, as the Rockets take on the Sacramento Kings, trying to burst their bubble of hope. Houston can end the Kings’ playoff hopes with a win, or… pretty much put an end to their own hopes of catching Denver for the three seed. The Rockets will still be without Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon, but Houston has enough firepower to beat the worst West team in the bubble. Sacramento is young, and has a bright future, but their time isn’t now. And that could pose a problem for Houston if the Rockets continue to play down to bad teams.

Despite being the underdog, the Kings beat the Rockets earlier this season on a Bojan Bogdanovic buzzer-beater from three. Houston will be looking for revenge as they try and seal the coffin on Sac-Town’s season tonight. It won’t be easy. The Kings still have one of the best young point guards in the NBA, and arguably the league’s fastest player, in De’Aaron Fox. If the Rockets’ energy level is lacking, they could be in for a disappointment tonight. No energizer bunny in Brodie, Houston will have to find motivation elsewhere if they fall behind early, which has happened in every bubble game except versus L.A.

Sunday night marks the first of the final four games for the Rockets as we wind down towards the playoffs. After tonight, Houston still has to play the Spurs, Pacers, and Sixers, all teams still fighting with something to play for. Despite missing Russ, this is the Rockets’ easiest game left on the schedule. The three after tonight pose much bigger challenges, and in the playoffs… nothing’s easy. Hopefully Houston is blazing from the gate, a la Benny Mac, who’s been absolutely on fire and the best three-point shooter in the bubble. The Rockets need this game as the final three contests this regular season will be tough, scrappy battles. With Sacramento’s season on the line, and Houston trying to position themselves in the best playoff spot, tonight should be a lot of fun in Orlando. Strap in… it’s Elimination Night in the NBA Bubble.

 

ESPN World Wide Sports Complex:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (43-25):  “Space City” White

Sacramento Kings (29-40):  Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Harden’s Rockets Splash Past LeBron-Less Lakers, 113-97

Return of the Mac.    The GreenHouse Effect, Pt. 2.    Beating the Best.

Without the King for L.A., and Brodie for Houston, the Rockets and Lakers proved, at least under those circumstances, Houston’s the better team. The Rockets pummeled the Lakers, 113-97 on Friday night, for their third win in four games of bubble action. James Harden led the way for Houston with 39 points, 12 dimes, and 8 boards. Unsurprisingly, the Beard returned to form against a sub-par Lakers team missing the King. Harden shot 11-for-19, including 50% from deep, as he made just missing the 40-point mark look easy. The Rockets led by as many as 19 points, but L.A. chipped into Houston’s lead, getting as close as 5 points, before the Rockets put closed the door on the Lake Show’s chances. Whether you’re surprised by now or not, it doesn’t matter, he’s here to stay: Ben McLemore continues to turn in red-hot performances for Houston on a nightly basis. Benny Mac scored 20 points, second only to Harden on the squad, and shot 50% from long range. McLemore has been arguably the hottest three-point shooter in the bubble. If the rest of the role players on the squad can find a Benny Mac-type rhythm, the Rockets are going to be a tough out any night.

Speaking of role players… you know the name, only this time, it’s a different blend of Green: The GreenHouse Effect is back (with Jeff instead of Gerald Green this time around). Danuel House and Jeff Green have been superb along with McLemore in the first four games in the bubble. They took a step back from their trend of consistency from the perimeter, but nonetheless, against L.A. the two combined for 29 points, and their defense has modeled Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker’s relentless hustle at-all-costs attitude. As the Rockets continue to fight for seeding with the playoffs only games away, the squad needs the GreenHouse Effect dialed all the way up these final four games.

The Lakers didn’t have LeBron James on Friday, and really didn’t have anything to play for, but a win’s a win for Houston. And the victory gave the Rockets the best record in the NBA against teams with winning records. They’ve only lost the season series to one winning club, Chris Paul and the Oklahoma City Thunder. A potential first round-playoff matchup for the Houston, and as we near get closer ad closer it looks more likely that the Rockets and Thunder will meet in the first round. Russ vs. CP3 after getting traded for one another… what a series that would be. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Houston still has work to do if they want to get a better matchup in the first round. Up next for the Rockets: their worst nightmare… a team with losing record. Houston is 3-0 against winning teams, and 0-1 against losing teams in the bubble. On Sunday night, they’ll try and end that trend against the Sacramento Kings.

Rockets Look to Get Back on Track, Square Off Against Lakers

Absence of Stars.    No Peeking.    Harden Time.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” One of the great quotes from The Usual Suspects, and one that makes me think of tonight’s Rockets, Lakers tussle. A tilt, which will feature a slight absence of stars. No LeBron James for the Lakers. No Russell Westbrook for the Rockets. Facts that could mean problems for Houston if the Rockets aren’t ready to play tonight. LeBron has the highest basketball IQ of any player. He knows Houston plays down to their competition. LeBron knows the Rockets don’t bring it when other teams’ starts sit-out. This might be for injury or resting purposes, but I know what you’re up to LeBron. You can’t trick me. And Houston will need to be ready for a Lakers team that still has the most dominant big man in the game, Anthony Davis, playing at a very high level.

This was supposed to be one of the most anticipated seeding matchups in the bubble. However, with no Bron, and no Russ, the eagerness to see this contest is dialed down a bit. Neither LeBron nor Westbrook have serious injuries. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who are resting LeBron, and Russ could play if this was a Game 7. The real story here is neither team wants the other to see their firepower at full strength. As of right now, the odds are the Rockets and Lakers will meet in the second round, if not the Conference Finals. And this will be the last time they face off before then, when both teams will assumably be at full-strength. Neither squad wants to give the other a peek into their playbook while fully healthy. The Rockets should win this matchup, but they need the face (or Beard) of the franchise to step-up.

After scoring 49 points in a stellar opening night in the bubble, James Harden has struggled offensively for Houston. The Rockets need him to get back on track tonight, as they won’t have Russ’ energy on the floor to push the squad when they start to lag. Historically, the Beard has played well against the Lakers, and without LeBron, L.A. has absolutely no one who can come close to guarding Harden. Expect the Beard to have a big night for the Rockets, who will need to slow down Anthony Davis on the defensive end. AD will be the focus of LA’s offense tonight, and his size poses a nightmare for Houston. Double, even triple-teams might be required on defense. Resulting in open shots for Laker shooters, who hopefully won’t be connecting tonight. Harden and co. can’t afford to continue their bubble trend of falling behind early by double-digits. The Lakers are 43-0 when leading after three quarters. Houston needs to shoot for the lead entering the final frame tonight. The Rockets need to come into this game with the focus that LeBron is playing. He might not be on the floor in action, but LeBron’s presence will still be with his teammates. Houston has to play hard, treat this game like both teams have full rosters… and avoid falling prone to LeBron’s greatest trick.

 

The Bubble:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Lakers (51-16):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (42-25):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT –  TNT,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Blazers Rip Rockets, 110-102, as Harden, Westbrook Struggle

Good and Bad Deja Vu.    Sizing Issues.    Unlucky 13.

Old habits came back to haunt these Rockets on Tuesday night, as Houston fell to Portland, 110-102, for its first bubble loss of the season. The Blazers dominated on the glass, and used their size (and Damian Lillard) to take advantage of the game. Gary Trent Jr. hit some huge shots to keep Portland ahead as the Rockets tried to creep closer. Ultimately, it was none other than brief ex-Rocket Carmelo Anthony hit the dagger three-point shot to seal the win for the Blazers. James Harden and Russell Westbrook struggled. Brodie’s streak of 37 straight games with 20 points ended. Westbrook had only 15 points, and was a little too out of control in the clutch. Harden had another sub-par game with 23 points, and the Rockets just got outplayed by a Portland team who is much better than their record shows. The Blazers have a real shot at sneaking into the playoffs and playing the Lakers in the first round.

Jusuf Nurkic, Hassan Whiteside, and Zach Colllins all exposed Houston’s small-ball line-up, as the Rockets were outmanned and outmuscled on the glass. Nurkic especially dominated, scoring 18 points and snagging 19 boards. Still, Houston had a chance to win this game. They just didn’t execute down the stretch. The shooting of Dame, Trent Jr., and Melo’s clutch dagger won the match for Portland, along with their huge size advantage.

The Rockets have now fallen behind by 13 or more points early in the contest in each of their first three bubble games. Not a good strategy to live by if you want to consistently win basketball games. Living on the edge can be fun, but only for so long. Until reality comes back to bite. Houston needs to avoid falling in early holes. It takes too much exerted effort to trail by double-digits every night, and then try and make a comeback. Hopefully the Rockets reverse their trend in their next game against the Lakers. LeBron won’t be playing, which means Houston will let their guard down, but they can’t. Someone’s gotta step up and keep this team from reverting back to bad habits. And it won’t be Russ, the Rockets will miss his energy was he will be out with an injury as well. Houston needs Harden to step up and get back to the level of play he displayed in the opener. Mind-shaking step-back threes, strong drives to the lane, and clutch play by one of the league’s best. Old habits Houston desperately need to return on Thursday night.

Rockets Aim to Keep Blazing, Face Portland in Anticipated Launchfest

Bubble Blasters.    Close Calls.    Caution Time.

Houston looks to keep rolling in seeding game number three, where they’ll take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Both the Rockets and Blazers have played in close, competitive games in the first two bubble games. James Harden and the Rockets have played it dangerously, staging monumental comebacks in both their victories. Portland, meanwhile, lost a close one to the Celtics in their last game after narrowly beating the Grizzlies in their seeding opener. After attempting 61 three-pointers in their last game, expect the Rockets to be somewhere near that mark tonight, as the Blazers love to shoot from distance as well. Damian Lillard has been a Rocket-killer over the years, and his partner in crime, C.J. McCollum, is one of the most underrated stars in the NBA. Hopefully, Russell Westbrook continues to relentlessly attack the basket, and Robert Covington’s defense remains lethal on the perimeter. The Blazers are 30-38, and fighting for a playoff spot. Houston has a tendency to play down to their competition, and tonight the squad needs to attack the Blazers like they’re a contender.
If the Rockets play too cool for school tonight, the Blazers have more than enough firepower to blast by Houston. Jusuf Nurjkic is back in the lineup for Portland, after missing much of the season with an injury. Hassan Whiteside also gives the Blazers a dominant size advantage the Rockets will have to counter in the post. Despite being out-rebounded by 29 in their last game, Houston managed to find other ways to get the victory against the East-leading Bucks. The Rockets will likely be out-rebounded tonight as well, and need to make up for the margin by continuing to force turnovers for the opposition.

Expect a launch-fest tonight in Orlando, as two of the NBA’s most trigger-happy three-point teams square off, with a lot on the line. The Blazers are currently in the 9th seed, trying to fight off Memphis, San Antonio, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Phoenix for the final playoff spot. The Rockets are currently in fourth, and after a Clippers loss to the Suns earlier today, Houston is only two games out of the second seed, and a game behind Denver for third. Each win or loss makes a huge impact in the standings. With only six games remaining, the Rockets have a legitimate chance to sneak into the second spot in the West. However, they can’t take teams like Portland lightly. Despite their record, the Blazers are basically at full health, and much better than the wins and losses show. It’s a battle of two of the league’s best backcourts… Harden and Westbrook, vs. Dame and C.J. Expect plenty of long-bombs and another close, competitive game in the bubble tonight.

 

Orlando, Florida

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (42-24):  “Classic” Red

Portland Trail Blazers (30-38):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT – TNT,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Clamp City:  Rockets Defense Seals Late Comeback Victory Over Bucks, 120-116

Come at Me, Bro.    Relentless RoCo.    Maintaining Focus.

If it’s drama you want, then Houston Rockets bubble basketball is the place for you. The squad narrowly squeaked out another comeback victory, as the Rockets beat the Bucks 120-116 on Sunday night. James Harden said he wished he was 7-foot, and could just run over people to dunk the ball, which takes very little skill. Giannis is blessed with the type of otherworldly athleticism only comparable to LeBron James. Harden, being in superb shape, is still a mere human being, compared to the gifts height God gifted the Freak. Which made me think of this quote: “he’s quite clever you know… for a human being,” said by C-3PO in The Empire Strikes Back. Harden was clever enough to bait the otherworldly athleticism of Giannis Antetokounmpo into flailing and turning the ball over on multiple key possessions, resulting in a Rockets win. The Beard’s defense was stellar late on The Greek Freak. Anyone who says Harden isn’t playing on both ends of the floor isn’t watching (the Beard had six steals on the night). Houston found themselves in a similar situation as the opening bubble game against Dallas: down late, and rallying, this time a 16-4 run with 3 minutes on the clock, to come back for an impressive victory. It’s not a strategy that’s good for the heart, and it won’t work every time, but so far, the Rockets have played their best ball, especially defensively, when it matters most. Houston trailed by eight points with only three minutes remaining, but shutdown the Freak and Milwaukee defensively, allowing them to sneak by for a comeback victory.

Russell Westbrook continues to be quietly amazing. Brodie had 31 points, as he did against the Mavs, and relentlessly attacked the basket. 10 of his 11 shots were lay-ups or short jumpers. Russ only attempted 3 shots from long range, connecting once. This is the Westbrook the Rockets need if they’re going to be legitimate title contenders. Russ playing counter to Houston’s trigger-happy style of play from three-point land. Harden struggled from three, going 3-for-12 from deep, recording 24 points, 7 boards, and 7 dimes. Hopefully the Beard finds his touch from deep soon. A game against Portland awaits, one that presents a contest of aplomb three-point attempts.

Robert Covington continues to be a lethal threat on defense for the Rockets. I didn’t keep track, but RoCo got his hands on so many pass attempts, tipping the ball, forcing many of Milwaukee’s turnovers. I miss Clint Capela, but with Houston’s small-ball style, RoCo is definitely the better fit. The Rockets will need more of RoCo’s exceptional defense in their next matchup against one of the NBA’s best backcourts.

The Rockets have looked as good as any team so far in the early stages of bubble ball. With impressive comeback victories over playoff-bound Dallas and Milwaukee, Houston is proving they can play with anybody, and despite their size, the Rockets know how to win playing this style. Houston got out-rebounded by 29, were held to under 40% shooting, and gave up 116 points… yet still won the game. The Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win a game when giving up +110 points, getting out-rebounded by +25, and being held to under 40% shooting. Against the Bucks, Danuel House was 4-for-8 from long range. Every other Rocket struggled from distance (Jeff Green’s 3-for-8 not being too shabby). Houston needs a better shooting night in their next matchup. The squad now finds themself with the four seed in the West, only a game behind third. Hopefully, Harden and co. maintain focus, keep moving up. Next on the schedule is Damian Lillard and the Blazers, fighting to get into the playoffs. Whenever these two teams meet, the matchups are usually close and contested. With Portland’s playoff lives on the line, and Houston fighting for seeding position… expect the drama to continue in the Rockets’ next game.