Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Head to San Antonio for Battle with In-State Rival Spurs

The Worst of Texas.    Open Interior.    Returning House.

 

Tonight Houston battles a familiar divisional foe, the San Antonio Spurs, to begin a short two-game road trip. The Rockets take on a Spurs team that looks poised to miss the playoffs for the first time in 21 seasons. San Antonio is off to a rough start, with a 7-14 record on the year. In their previous game the Spurs got pummeled in a 34-point loss to the below-average Detroit Pistons. Expect Coach Gregg Popovich to have his team motivated and inspired to come back with a better performance tonight. Meanwhile, the Rockets are aiming for their third straight win, and look to keep climbing in the standings. Houston’s only three and a half games behind the Lakers for the top spot out West. Winning games against the lowly Spurs are the menial tasks the Rockets need to do throughout the season to ensure they finish as close to the top as possible. It sounds funny, saying lowly Spurs. Maybe because they’ve made the playoffs over the past two decades every season, and I’m not quite used to San Antonio’s club being subpar. They’ve housed the best team in Texas over the last two decades. Now, they’re officially the worst. A team I thought would finish 8th and sneak into the playoffs, now looks bound for the lottery, and rebuilding mode.

On Tuesday night, Houston needs to outrun the Spurs, and win the rebound battle. Look for San Antonio to come out hustling and with a lot of energy. Popovich certainly had a lot to say to his squad after their last game. The Spurs will be better tonight, but they shouldn’t be good enough to beat these Rockets. Divisional games are always tough, especially on the road. Houston needs to focus on the Spurs as a team with the potential to get back in the playoff race. There’s still a long way to go in this season, and San Antonio plays hard every night to counter the diminishing amount of talent that sits on the squad.

These Rockets are well-rested. They’ve played only one game over the past five days. Houston should have plenty of gas to the job done tonight in SA. Clint Capela returns from an illness tonight, but Danuel House remains out with a similar flu-like illness. Expect Ben McLemore to have another big game tonight, and Chris Clemons and Gary Clark will likely get open opportunities to shine as well. LaMarcus Aldridge is out for the Spurs, giving Clint Capela more space to operate in the interior. Don’t be surprised if Capela has another monstrous game on the glass, he should feast on a Spurs’ frontcourt missing Aldridge. San Antonio still has DeMar DeRozan, and a group that plays hard. Unfortunately for DeRozan, his defensive assignment tonight is James Harden. The Beard, fresh off a 60-point game and two days of rest, is primed for another big game tonight. It’s hard to imagine a player scoring 60, or even 50 points in consecutive games. It’s rare, but James Harden is a rare breed. If anyone is crossing the half-century mark in the NBA tonight, it’s Mr. Harden. Just look at the last time the Beard played the Spurs: he didn’t score 60… he scored 61.

 

AT&T Center:  San Antonio, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-6):  Black

San Antonio Spurs (7-14):  White

 

TV:  7:30 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Harden Cooks Up a 60-Burger, Rockets Roast Hawks, 158-111

Uncut Gems.    The Benaissance.    Open Opportunities.

“This is me. This is how I win,” Adam Sandler says in the trailer for the upcoming film, Uncut Gems. This quote came to mind after Saturday night’s torching of the Hawks. In only three quarters James Harden scored 60 points, and the Rockets blew the birds out of Toyota Center, 158-111. Scoring 60 in an NBA game is very rare, doing it in three quarters, in this league, is an uncut gem. The Beard gave witnesses another historic performance, an uncut gem that he seemingly fabricates with such ease. Harden is in the midst of a career season, improving aspects of his game even after his record-breaking campaign last year. The Beard has gotten better every season since he arrived in Houston. The city had never seen a 60-Burger before Harden came to town. Now, they’ve witnessed four courtesy of His Beardness.

Saturday’s matchup was never close. Houston led by 17 after the first quarter, and 29 at the half. And it wasn’t just the Beard’s 60-Burger that made Saturday a great night. Ben McLemore finally broke out of his shooting slump. Benny Mac had a career-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 6-for-11 beyond the arc. McLemore also had a career-high 13 rebounds, producing his first career double-double. With House and Capela out to injuries, McLemore was one of several Rockets who took advantage of the opportunity. Benny Mac even makes a case for a starting role. McLemore averages 17.4 points as a starter, compared to only 4.9 as a reserve. Due to Houston’s roster depth, McLemore won’t find himself in a starting spot without injuries, but his performance was encouraging, as Benny Mac continues to carve out a bigger role on Houston’s roster as the season moves along.

Chris Clemons continues to be red-hot from deep. CC3 scored 16 points, including 4-for-8 shooting from downtown. Gary Clark struggled shooting the ball, going 1-for-5 from the field. However, the UC still found a way to make an impact. Clark had 6 boards and 3 dimes in 24 minutes of action. Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 7 points and 5 boards in 5 minutes. These players are all competing for more playing time. Once Eric Gordon, Clint Capela, and Danuel House are all healthy, these guys won’t see close to the amount of action they’re seeing now. These stretch of games serve as open opportunities for McLemore, Clark, Clemons, and Hartenstein to show they deserve bigger roles on the roster.

One guy who needn’t worry about his roster spot: James Harden. The Beard absolutely cooked the Hawks on Saturday night. Harden was on fire, connecting on two-thirds (16-for-24) of his shot attempts. Trae Young had 37 points to lead Atlanta, but they really never had a chance against Houston. The Hawks were coming off a tough overtime loss in Indiana on Friday night. They visibly had tired legs, which Harden and the Rockets feasted on immediately. The Rockets did what they were supposed to do, and put Atlanta away early. It won’t be this easy most nights for Houston.

Looking ahead, in this crowded year of great screen performances, it won’t be easy for Adam Sandler to receive a nomination for his role in the highly anticipated Uncut Gems, but he’s got a realistic chance. He’s not favored at the moment, but there’s still time before Oscar nominations are released. This season’s playoffs will be more highly anticipated than ever before, and Houston isn’t the favorite, but they’ve got a realistic chance. The Rockets will need some playoff uncut gems from the Beard if they ever want to truly get over the top, and win a title in the Harden era. The Beard’s never scored 50 points in the playoffs. Opposing defenses are better in the postseason, but if Houston wants a championship, Harden needs at least 2 or 3 uncut gems in the playoffs. For the Rockets to beat the NBA’s best in June, they need Harden to be at his best. The versatile ways the Beard wears his opponents down to win games. His underrated defense, overlooked passing ability, and leadership. But, most of all, it’s scoring the rock… it’s how he wins.

Rockets Ready to Teach, as Trae & the Young Hawks Glide into H-Town

Rested vs. the Weary.    No Mercy for the Weak.    In Good Company. 

Tonight, Houston debuts their new SpaceCity Saturday City Edition jerseys that they’ll wear on every Saturday game throughout the rest of the season. For the premiere, we have a matchup pitting the rested versus the weary. Houston hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, looking to put a new winning streak together. Atlanta lost a tough overtime thriller in Indiana last night, wasting a 49-point effort from their superstar, Trae Young. Tonight is the Hawks’ third game in four nights. Meanwhile, the Rockets haven’t played since Wednesday. Both squads meet in Houston on Saturday, and the Rockets need to pounce on a tired Hawks team. Taking rest out of the equation, Houston’s also more talented and experienced than the Hawks, and should win easily. However, the Rockets will likely be without Clint Capela and Danuel House, both under the weather. Tonight gives Gary Clark and others who don’t usually see as much action, an opportunity to step up and show their potential to Coach Mike D’Antoni.

In their previous game, the Rockets snapped their 3-game losing streak in a win over the Heat on Wednesday. Houston now has a record of 12-6, and has yet to fall to a team with a losing record. What’s most impressive about this stat, the other teams (Lakers, Bucks, Raptors, Heat) are all contenders to win their conferences. Houston’s in good company. The Hawks have lost 9 straight games (NBA’s longest current skid), are 4-15, and tied for the worst record in the East. James Harden and the crew need to continue to show no mercy to the weak. The Rockets will be using their 5th different starting lineup in as many games tonight. Still, there’s no reason for Houston to lose this game… unless they went to South Beach to party last night. Rumor has it, thankfully, they stayed in town.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook should be ready show one of the league’s young stars, Trae Young, how a contender in today’s NBA plays the game. Young is coming off another astonishing performance. Atlanta’s sophomore sensation dropped 49 points in their loss in Indiana last night. The kid has tons of talent, and will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. However, at this point in the young man’s career, Trae simply doesn’t have the talent around him to produce a winning product on the court. Young’s future in this league is bright, and he seems to be getting better by the week. Houston just needs to teach him a lesson or two, in what playing against a Hall-of-Fame backcourt feels like. The Rockets start a stretch where 12 of their next 16 games are against teams with losing records. Houston needs to take advantage of this stretch starting tonight, as the Rockets look to continue building on their last win, and put a new streak together. For any team, it’s tough playing the night after a tough overtime loss. For the Hawks, it should be even tougher. Atlanta’s young, and the rest shouldn’t play as much of a factor as it would to team like Houston. Nonetheless, rested or not, these Rockets should beat these Hawks every time they take the court. Hopefully, Houston seizes the opportunity and uses their fresh legs to blow the birds out the building… and start SpaceCity Saturdays with a bang.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Atlanta Hawks (4-15):  Red

Houston Rockets (12-6):  “City Edition” White

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets End Skid, Burn Heat, 117-108

Seeing Double.    Second Quarter Blaze.    Earning Time.

As one streak ends, another begins. Houston ended their 3-game losing streak on Wednesday night, with a 117-108 victory over the Miami Heat. From the tip, the Rockets were all business, as they built a 24-point halftime lead that allowed them to cruise throughout the second half. James Harden led Houston with 34 points. Teams are beginning to use the same defensive approach against the Beard. Opponents are sending double teams at Harden right after he crosses mid court, a counter not seen on the professional level this frequently over the past 4 games since I can remember. Ever. Harden still managed a line of 34 points, 6 boards, and 5 dimes, and proved no matter the defensive scheme, the Beard won’t be stopped. His co-star, Russell Westbrook, had 27 points, 9 boards, and 7 assists. Danuel House scored a career-high 23 points, on 7-of-11 shooting. The Houstonian continues to be excellent night-in and night-out, and doesn’t miss a beat if he misses a game or two due to injury.

The final score is much closer than this contest played out. Houston used a second-quarter blaze to run past the Heat, and take total control of the game. The Rockets outscored Miami, 39-19, in the second period on Wednesday. Contrary to the first time these squads battled, Houston locked in defensively to even the season series at one game. The Heat scored 46 points in the first quarter in the first matchup that saw Houston get plundered in one of the franchise’s most embarrassing defeats. On Wednesday, Miami scored 42 points in the first half. The Rockets made sure there would be no repeat of the horrors that occurred in Miami earlier this season.

Clint Capela missed Wednesday’s game with an illness, and is listed as day-to-day. Gary Clark, saw the biggest difference in playing time due to Clint’s absence, and didn’t disappoint. Clark saw a season-high 29 minutes of action, and scored 12 points while grabbing 8 boards. The Cincinnati-product has been outstanding every time he’s earned the trust of Coach Mike D’Antoni, and seen playing time. Unfortunately, due to Houston’s extremely deep roster, Clark hasn’t seen as much court action as he’s deserved. His performance on Wednesday night was another indicator, no matter the squad’s depth, that Clark deserves a spot in Houston’s rotation. He’s too efficient and smart, which energy and grit to spare, to be rotting away at the end of the Rockets’ bench. Gary Clark has earned the time, it’s time D’Antoni puts a little more confidence and trust in the young player. Clark has the potential to emerge as a top role player in the NBA, but hasn’t gotten the proper chance to show what he can do outside of a small sample size. Maybe that will change in Houston’s next game.

The Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, and will be without Capela and House due to illnesses. Atlanta is one of the league’s worst teams, and Houston should be able to build a big lead to give Clark playing time. He should see time even before the Rockets earn a big lead. Clark’s earned the time to show what he’s got on the court. He rarely makes a mistake, and brings energy and hustle on every possession. If the Rockets want to avoid the mistake of losing to one of the NBA’s barnburners, Clark needs to see ample playing time, and Houston’s new streak will continue.

Heat-Check: Miami Comes to Town, as Rockets Look to Kick Vices, Losing Streak

Caught in the Middle.    Harden Classic.    On the Edge.

“I gotta hold on to my angst. I preserve it because I need it. It keeps me sharp, on the edge… where I gotta be,” Al Pacino says in the classic crime caper, Heat. The Houston Rockets, now owners of a 3-game losing-streak, host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The Miami squad that was up by 20 within half a quarter in their first meeting. The Heat team that took the entire Rockets squad to school. Houston should be motivated to get revenge for their worst loss of the season: an old-fashioned beatdown saw the Heat lead by more than 40 points on different occasions throughout the contest. Although, that matchup was never a contest. Houston needs to be primed to break their slide tonight, and be the hotter team from the start. If the Rockets don’t play with an edge, their losing streak could run to four after tonight. Which would put this squad on the edge, slotting further down the standings in the West.

Wednesday night’s game is vastly important. It ends this brutal four-game stretch, one in which Houston yet to win a game. Tonight’s matchup was Houston’s easiest out of the four before the stretch began, and hopefully they end this tough part of the schedule on a hot note. The Heat, tied for second in the East, are one of the better teams in the NBA, and showed that to Houston in these squads first matchup. However, some cast members won’t be making appearances in tonight’s show. Jimmy Butler is questionable with an illness for Miami, as is Clint Capela for Houston. These factors shouldn’t affect the game’s outcome. James Harden’s playing. And it’s time for one of those signature performances. The Beard cooked Miami last season and looks to avenge his poor outing in their previous matchup. The Rockets need a Harden Classic now more than ever. Houston’s slipped in the standings, and a loss tonight likely moves them down another notch out West.

After looking like prime contenders, the Rockets now look like a team caught in the middle. A squad with the talent to win it all, surrounded by the pressure of a title window closing and closing, yet still not shut. Houston needs to figure out who they are, now. There’s no time for games. This season, a low seed, an you could be ousted by the eventual champion in the first round. If the Rockets want to play the best team other than themselves in the conference finals, they need to get their act together. Houston needs to remember that angst from this season’s first Heat game, preserve it, at least for tonight. Harden and the Rockets are being pushed to the edge, but this Houston team has prevailed this season when pushed to the brink. At 3-3, they won 8 straight. Now, after dropping 3 in a row, the team is staring at 11-6, and potentially 11-7, if they’re not on edge tonight. Houston plays sharp when they’re on edge, and maybe, just maybe, a win tonight will keep the squad on the right track… where they gotta be.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

Jersey Colors:

Miami Heat (12-4):  White

Houston Rockets (11-6):  Black

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Mavs Shoot Down Rockets, 137-123, Houston Loses 3rd Straight

Early Bird Gets the Worm.    Failure to Launch.    Losing Ground.

“Some people are so far behind in a race that they actually believe they are leading”, Uncle Jun’ says at one point during HBO’s legendary series The Sopranos. Three games ago, in this long race that is the NBA season, the Rockets looked like the leading contenders to win the title. Fast forward 3 games, and reality hits: Houston’s just another contender amongst roughly 6 teams. They got bounced on Sunday, 137-123, by a team that’s closing in on joining that group of contenders: the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic had another electric performance, and out-dueled James Harden. Dallas’ sophomore sensation finished with 41 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. The Beard finished with 32 points, 11 dimes, and 9 boards, but his Rockets were outplayed from the tip. Houston trailed by 16 after the first quarter, got within 5 points in the middle of the fourth, but were never really in the game. The Rockets bench was outscored 28-11, as the Mavericks were the better team on Sunday. And Doncic was the best player on the floor, making another MVP-caliber statement with his dominant performance. Hopefully, it wakes Harden back up. He still had 32, and one rebound shy of a triple-double, but the Beard’s leadership wasn’t as powerful as Doncic’s and the Rockets lost as a result.

It was an earlier start than usual, 2:30 PM local time. Maybe the Rockets just weren’t ready yet. Clint Capela was ready. Capela had a another dominant night, with 21 points and 23 boards. Houston’s big man became the first player to record 7 consecutive 19 rebound games since Dennis “The Worm” Rodman in 1976. It’s too bad no one else on Houston joined Capela’s Worm Party. They say the early bird gets the worm, well the Mavs were the early bird on Sunday. Getting to lose balls first, out-hustling the Rockets, which resulted in a Dallas-friendly whistle all afternoon. Houston was coming off a grueling loss on Friday night in L.A., which makes them now 0-3 during this tough four-game stretch. A test they’ve now failed. This was supposed to be Houston’s launching pad to gain ground in the West. After this tough test, the Rockets have only fallen behind, from 2nd, now down to 5th in the standings.

The test isn’t over. Miami, the team that gave Houston a royal lesson in how to behave, comes to town on Wednesday night. The Heat are 2nd in the East, and will pose another difficult matchup for the Rockets. However, Houston’s home, is the better team, and should win the game. But if the Rockets don’t come out ready to play, and believe they can just show up and will be leading at the end of the game, they will be in for another disappointing loss. This isn’t the year to get a low seed in the postseason. The playoffs are going to be a merciless fight for survival the league’s never seen, specifically in the West. If Houston continues to sleepwalk through the regular season with the mindset that they’re leading the race, when they wake up, they’ll be so far behind that catching up may be out of reach.   

Rockets Return Home to Host In-State Rival Mavs

Cool Hand Luka.    Second Half.    Rivalry Renewed.

Houston tries to stop end their two game losing streak, as they return home for a Sunday matinee to host the upstart Dallas Mavericks. Their long-time in-state rivals have the best team they’ve had in nearly 8 years. Dallas is led by second year sensation Luka Doncic, who is having an MVP-caliber season. Luka is one of the league’s most entertaining players as well, and has Dallas as the surprise team in the NBA so far this season.

The Rockets went 0-2 during the first half of their current tough 4-game stretch. The second half begins today, and Houston needs more effort, and have to hope some shots fall, to beat a really good Mavs team.

This rivalry looks to be renewed. After being in the dumps, Dallas has one of the best teams they’ve had in years, and are poised to be good for at least the next decade. The Rockets will try and get the first win in these two, as the Kristaps Porzinigis-era of this rivalry starts today, in Houston. Rockets. Mavs. The Beard. Cool Hand Luka. The Unicorn. Brodie. Clint Capela goes for his sixth straight 20-rebound game. It should be fun. Don’t miss it.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Dallas Mavericks (10-5):  Blue

Houston Rockets (11-5):  Red

 

TV:  2:30 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Collapse in Final Minute, Edged by Clips, 102-99

Failure to Close.    True Enemies.    Looking Ahead.    

The Rockets couldn’t hold a lead in the final minute, and lost to the Clippers, 102-99, on Friday night. It was one of the most entertaining games of the season, and Los Angeles brought out the best in both teams. These two rivals will be enemies until the end of the year, when they’ll probably meet in the playoffs. What an epic series that would be. Only time will tell if it will happen. Houston hopes that a return home that break the skid. The upstart Mavs come to town, as the Rockets have another tough battle on their hands if they want to stop the losing streak at two games.

Rockets Sail into L.A. for Round 2 Against Archenemy Clippers

Act 2.    Craving a 40-Burger.    Beef Court.

Part 2 of the NBA’s beefiest rivalry begins Friday night, live from the center of the NBA universe, Los Angeles. The Rockets, coming off a loss in Denver where they were outplayed from start to finish, aim to rebound with an impressive win tonight. Round 2 presents the most difficult test Houston’s faced all season. The Clippers are riding a 3-game winning streak to start a 5-game homestand. L.A. got superstar Paul George back from injury to start the homestand, and are undefeated when he takes the court. The Rockets won the first matchup between these two heavyweights last week, 102-93, back in Houston. That match was the final game before PG13’s debut. George is off to a great start, averaging 28 points, and has a dominant presence on both ends of the floor as one of the game’s best defenders. James Harden and company need to play smart, and tough, if they’re going to grind out a win in part 2 of this epic series.

In this contest, Houston is going to need some sort of extra energy spark. Danuel House suffered a shoulder injury in Wednesday’s loss, and won’t be playing for the Rockets tonight. The injury isn’t expected to be serious, House is expected back Sunday, but his absence will be felt against one of the best teams in the NBA. The Rocket can do plenty of damage alone with the Beard and Brodie. Clint Capela’s the hottest big man in basketball. Capela’s grabbed 20 or more rebounds in 5 straight games, all after returning from a concussion that sidelined him for two games. Houston needs their big man to continue to feast on the glass, like it’s his own personal Thanksgiving dinner, if the Rockets are going to escape L.A. with a victory. Houston enters this game 7-0 when James Harden scores 40 points, and 4-4 when he doesn’t. The Rockets better hope the Beard is craving a 40-Burger tonight, without a dominant performance from Harden, the fully-loaded Clips will be a tough-out.

This rivalry presented plenty of beef in Round 1. Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly continued their ongoing feud, with Brodie saying after the first game that Bev doesn’t play defense. Clippers Coach Doc Rivers famously got ejected with his son, Houston’s Austin Rivers in the middle of all the drama. Austin waved goodbye and motioning for Doc to “call him” after the game. Expect former Rockets, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverly, and especially Montrezl Harrell, who was quiet last week, to be impact-makers for L.A. Round 2 of the league’s beefiest rivalry continues tonight under the bright lights of Staples Center in Los Angeles. Undermanned, Houston just might need a little extra beef, in the form of a Bearded 40-Burger, to escape L.A. alive.

 

Staples Center:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (11-4):  Classic Red

Los Angeles Clippers (10-5):  White

 

TV:  9:30 PM CT – ESPN

Mile High Misery: Streak Snapped in Denver as Rockets Fall to Nuggets, 105-95

Rocky Mountain Lows.    Missing the Green Light.    No Excuses.

After being favored throughout their win streak, the Rockets were slight underdogs on Wednesday night, and it showed. Houston’s streak and the Rockets fell in Denver, at the hand of the Nuggets, 105-95. The Rockets have yet to win a road game over a contender all season. Houston scored the least amount of points they’ve had in a game, all season. The Nuggets swarmed James Harden on the perimeter, resulting in a low Beard tally of 27 for the night. His teammates couldn’t hit open shots, and Denver controlled the pace, and the game, for all four quarters. The lone bright spot coming out of this game: Clint Capela, who had 21 boards. Over 20 for the 5th straight game. Capela has absolutely devoured glass, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, since returning from injury. He becomes the first NBA player to to accomplish the feat since Ben Wallace, in 2003 with Detroit. Houston just couldn’t hit open shots when they needed in Denver.

In more injury news, Danuel House suffered a shoulder injury, and didn’t return to the game. He’s questionable for Houston’s Friday showdown in L.A. House’s departure proved to have detrimental effect on Houston’s comeback efforts. His sharpshooting ability to knock down the open long bomb was sorely missed in this game after he went to the locker room. His partner in crime, Gerald “Green Light” Green, could potentially be out for the season, and hasn’t played all year. Green’s hustle and sharpshooting ability were missed in a game like Wednesday night’s, more than ever. The GreenHouse Effect, which become a local sensation last season, was needed desperately on Wednesday. Houston had the opportunities, but couldn’t knock down shots. Green is a streaky shooter, and always capable defender, who would’ve made a difference in Denver. It was also a game in which the Rockets could have really used Eric Gordon, still out with a knee injury. Sharpshooters were needed against the deep, versatile Nuggets, and none were to be found. Houston has no excuses despite the injuries on the perimeter. The Rockets are better than Denver, and will need to prove it the next these two squads face-off.

It’s exam season for the Houston Rockets. One of their biggest tests all year is coming up on Friday night. Houston faces their toughest matchup of the young season, and another early season test. A rematch, this time in Los Angeles, against their heated rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. Unlike last week, Friday presents a fully-loaded Clippers team. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both expected to play. George missed the first bout between the rivals. In round 2, the Rockets try and bounce back from their Mile High Misery, and finally get an impressive win on the road. They might be without Danuel House, but they’re no excuses for this Houston team. The Beard is coming off one of his worst games of the season. The Rockets have more than enough to bounce back. No altitude excuses if the squad doesn’t get it done. Other than these Clipper games, Denver, and Milwaukee, it’s been a cakewalk schedule for Houston so far this season. Sooner or later, if they want to be discussed amongst the favorites to win it all, winning games like Friday gets the conversation started.