Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Face Injury-Riddled Grizzlies in Memphis

 

No Name Game.    Defensive Beard.    Exceptional Loss.  

 

After a grinding start to the season, the Rockets are finally getting their act together. Houston’s won 3 straight, and the squad is 12-2 Tonight, the Rockets take on the Grizzlies in Memphis. It’s the second night of a back-to-back, with Houston winning in Atlanta last night. The Rockets look to keep rolling victoriously as they face a battered Grizzlies team with approximately 8 players on their injury report for tonight’s matchup. Their will be a lot of players many fans don’t recognize, and the Rockets will be going up against an inferior opponent, who’s also depleted by injury. Memphis still has Mike Conley, but the Grizzlies are no match for the Rockets. Houston looks to win their 6^th straight game against the Grizz on Wednesday night.

James Harden’s defensive prowess hasn’t been talked about much. Maybe, it’s because he’s having a historically amazing offensive season. But, people need to start to recognize what Harden’s doing on defense. It’s time to give the Beard some respect. Besides the fact that he’s the best post-defender in basketball, Harden leads the league in deflections per game, and is tied with Paul George for first in steals per game. It doesn’t need to be talked about. But if Harden keeps playing defense at this level, and Houston surprises people this June, his defense will get more attention than ever.

The Rockets were looking for talent, but caught got up in the attention and highlight-reels of past that is Carmelo Anthony. It’s set in stone. He was not a good fit. And the Rockets have been blasting up the ranks since he left the roster. Since Anthony’s last game in a Rocket uniform, Houston is 41-20. A record that’s the best in the brutal Western Conference, and only second in the league to the Milwaukee Bucks. Houston should make easy work of the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Don’t expect much of a grind in the grindhouse. Although, the Rockets are fighting tired legs. This is their third game in 4 nights. They’re still playing against professional basketball players.   If the Rockets play down to their competition, Houston could have a problem tonight. Expect a grind in the Grindhouse.

 

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (45-26):  Red

Memphis Grizzlies (28-42):  Gray

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

Rockets Soar Past Hawks, 121-105, Take Third Straight Win

 

Threedom.    Every Team.    Extra Boost.

 

Someone provided an extra boost for the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Something he’s done in each game since his return. Danuel House Jr. The Rockets are undefeated with House back in the lineup and finished off the Hawks, 121-105, behind a strong team effort last night. Houston was hot from 3-point land, shooting 40% from beyond the arc. When the Rockets shoot at least 40% from deep this season, they’re 34-4. Houston had another third quarter 3-point barrage that allowed them to distance themselves from Atlanta en route to victory. Danuel House had a career-high 19 points, including a career-best 6 made 3’s. House continues to shine in all aspects of the game. His decision-making continues to be tremendous, and results in his incredible efficiency. House made some great passes, and was a plus-20 for the Rockets in Atlanta. His hustle and defense remain constants and contagious, changing this Rockets team from just another team, to the dark horse no one wants to face in the playoffs. Clint Capela had a strong game in the post, with 26 points and 11 boards. Chris Paul continues to play the role of master distributor. CP3 served up 11 dimes, and chipped in 13 points. And then there was James Harden. Who had a near triple-double, posting 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Beard has now scored at least 30 points against all 29 opposing teams in the NBA this season. A remarkable feat, that hasn’t been accomplished since Jordan did it in his heyday. Harden continues to play MVP-level basketball the year after finally winning the award. He deserves it again this season. The Beard may not be voted the MVP, but the league the guy who’s been serving up lessons all season long. James Harden has garnered the respect from his peers, as he continues to play the best basketball of his life. Kent Bazemore even posted a note giving an explanation of how and why he was put on the latest Harden-highlight reel. Harden continues to dominate the floor, but in a different way. The Beard now has 5-straight games with 10 or more assists. Back when so many players were injured, Harden had to do all the scoring. Now that everyone’s healthy, he can display his excellence as an all-around player, on both ends of the floor. The Rockets continue to get better defensively. Health is a major reason. The return of Danuel House Jr. may be the biggest reason.

Houston is 3-0 since House returned to the lineup. The Houstonian has 51 points in his first 3 games back in a Rocket uniform. House hasn’t skipped a beat since going to the G-League. In fact, he’s been even better. House looks more comfortable on the floor and has yet again earned heavy minutes into the Rockets rotation. Houston plays with a different ferocity with House on the floor. He’s not an All-Star, but he adds value to this Rockets team that cannot be measured. The intangibles House brings to along with his hustle every night. House is shooting close to 50% from 3, and has the poise confidence of an All-Star. James Harden called House “the perfect fit” and the Beard’s right. Numbers can’t measure a player’s ability to adapt and embrace his role. But House does that better than just about anybody in the NBA. And he just might be the extra boost Houston needs to go all the way.

Rockets Aim to Shoot Down Hawks in Young’s House

 

A Dozen Deep.    Surging Defense.    Balancing Act.

 

Entering the final dozen games of the season, the Rockets are healthy and ready to make their final playoff push. On Tuesday night they take on the Hawks in Atlanta, in the first set of a back-to-back. The Hawks are a bad team, with a record of 24-47, but have improved as the season’s gone along. And they have star-rookie Trae Young, who leads freshmen in points and assists since the All-Star break. Young has made the Rookie of the Year race more interesting with his improvement along the season. Dallas’ Luka Doncic will probably still win ROY, but Young has made it interesting with his stellar play over the last few weeks. Young put on a display in Houston in the two teams previous matchup, scoring 36 points. Houston withstood his offensive onslaught, and held on for the win. The squad will look finish with the same result in Atlanta.

The Rockets surge in play has been due to their health and defense. Houston can now go a dozen deep with their rotation. Coach Mike D’Antoni rested Kenneth Faried and Austin Rivers in the previous game as he begins to tinker with the lineup to see which rotation will be most effective for the playoffs. James Harden’s been struggling with his shooting, ever since suffering a wrist injury in his first game back from the break. The rest of the team has been rolling, and everyone, including Harden, has been playing exceptional defense.

Houston has turned up the notch on the defensive end. In their previous 8 games, the Rockets have held opponents under 110 points in each contest. In that span, they’ve had the 4^th ranked defense. The Rockets will always be a solid offensive team. Their defense was the aspect that got them within one win of the Finals last year. Now, it’s starting to get back to that level. Look for the Houston to shut Atlanta down. Despite their record, Atlanta’s had a better second half of the season and is 8-4 at home against teams from the West. The Rockets need to get a big lead early so D’Antoni can experiment with the rotation and guys can continue to rest and prepare for the playoffs.

Mike D’Antoni has a balancing act on his hands. How to make find playing time on a Houston roster that goes a dozen deep. It’s his biggest challenge. D’Antoni will continue to experiment as the Rockets try and put the best rotation together for the playoffs. A postseason that’s lining up to be the most competitive the West has seen in years. The Rockets have been gearing up, going 11-2 since the All-Star break. On Tuesday night in Atlanta, Houston looks to continue their surge and make it a dozen wins after the break.

 

State Farm Arena:  Atlanta, Georgia

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (44-26):  Red

Atlanta Hawks (24-47):  Blue

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

Rockets, Led by CP3 & Capela, Fend off Wolves, 117-102

 

CP3’s Fresh Returns.    Playing with a Full House.    Final Dozen.

 

         After a mild start to the game, the Rockets blasted off in the second half to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-102, on Sunday night. Chris Paul rested in Houston’s previous game, and last night looked fresher than ever on the court. The Point God led the Rockets with 25 points, 10 dimes, and 7 rebounds, in only 29 minutes of action. CP3 hit 6/7 from long range, and led a third-quarter shooting barrage for the Rockets that allowed them stay ahead of the pesky Wolves. Since the All-Star break, Paul in particular has brought fresh returns for Houston, and is the major reason the Rockets are an NBA-best 11-2 since the intermission. Those extra days of rest in the playoffs will pay dividends for CP3 and Houston, if he can remain healthy.

Clint Capela had a strong game going up against Minnesota’s All-Star, Karl-Anthony Towns. Capela finished with 20 points and 13 boards. The rest of the squad is finally active, and with the addition of House, James Harden doesn’t need to score 30 every night like he did earlier in the season when the Rockets were bruised and battered by injuries. On Sunday, Harden had 20 points, to go along with 10 dimes. Houston’s Coach Mike D’Antoni has a good problem on his hands. The entire team can play with confidence, but there are only so many minutes Coach can dole out in a game. The Rockets’ coach made some experiments in last night’s contest with his rotation.

D’Antoni and Houston are now playing with a full house. In the playoffs, rotations are traditionally cut down from 9 or 10 guys to around 7 or 8. Last season, the Rockets only played 7 guys in the playoffs. This season, Houston has 12 guys that can legitimately get playoff minutes. Rookie Gary Clark, is the player most likely to not see much time, but other than that, D’Antoni has 11 guys who all can play. With the exception of House, who continues to thrive, the Rockets have a roster full of experienced, veteran players. On Sunday night, D’Anonti decided to rest Austin Rivers and Kenneth Faried, 2 players who will certainly be in the playoff rotation for Houston. Coach said he was doing it for experimental reasons, but really, it was another tryout for Iman Shumpert.

Shumpert has been underwhelming so far in Houston, to say the least. The Rockets are hoping he will begin to find a groove, but he hasn’t shot the ball well from deep. Shump’s defense has been solid, but he’s been a liability on the offensive end. Shumpert saw 31 minutes of court-time, but only connected on 1 of 4 from deep, and was a minus-10 overall for the game. House, who plays the same position, has been ten times as valuable. Last night House had 14 points, on 5 of 6 shooting, and 7 boards in 28 minutes. Danuel House now has 12 games this season where he’s seen at least 27 minutes of action. In those contests, House’s shooting in all areas of the game is off the charts. He’s shooting 53% from the field, including an incredible 49% from 3-point range. House is also clutch at the line, going 24/28 in those games, for 86%. Houston has a 10-2 in games in which House plays at least 27 minutes. And Chris Paul didn’t play in the 2 losses. What does this mean? House will be getting plenty of playing time. Shumpert’s minutes are likely to be cut. His experience will be useful in certain situations in the playoffs, but at this point, House has rightfully earned more minutes.

Only a dozen games remain on the slate for Houston. The Rockets concluding schedule is fairly easy. Next up, the Rockets travel to Atlanta, and then Memphis, for a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Houston should enter the final ten game-stretch with 46 wins heading into a matchup against the red-hot Spurs. But, the Rockets are rolling and can beat anyone right now. Houston may even have a chance to snag the 2-seed from Denver. At the moment, the Rockets are 44-26, and 4 games in the loss column behind the Nuggets. However, Denver has a brutal schedule compared to the Rockets. The Nuggets have still have road games in Boston, Indiana, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Portland, Utah, and a March 28^th visit to Houston. A win in that matchup would earn Houston the tiebreaker if the 2 teams finished with the same record at season’s end. All the Rockets need to do is blaze through these final dozen games. After a slow start to the season, Houston is surging in the right direction, at the right time.

        

Rockets Host Wolves, Home Stand Comes to a Close

 

Primetime.    Subbing Stars.    Focus In.

 

The MVP debate continues to get closer, as we focus in towards the end of the season. Anyone who’s followed the Rockets closely this season knows James Harden is the clear-cut player who deserves the award. However, he’s going up against a lot of competition. Voter fatigue. The hate he inspires from others. Despite all of this, Harden continues to play like the NBA’s true MVP. The Beard put up the most versatile stat-line in the league in Houston’s win over Phoenix on Friday. Milwaukee’s “Greek Freak” had 52 points today, although in a loss. Harden is questionable tonight, as he’s dealing with a neck strain.

The Rockets and Timberwolves face off at Toyota Center on Sunday night in Houston. The Wolves won’t be headed to the playoffs, and shouldn’t be a problem for the Rockets. Although this team is better than the Suns team Houston barely beat on Friday night. The Rockets, as a team, need to come with more energy from the opening tip. Luckily for Houston, Chris Paul will be returning. Regardless if Harden plays, Houston should win this game. Minnesota is coming off consecutive losses by 20 points or more. The Rockets will try and add to that streak on Sunday night.

Houston’s 4-game home-stretch comes to an end tonight. The squad will try and put together another winning streak of their own before they hit the road for two games. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are still talented players who give defenses trouble. Clint Capela and the Eric Gordon has huge chances to thrive if Harden doesn’t play tonight. The Rockets need to focus in, and if need be, win one without their MVP.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

Jersey Colors:

Minnesota Timberwolves (32-37):  White

Houston Rockets (43-26):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW

 

House Party:  Harden, House lead Rockets over Suns, 108-102

 

He’s Back.    Brick Wall.    Post Up in the Shade.  

 

He’s finally back. No, the Beard. Not CP3. Not Clint. I’m talking about Houston’s own Danuel House Jr. After months of contract negotiations, Danuel House Jr. returned to action in for the first time in 25 games. On Friday night, House proved why he deserves to be a in a Rockets uniform. The NBA’s most valuable role player put on another display of defensive dominance and clutch shooting that helped lift the Rockets to a comeback victory over the Suns, 108-102, on Friday night. House finished with 18 points, on stellar shooting, which he’s provided the entire season. House shot 6 of 11 overall, including 4 for 8 from long range. The most valuable asset the man brings is his basketball IQ. Specifically, House knows where to be on every play. His keen sense-of-spacing on the court is uncanny for a player with his amount of experience. House knows when to attack, and he knows when to stand back. Always at the right time. He had two huge blocks and hit several clutch 3’s to propel the Rockets to victory over Phoenix. House changes things for Houston, in the best possible way. Danuel House plays hard on every, single play.

The only person who comes to mind that brings House-level energy and hustle, is P.J. Tucker. Tuck’s one of the best corner 3-point shooters in the league. But, P.J.’s inconsistent from the field. (you CANNOT say that about his effort and energy). House has consistently shot the ball well in almost every game Houston’s let him play in this season. In 13 games as a starter, House is shooting a whopping 48% from beyond the arc. His effort matches Tucker’s, but aspects of each one’s games balance out. Which works for the Rockets. P.J. Tucker is the toughest man you will ever come across on a basketball court. And, the player most comparable to a brick-wall. Danuel House is more consistent than P.J., who can have off shooting-nights, as been witnessed too many times this season. House also plays well in tandem with James Harden. He knows when to help out and when to let the Beard do his thing. It’s like they can read each other’s minds on the court. And, it’s amazing to watch. Just watch they’re spacing the next time they’re on the floor together. You won’t hear this discussed in the media, but Harden is more comfortable around House. Why? I don’t know. But for some reason, House’s presence brings out a more lethal Harden. Maybe, it’s House’s selflessness, or maybe they just click. But go back to the win over Golden State on Jan. 3^rd, Houston’s most impressive of the season, and House was the 2^nd most valuable perimeter player for the Rockets (Capela had a huge night in the paint), besides the Beard.

Speaking of Harden, he returned to MVP form. The Beard torched the Suns for 41 points, 9 boards, 11 assists, 6 steals, and 3 blocks. A crazy stat-line, that displays Harden’s versatility. He’s not just a scorer. And he plays defense. Believe it or not, but James Harden is the best post-defender in the NBA, period. He’s been irritating and disrupting the league’s top big-men in the post all season. The Beard made the league’s preseason ROY in DeAndre Ayton, look like just another rookie. Harden’s defense in the post, and overall has improved as the season’s moved along. If you’re a big in today’s NBA, posting up on James might not be the best idea. You can try. But, you’ll lose sight of the ball. Harden attacks the ball and uses his strength to bait big men into thinking they have a mismatch. The Beard’s ability to switch gears on defense, another form of his manipulation, is something that has been fooling opposing bigs on offense all season.

Harden’s post-defense has been a marvel to watch. He literally has the keenest of abilities to strip the ball and disrupt whomever he’s guarding in the post. Big men still don’t see it coming. Yet, time, and time again, they try and score on Harden in the paint. With House back, the Rockets are in full-force. Similar to how Harden’s underestimated on defense, the Rockets are discredited as contenders by NBA “experts”. These experts might be wrong. We’re still a long ways from the playoffs, but House’s return makes me comfortable. This team can finally run it back. No, no to the Western Finals. All the way to the Championship. If Houston keeps trust in House, the trophy could finally be coming back.

Rockets Bask in Opportunity to Launch as Suns Arrive

 

Back to Business.    Launching Pad.    Get the House on Fire.

 

            It’s time to get back to business. The Rockets aim to prove Wednesday was just a small hiccup in the road. The Phoenix Suns arrive in town for a Friday night matchup. Houston should have no issues with Suns, unless they play down to their competition. Phoenix has young talent in Devon Booker and DeAndre Ayton, but as a team, they’re not a close to contending. The Rockets need to use this game as their launching pad to give them a boost for the rest of the regular season. Houston’s schedule is fairly easy in the remaining 14 games. Denver, meanwhile, has a brutal schedule. It took a Joker buzzer-beater to beat the Mavs in at home for the Nuggets. Houston still has a chance of grabbing the second seed. Look for the Rockets to play as a team tonight. Expect to see Danuel House Jr. begin to be reintegrated into the lineup. It’s always good when the House is on fire for the Rockets. It’s time to start warming him up.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Phoenix Suns (16-53):  Black

Houston Rockets (42-26):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

 

Rockets Comeback Falls Short, Warriors Travel By Houston, 106-104

 

Hosed.    Good Loss.    Wake-Up Call.

 

Houston kept the game close, but their comeback ultimately came up short. The Rockets sweep attempt of the Warriors came up short on Wednesday night. The Warriors walked away with the victory after the Rockets had stormed back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit. The refs, on the other hand, were tired, and wanted to go home. It was a late start. The latest in Houston all season. The game started at 8:30 PM local time and by the time the seconds were winding down to end the game, the officials simply didn’t care to if Stephen Curry travelled or not. And Curry did travel. Blatantly. In one of the most egregiously missed calls I’ve ever witnessed, they allowed the one-way player to hop, and then dribble again, essentially travelling and committing a double-dribble violation on the same play. Nonetheless, Houston should have won. The officials will never get it right. The Rockets have to know this by now, and they can’t afford to fall behind. Still, with poor officiating, the team never gave up and fought back to almost win in a valiant effort.

There’s no such thing as a good loss. However, for Houston, Wednesday night’s defeat was nothing to be ashamed of, compared to other losses this season. You could even say they returned to their earlier season trend of playing down to their competition. Despite the victory, Golden State didn’t play great. The Rockets defense wasn’t as good as it had been in recent games, but it still held the Warriors to 106 points, well below their average. If Houston’s offense hadn’t disappeared, they would have easily won Wednesday’s contest. The Rockets shots just weren’t falling, and the offense got stagnant at times in the game. Houston’s at their best when the ball is moving and everyone is getting in on the action.

The Rockets needed a wake-up call. They were cruising through the regular season. And, their confidence was getting too high after winning 9 in row. The squad needed a reality-check. Like the best NCAA teams, it’s always good to get at least a few losses instead of going into the tournament undefeated, therefore you’ve measured some adversity in the past. After cruising through the East’s elite, the Rockets got a slight check back to reality with their narrow loss to Golden State. Houston has plenty to work on. Integrating Nene into the rotation to help on DeMarcus Cousins, when these two squads inevitably meet again in the Western Conference Finals this May. And, most importantly, plugging Danuel House Jr. back into the lineup. House provided valuable assets for the squad, and when he played on the floor, the Rockets performed at a higher level. Until then, Houston will look to wade through the rest of the regular season and get the 2 or 3 seed for the playoffs. And when they meet Golden State, it should be close, but the Rockets will be ready, having learned from their mistakes.

 

 

Rockets, Warriors, Clash in Final Regular Season Matchup

 

The Champion’s Number.    Houston’s House.    Statement Game?

 

“The beauty of the NBA is that on Wednesday night we have an opportunity to send a statement”, Steph Curry said before his team’s embarrassing home loss to the Suns on Sunday night. Golden State’s guard already had Houston on his mind. How could he not? The Rockets have won 5 of the 6 previous matchups between the two teams, including last year’s playoffs. Tonight marks the final regular season tilt between Houston and Golden State, the NBA’s two best teams (despite what the records say). The Rockets know it.  And more importantly, so do the Warriors. They won’t admit it, but they know Houston is a legit threat to their title as NBA Champions. A sweep at the hands of the Rockets would send quite the statement back at Curry and his team.  Kevin Durant is out tonight with an injury for the Warriors, but Golden State, as always, boasts plenty of firepower.

The Rockets are red hot, riding the NBA’s longest winning streak at 9 games. Houston is looking to become the first team in the Steve Kerr-era to sweep the Golden State Warriors during the regular season. Like it or not, the Houston Rockets have the Champion’s number. Something about playing Golden State brings out the absolute best in the Rockets. They play their hardest, they play together, and they truly “Run As One”, as their slogan claims. Houston also plays hungrier than ever when facing the Champs. The Rockets aren’t over their loss in the Western Conference Finals last season. A series, they know they would have won had Chris Paul not gone down with the injury.

This regular season, Houston has dominated Golden State. The Rockets are 3-0 against the Warriors. But, it’s not just the record. Houston beat Golden State in the last game without James Harden, on the road. In the previous matchup, they beat the Warriors again in Oracle Arena, this time without Chris Paul and Eric Gordon. The Rockets have proven it doesn’t matter who they put out on the floor. They’ve got the Champs’ number. And as of yesterday, they got their House back.

Danuel House Jr. is a officially a Houston Rocket again.   The Houstonian reached an agreement with the Rockets and is signed with the team for the remainder of the season. House was sensational in his 25 games with Houston. The Rockets went 16-9, with House in the lineup. Many of those games were during Houston’s most difficult stretch of the season. Chris Paul was injured and the Rockets faced the toughest portion of their schedule. Meanwhile, House moved himself from an unknown bench player to a starter in a matter of games. The grit and energy he plays with made House a fan favorite. Houston realized they needed him if they’re going to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a title. The Rockets sent a statement of their own yesterday by bring back their House.

So, Steph Curry and the Warriors think it’s a statement game? I guess they feel the need to prove they can beat Houston. Considering they’ve done it once in their last 6 tries. And that one time was without Chris Paul against an inferior squad. Don’t let the records fool you. This Rockets team is better than last year’s squad. That group made it to within one game of the NBA Finals. Houston’s record may be worse, but this year’s team is a lot better. It just took a while to work out the kinks. And with Danuel House back in Rockets Red, Houston’s ready to make this year’s playoffs more than just a deep run, but a run to remember. Curry was right when he said Wednesday’s game is a statement game. It’s not a good look to get swept by any team in the regular season. Especially, when you’re the back-to-back defending Champions, with 5 All-Stars in their prime. Or maybe this Warriors team isn’t the best in the NBA this season. No matter who wins tonight’s contest, one thing is clear. Golden State will be the favorite heading into the playoffs, regardless of their record or seeding. They’ve earned that, and they should be the favorite. Although, something else has become clear as well. It’s been a crazy and wild NBA season. And anything is possible when Houston is healthy. Maybe, just maybe, the Rockets will emerge and dethrone the Warriors. How sweet it would be… the beauty of the NBA.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (45-21):  White

Houston Rockets (42-25):  Black

 

TV:  8:30 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW

 

Rockets Squash Hornets, 118-106, Win 9^th Straight

 

Early Boost.    Healthy Returns.    Back to the Flash.

 

Add another game to Houston’s winning streak. The Rockets put away the Hornets early, and made sure it was never close on Monday night. Houston defeated Charlotte, 118-106, to move their winning streak to 9 games. The Rockets withstood a stellar performance from Kemba Walker, to inch close to the top of the West. Walker had 40 points for Charlotte, and kept the contest mildly competitive. Houston’s defense jumped on the Hornets to the start the game. Charlotte managed only 19 points in the first quarter, and the Rockets held the Hornets to only 44 points at halftime. Houston held on in the second half. Led by James Harden, with 28 points and 10 assists, the Rockets staved off a Hornets comeback attempt, one that never got very close. A great sign for Houston as they keep bad teams out of games.

Monday’s game was only the second of the season with a completely healthy roster for the Houston Rockets. They’ve been relatively healthy since Clint Capela returned, but have had minor injuries to several bench players. Particularly Iman Shumpert, and Kenneth Faried. Capela had a monster night on the glass, and finished with 19 points and 15 boards. The Manimal’s return last night gave Houston a completely healthy squad, and the Rockets looked good having a full unit together. Faried didn’t miss a beat, returning to action with 16 points and 9 rebounds. They led by 29 points at one point in the contest over Charlotte. The Hornets aren’t a contender, but the Rockets are finally beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. It’s a trend that follows championship teams. And it was missing earlier in the season for Houston.

Eric Gordon’s shooting was also missing at the start of the season. But EG’s finally returned to form. Slash Gordon continues to roll for the Rockets, and scored 22 points on the evening. Flash Gordon has arguably been Houston’s most consistent offensive player since the All-Star break. Slash Gordon’s ability to drive to the basket, combined with his lethal shooting from deep, makes EG hard to contain when he’s playing at potential. And Splash Gordon has been huge during the Rockets’ current winning streak. Gordon’s aggressiveness on both ends doesn’t get enough attention. He commands focus from defenses and it opens up so much for the rest of Houston’s offense. EG also is a strong defender, and isn’t afraid to back down from anyone on defense. They’ll need EG to continue his resurgence, as the Golden State Warriors come to town as the Rockets next opponent. It’s the last matchup between the NBA’s 2 best teams. Houston will be facing Golden State with a healthy roster for the first time all season. They’re also looking to become the first team to sweep Steve Kerr’s Warriors in the regular season. On Wednesday night, the Rockets have a chance to add an impressive victory to their winning streak.