Rockets Hit Cleveland to Fight Cavaliers, Praying to End Skid
A Tale of Two Cities. No Time to Lose. Last Chance.
“The world is arming faster than we can respond,” M says in Daniel Craig’s final bow as 007 in this fall’s upcoming masterpiece, No Time to Die. And as the Rockets take on a Cavaliers team that’s been one of the worst since LeBron James left, Hosuton’s last chance to save their season is tonight. A loss to the lowly Cavs, and at 11-19 through 30 games, the Rockets may as well go for tanking with 42 games left. If Christian Wood, John Wall, and Victor Oladipo are never going to see the court together, Houston’s chances this season are already dead. Ironically when the WOW Factor all play together (Wood, Oladipo, and Wall), the Rockets are undefeated, at 3-0. Sure, a small sample size, but it’s just a taste of what the squad’s potential could be if they could only assemble a full roster on the court. But in today’s day and age of resting on back-to-backs, and the coronavirus still hanging over the season, this year is the hardest in NBA history for any team to keep its full roster in tact. Houston with more injuries than the average team this season (like usual), is feeling the worst of this oddest of NBA seasons. The Rockets will try and snap their 8-game losing streak tonight in Cleveland, a game they’re more than capable of winning.
And Houston needs a victory tonight. A loss to Cleveland sports in general is embarrassing. Houston used to be a competitive sports team. And seemingly overnight, they’ve gone into full-rebuild mode with their pro sports teams. Especially, these Rockets, and everyone in the sports world has heard about the burning building set on fire by a preacher, the location known as the Houston Texans headquarters. The Rockets, fortunately, are in a better position than the Texans, but if they want any chance at sneaking into a playoff spot, they have to win tonight. It’s the 30th game of the season. Against another bad team. Although Cleveland getting better with their upstart backcourt, nicknamed “Sexland”, with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland leading the charge for the Cavs as one of the best young backcourts in the league.
The Rockets are going to need a bug game from John Wall if Houston wants to finally get a win on the board. Hopefully Wall’s driven enough to take these youngsters to school, and have a dominant performance, but if he doesn’t get help from teammates, particularly knocking down shots, and hustle, Houston will be in trouble. In Cleveland of all places. I didn’t think I’d say that for a long time. But time passes quicker with each day. And the NBA is armed up, loaded with teams primed with potential for bright futures. Most teams in the league are revving up, and getting better. Even the Knicks. There’s no more time to lose. The season’s on the line tonight… it’s time for the Rockets to respond.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse: Cleveland, Ohio
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (11-18): White
Cleveland Cavaliers (11-21): Maroon
TV: 6:30 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW