Buzzy Affair: Rockets Battle Hornets, Homestand Comes to an End
Game 50. Staying Put. Closing Strong.
The Rockets embark on their 50th battle of chance this season, as a highly unpredictable season in Houston Rockets basketball continues. Tonight, the Charlotte Hornets come to town, as Houston tries to makes this season moren predicatable. Charlotte is 16-34, and one of the worst teams in basketball. Houston is 31-18 heading into game number 50 on Tuesday night, seeking their sixth win in the last eight games. All advantages point in the Rockets’ favor. A Tuesday night home game with the Hornets has James Harden and 50 points written all over it. Just seems like the kind of game where the Beard will erupt… and he’s long overdue for a big night. Granted, Harden’s coming off a 40-point affair, but the Beard was nearly averaging 40 a month into the season. A long-awaited Harden 50-Burger is within reach. Houston has more rest coming into tonight… Charlotte played last night, while the Rockets haven’t played since Sunday afternoon. Houston’s at home, where they’ve played better, as opposed to away from Toyota Center. And the Rockets are plain and simply, the better team. The Hornets are in rebuilding mode, still trying to figure out the centerpieces of their franchise. The Rockets, working towards their ultimate goal of a championship, have all the pieces in place… as long as they don’t make matters more difficult for themselves.
Speaking of difficulties… tonight’s game is a buzzier affair than usual. Clint Capela’s name is currently in trade talks with several teams, as Houston seems intent on trading their big man. Personally, I think the move would kill any chances the Rockets have at a Championship. Sure, the small-ball lineup’s worked for a few games, but in the playoffs, Houston needs to keep their big-man. The Warriors aren’t in the running this year (the only team Capela struggled against last year), and Clint’s currently working through an injury. When Capela’s been healthy, he’s outplayed some of the NBA’s best big men, including Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert in the past two postseasons. Capela’s more than held his own when healthy, and had a run earlier this season when he was nearly a 20/20 machine, putting up close to 20 points and 20 boards a night. Houston needs to have a little patience, and instill more faith and confidence in their big man. The Rockets have one of the best young centers in a league that’s rapidly getting rid of the position. Houston can’t afford to throw Capela away for future assets, or less value. And there’s not a better big man on the market than Clint Capela. The Rockets are best off staying put, and praying their entire squad can be blessed with health when the playoffs roll around.
Tonight marks the final game of a Houston’s 3-game homestand. The Rockets will try and make it a perfect triplet of games with a victory tonight, before they head West for a short two-game trip against the Lakers and Suns. All signs point to Houston winning tonight, but when that’s been the situation entering a game this season, the Rockets have often pulled the rug out from under out expectations. Anything can happen tonight. With new Clint Capela trade rumors swirling, and the Lakers looming… this matchup against a bad Hornets team has the slight feel of a trap game. Houston has to be ready to play, and treat their opponents with respect. Get a big lead, and maybe this exhausted Rockets rotation can get a breather before the upcoming back-to-back on the road. Look for Houston to get a rare easy victory in game 50 of this season, before the squad hits the road for the final 32-game stretch. It will be very telling, how this game is played out, where Houston is at the 50-game mark of the season. And hopefully, this isn’t the last game with Capela’s name on the roster. Whether they believe it or not, Houston isn’t winning a ‘chip without Clint. I know the numbers say the Rockets are 9-1 without Capela. But I believe the numbers don’t tell the entire tale. In general, this Houston team plays better when they’re short-handed, or feel like they’re the underdogs. It’s when the Rockets are completely healthy, at full-strength, when they’re at the most dangerous to themselves. The squad gets too cocky, arrogant, or full of themselves to overcome their own ego. A lot of this comes down to waiting for the playoffs, and Houston knowing this season is championship or bust. It’s hard to take all these regular season games seriously when you know in your heart you can beat anyone, and the playoffs are all that matter. But if the Rockets don’t start getting some easy victories to ease the wear-and-tear of guys like Tucker and Harden, they won’t have any gas left for the playoffs. Peaking further down the road, Houston’s definitely running into a big man, whether it be Anrthony Davis, Jokic, Gobert, or Embiid, in the playoffs this spring. And without Capela, their own big man, Houston won’t stand a chance.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Charlotte Hornets (16-34): Blue
Houston Rockets (31-18): Black
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW