Rockets Aim to Get Back on Track in Charlotte, Visit Hornets
Short-Handed in Charlotte. Bounce Back. Block Out the Buzz.
The buzz around Houston’s drastically changed since this week started. What a difference two games make. At the start of this week, before Monday’s loss in New York, the Rockets were imitating world-beaters. Two losses later, and people are doubting the Houston’s ability for sustained success with their innovative micro-ball style. The squad has to block out the buzz, and show the league this two-game slide is their last of the season. Houston begins a weekend back-to-back in Buzz City as they take on the Hornets. Charlotte is 21-41 on the season, and despite being short-handed, the Rockets have no excuse to lose to another inferior Eastern opponent.
Houston will be without Russell Westbrook (rest), and Eric Gordon (knee injury). Gordon hasn’t looked right in the past few games. The Rockets need him to be at full strength for their small-ball style to reach optimum potency. James Harden needs to put the squad on his back tonight. The Beard’s struggled mightily in his last two games, and the squad needs him to perform at an MVP-level tonight. The Hornets are peskier than their record tells.
Despite their record, Charlotte is no joke. The Hornets gave the Denver Nuggets, a team Houston’s chasing, a scare in their previous game. Charlotte also beat the Raptors in Toronto, and made the Bucks sweat in a closer game than expected. The Rockets need a mental re-adjustment entering Spectrum Center on Saturday. It’s the first of a back-to-back, and Houston really needs to start separating themselves from the pack if they want a chance at the second or third seed in the West. The Rockets have the Jazz, Mavs, and Thunder all on their tail in the playoff race. Houston still has a chance to break into the second or third spot, but they literally cannot afford any more bad losses… or their ceiling for seeding will be fourth. It’s time to kill the lingering buzz over the Rockets’ incompetence… starting with a victory over the Hornets.
Spectrum Center: Charlotte, North Carolina
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (39-22): “Space City” White
Charlotte Hornets (21-41): Purple
TV: 4 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass