Deja Blues: Rockets Silenced by Jazz, 114-99, as Skid Hits 15 Games
Embrace the Tank. Star on the Horizon. Looming Changes.
Facing the best team in the NBA, the Rockets were heavy underdogs coming into Friday night’s showdown in Utah. Despite better effort than the previous night, the losing streak continued for the Rockets, as Houston fell in Utah 114-99, as the skid now hits 15 games for the squad. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 28 points to lead Utah. Savvy veteran Mike Conley added 20 points for the team with the NBA’s, best-record. And Rudy Gobert controlled the paint, notching 14 points and grabbing 13 boards, while also swatting six shots for blocks, as the Rockets had no answer for getting around the former back-to-back defensive player of the year.
Regardless, there was some hope to be found among all the noise in Utah. In only his second game with the squad, Kevin Porter Jr. had his best game as a Rocket. The promising youngster struggled from long-range, going 1-for-9 from beyond the arc, but other than that, KPJ, along with Christian Wood, looks like the future of the franchise. Kenyon Martin Jr. also had a stellar night in second game back with the team after playing in the G-League. KJ Martin scored 15 points and snagged 10 boards, as he and KPJ have thrived together on the court in their first two games, despite both losing both games. Maybe, just maybe, Houston can turn their dire situation around, and end the losing streak as they return home for a seven-game homestand.
After playing 14 of 19 on the road, the Rockets return to Houston for their next seven games. Hopefully a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center will bring an end to this losing streak that’s quite frankly, becoming embarrassing. Regardless of who or who’s not on the court, no professional team with any aspirations for success should lose fifteen straight games. Looming changes are on the horizon. P.J. Tucker will be traded any day now, and the rumors around Victor Oladipo continue swirling. A recent report stated the Rockets said Chistain Wood is their only “un-tradeable” player. Regardless of who or who’s not on the court, no professional team with any aspirations for success should lose fifteen straight games. Houston will host the Celtics to begin their homestand. And while Boston isn’t the best team in the NBA, the Rockets will find themselves playing the role of heavy underdogs once again in their next match.