Rockets Battle Lakers in First Meeting Since Elimination
Home Cookin’. Unchained Thoughts. Early Test.
“You had my curiosity. But now you have my attention,” a quote from the 2012 film, Django Unchained that brings to mind tonight’s epic showdown in Houston. The Rockets and Lakers square off in the first of a two-game set on Sunday night (they’ll suit up again on Tuesday). It’s the first time Houston gets a look at LeBron James and L.A. since the Lakers eliminated them from the playoffs in last season’s bubble. And it’s the first time this Rockets team, fully healthy, gets a shot a true title contender, in the Lakers, favored by many to win it all again this year. However, Houston wants to make some noise, and climb back above .500 with a couple wins over LeBron and company. It’ll take a team effort, with the defensive intensity we saw from the Rockets in their season-opener, disregarding the result, they lost that game, they played hard and looked like athletes trying to win, competing at the highest level. That’s what Houston will need tonight against the best team in the NBA. Hopefully their allotted and assorted fans dispersed throughout the Toyota Center will give the squad a boost, motivate the Rockets to beat the Lakers, and get back to .500 on the season.
Despite having a limited capacity of fans, Harden and Houston have fared much better at home as opposed to on the road. The Rockets are 3-1 at Toyota center, while remaining winless (0-3) on the road. And Houston has won 14 of the last 18 home games against the Lakers in the regular season. The Beard usually plays well against LeBron James, and the LakeShow in general. If Christian Wood continues his level of play, especially against a player of Anthony Davis’ caliber, arguably the NBA’s best center, it’ll be a great sign for the Rockets. John Wall needs to dominate L.A.’s feisty point guard, Dennis Schroder, and the depth Houston put on display last night will all be available tonight, except for Danuel House Jr., who’s still out with back spasms.
This is by far the biggest game the Rockets have played all year, and they do it all over again on Tuesday night, as this is the first of a two-game series against the Lakers. It’s difficult to beat any pro team twice in a row, let alone the champs. Houston needs to secure this first game, and get back to .500 on the season, while putting any fears of falling to 3-6 on the season to rest. If the Rockets can’t beat this Lakers team, that’s where they’ll sit in the standings after Tuesday. But, Harden and his new partners in crime are more than capable of taking down the Lakers. Maybe even twice. They could also lose both of these games. With both squads expected to contend, the odds are it will be a split, but only time will tell. Houston gets an early test on Sunday night, one that will tell a lot about this team’s future, and where the Rockets stand as a unit eight games into the season. It’s been a start full of new players, adjusting to a new coach and new teammates, injuries, and the hovering coronavirus cloud. Both teams are fairly at full-strength. No excuses tonight. Los Angeles has a lot of new pieces as well. But, Houston has to have a stronger sense of urgency, and at least take this first game from the Lakers. Sunday will answer many questions about Houston’s heart and potential. The first seven games showed us glimpses of what could be, they piqued our curiosity. But this game, on Sunday night, during primetime… will have everyone’s attention.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Los Angeles Lakers (7-3): White “City Edition”
Houston Rockets (3-4): Red
TV: 6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW