Rockets Seek Different Result, Host Lakers in Rematch
A Night to Boogie. Backcourt Boost. Opposite Directions.
“The sky’s the limit for us,” new Rocket sensation Christian Wood said speaking on his team’s potential, as Houston prepares to host the defending Champs for the second straight game. And it’s night’s like tonight that’ll show if the sky really is the limit for this team. Houston is 3-5 in the standings. A win tonight puts them just game below .500 (4-5), while a loss plumes them three games below (3-6). The Rockets got smashed by the Lakers in their first meeting on Sunday night, 120-102, in a blowout that wasn’t close after the first quarter. DeMarcus Cousins was ejected early in the second quarter, with the Rockets trailing only 25-23, but that’s as close as Houston got. Boogie’s ejection swung the momentum entirely in L.A.’s favor, and the Lakers went on to feast on an inferior Rockets squad. If Houston has any chance to win the rematch tonight, they need Cousins to stay in the game. Boogie’s shown promise, despite playing limited minutes. The Rockets need him to help Wood contain Anthony Davis tonight. Cousins also gives Houston another big body to clog the lane, and force the Lakers to take three-pointers, not their specialty.
Boogie can play the entire game for all I care, but if James Harden and John Wall don’t have drastically superior performances than their ugly showing on Sunday night, the Rockets don’t have a chance to beat these Lakers. I know it’s still early in the season, and the team’s still adjusting to new coach Stephen Silas. But Houston’s running out of time. The Lakers are comfortably 8-3. A loss to put them at 8-4 would just be another loss for L.A., not a big deal. The Rockets on the other hand, can’t afford to fall to 3-6. That’s the cusp of a hole Houston has no business venturing down. If Harden and Wall don’t lead the way, and play with a sense of urgency, the Rockets are in trouble tonight. Hopefully, Houston’s backcourt realizes what they need to do on Tuesday night.
After tonight, the Rockets play 14 of their next 18 games on the road, and they still have yet to win outside of Houston this season. Which makes this game even more crucial. A boost by beating the best team in the NBA, and climbing back to within game of .500 is necessary for this Rockets team. Another loss, and Houston is looking at a dark road-trip ahead. After tonight, only 63 games remain. That may sound like a lot, but they go by fast. And if the Rockets dig themselves an early hole, and slip to 3-6, things won’t be looking so bright in Houston. Harden’s future, even though many think he’ll remain with the team for at least season, hangs in the balance. If this Rockets team can be competitive, and play like a contender, an elite team who could win the title, then Harden has a massively better chance of sticking around In Houston instead of sticking to his past trade demands. And as the Rockets battle the Lakers tonight, these are two teams headed in opposite directions. L.A. has won 6 of their past 7 games, and is fresh off a championship, favored to win again this year. Houston is off to a 3-5 start, with a copious amount of fresh faces and new characters. The Rockets have the talent to beat the Champs. Even though the Lakers may be the better team at this point, the Rockets boast 3 former All-Stars, and the breakout-player of the season in Christian Wood. A win tonight, and Wood might be right about this squad, the sky’s the limit for Houston. 4-5 after nine games, dealing with all the teams dealt with, isn’t too shabby. However, 3-6, with twice as many losses as wins, just paints an entirely different narrative. One where the sky may not be the limit in Houston… it just might be falling.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Los Angeles Lakers (8-3): Yellow
Houston Rockets (3-5): Blue “City Edition”
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW