Rockets Seeking Magic in Dark Times, Orlando Visits H-Town
Desperation Time. BIG Problems. Fighting Fatigue.
It’s a story that’s been aired out and tired to the point where Rockets fans are sick of hearing reminders: Houston losing to bad teams. That happened again on Saturday, as the Rockets lost to the Hornets in embarrassing fashion after starting the game without a point in the first seven minutes. Houston rallied back within striking distance, but could never overcome early hole they dug for themselves. The story’s deeper than just another loss to another bad team. After looking like the best team in the NBA last week, the Rockets are now shocking the worst team in the league. Houston will try and break their three-game slide against the Magic, but it won’t easy, despite Orlando’s losing record. It’s the second game of a back-to-back, and another earlier start (consider daylight savings time, and it’s earlier to the players bodies. Which isn’t good for the Rockets, who always seem to struggle during earlier games than their normal 7 PM start.
Orlando is better than the team that claimed Houston as its latest victim, Charlotte. The Magic are currently in line for the East’s final playoff spot. Disney World’s team boasts one of the best and underrated front-lines in the league. Expect to see Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon to give Houston trouble in the paint. Gordon has especially come on after a slow first half, and has been in a double-double groove of late for Orlando. If the Rockets don’t come ready to play, they won’t have any magic to save them from a loss on Sunday.
Will the theme of Houston’s season finally change? Or will the Rockets continue to cave to hungrier teams with less talent? Sunday should give fans some direction of where the team’s headed. A back-to-back during with an earlier than usual start, also known as a recipe for a Rockets nightmare, Sunday’s game won’t be easy. Orlando’s fighting for a playoff spot, and can pose big problems for Houston inside. Westbrook’s return should snap the Rockets out of their funk, but this game has an eerie aura. Houston can’t just play around against an inferior team with Brodie back in the lineup. Especially given the squad’s recent evolution into one of the most embarrassing teams in the NBA, anything can happen on Sunday… there’s magic in the air.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Orlando Magic (28-35): Black
Houston Rockets (39-23): White
TV: 6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass