Rockets vs. Mavericks Post-Game 1/4/21

Rockets Fall in Frustrating Fashion to Mavs, 113-100

Pondering Toss.    The New Jet.    Not Enough Beard.

“New system. We’re definitely still adjusting. Can’t forget about that,” Eric Gordon said after Houston’s disappointing 113-100 loss at home to Dallas on Monday night. It’s not an excuse, and the team is still adjusting, with John Wall, Christian Wood, DeMarcus Cousins, and plenty of other new Rockets, including a new coach, in Stephen Silas. The coolest cat in the room almost lost his cool, and rightfully so, as DeMarcus Cousins was ejected in arguably the worst call of the entire NBA season. Boogie simply argued a call like every player does after it doesn’t go his way, and was thrown out. Cousins has a reputation for barking at refs, but this is a new and improved DeMarcus, and he had no right being thrown out of Monday’s contest. It’s especially frustrating, considering how well Boogie was playing. He only saw limited action due to the ejection, but Cousins seemed to be on pace for his best game of the early season. We’ll have to wait to witness that. His first technical was a very questionable double-tech, and the ejection was downright based on his reputation. Official John Goble simply didn’t want to deal with officiating Cousins on Monday night, and given the slightest crack of opportunity, he tossed him out game with glee.

Boogie’s ejection is by no means why Houston lost to the Mavs, with Dallas leading basically from start-to-finish. Luka Doncic led the Mavs with a sensational triple-double, scoring 33 points, to go with 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Despite those gaudy numbers, it was Doncic who was the real thorn in the Rockets’ side, the finishing dagger. That role on Dallas belonged to Tim Hardaway Jr., who, when he plays Houston, resembles a form of Ray Allen in his prime. Hardaway is the new Jason Terry, a former Mav who used to always have big games against the Rockets. And it seems now Hardaway Jr. has assumed that role, always having monstrous games offensively against Houston. Don’t believe me? Look it up. The Rockets will have to be more prepared for THJ next time these two Texas rivals meet.

There are very few players for whom you look at the box score, and see 21 points, and it stands out in an odd way. But for James Harden, who’s going for a league record fourth straight scoring title, and averaging before Monday 37 points a game, 21 points does stand out quite a bit. Houston simply didn’t get enough from Harden, who, along with the rest of the squad, just had an off-night offensively. John Wall posted an underwhelming 14 points. Despite trailing nearly the entire game, the Rockets tied it late in the fourth and had a chance to take the lead several times in the quarter, but the Mavs continued to hit big shot after big shot. Most of them being from Hardaway Jr. and Doncic. Houston was without Danuel House, and Ben McLemore is still out, but the Rockets need to start winning and get a comfortable peek above the .500 mark. They can’t afford to fall behind early in the standings this season. Who knows what’s in store this year and how the pandemic will effect the league, now operating outside of what seemed like the perfect bubble in Orlando last year, in the future of this upcoming season. Up next for the Rockets, they face one of the best teams out East to start the season, in the Indiana Pacers. As for Monday’s game, it was a frustrating loss. The Boogie ejection spiraled things out of control in a night that never seemed destined to be in Houston’s control. The Rockets got a painful reminder from Mr. Hardaway Jr. that Dallas boasts more weapons than just Luka Doncic. Houston simply can’t forget about that.