No-Show: Rockets Late to their Own Party, Blown Out by Mavs, 130-106
Nothing to Offer. Pompous Comfort to Agonizing Reality. The Kick-Back.
As they honored the legendary Houston broadcaster Bill Worrell, the Rockets unfortunately had arguably their worst game of the season. Houston got out to an early 6-2 lead, but that’s when things began to go south for the Rockets in this battle of Texas rivals. By the end of the first quarter, Houston already trailed Dallas by 20, and the squad wouldn’t get any closer. The Rockets were blown out of their own building, 130-106, by the Mavericks, on Bill Worrell night of all days to sour the wound. Houston simply played with no effort. Dallas didn’t even have their two best players, Luka Doncic and Kristpas Porzingis, yet had no issues manhandling the Rockets. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 19 points, and Dallas had five different players score 15 or more points. Adding insult to Houston’s lack of injuries, the Mavs didn’t seem to miss from long range, and punished the Rockets poor defense all night.
Christian Wood led Houston scorers with 20 points, but the Rockets were clearly suffering a hangover from their previous win. Kevin Porter Jr.’s game-winner carried over to certainly affect the proceedings at Toyota Center on Friday night. The team as a whole was too comfortable. Their in-state rival Mavs came they a kick in the face it appears they needed. After trailing by 20 at home all night, Houston can only seeming go up from here in their next game. Hopefully the Rockets turn on the jets and get back to business.
Up next, Houston hosts Minnesota in the first of a back-to-back on Sunday night. At least it would seem affairs on the court can’t get any worse for the Rockets. Expect a motivated Houston squad to play with more effort in their next contest. That legendary game-winner’s in the past, and hopefully these 20-point home losses are as well.