Rockets Visit Mavs, Renew I-10 Rivalry
Quicksand. Battle of Tired Legs. Improbable Dream.
“You tend to breathe hard when you get excited,” Mel Gibson says as the titular character in the film Maverick. And as the Rockets, fresh off a hard-fought, breathless win over the Pistons, visit Dallas to take on the Mavs. It’s the second night of a back-to-back, for both teams. Dallas won a close game in San Antonio last night. Expect Houston’s test in Dallas between these Texas rivals to be a battle of tired legs. The Rockets put on an all-around team effort in their gutsy win over the Pistons, as they avoided a disastrous collapse. Houston can’t afford to play games like they did in Detroit. Not with Luka Doncic and the Mavs, otherwise the Rockets will find themselves growing in quicksand. Tonight’s game will require everyone in Rockets white to leave it all on the floor. Houston is still severely undermanned, and are the obvious underdogs in tonight’s Texas-tussle.
The Rockets escaped the first part of this back-to-back with a nail biting win in Detroit. If this game in Dallas is close, Houston’s in trouble. But the improbable dream of going undefeated this weekend remains in reach. Luka Doncic has had a somewhat underwhelming start to the season, but is starting to heat up, and play like the MVP most expected him to be this year. Luka’s a closer, and if this one’s close, the Rockets will have to pray Doncic has an off-night. Otherwise, Houston will have to settle for a 1-1 split over this shorthanded road back-to-back. Expect David Nwaba, Jae’Sean Tate, and a handful of Rocket players to take turns trying to stop one of the NBA’s most lethal players. Kevin Porter Jr. won’t make his debut tonight, as it could be some time before the young newcomer makes his debut. Porter Jr. hasn’t played all season, and needs to get in game-shape before considering taking the court for some minutes.
Hopefully, this is the last game the Rockets play with John Wall sidelined. Coach Stephen Silas said Wall is expected back after the weekend, and with two days off after tonight, don’t be surprised to see Wall ready to take on the only other team he’s played for… the Washington Wizards, on Tuesday night. For now, Houston is still without Wall and Wood. Hopefully Oladipo can put on a show reminiscent of his Rockets debut in Chicago on Monday, when he scored 32 points with 9 dimes. Houston needs Victor to play up to his All-Star capability, and the Rockets as a team need to, as Sterling Brown said, “just go get it”, in reference to the basketball, the game, the win. Dallas won the first matchup earlier this season in Houston, 113-100, giving the Rockets their first home loss. This was way back when Houston still had a guy named James Harden. As for tonight, whoever wants it more, breathes harder, and plays like their life’s on the line wins this matchup. And who knows? With the parity ton start this NBA season, we could be in for an upset in Texas… it’s time to get excited.
American Airlines Center: Dallas, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (5-9): White
Dallas Mavericks (8-7): Green
TV: 8 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW