Rockets Return Home Needing a Boost, Host the Nets
Good News, Bad News. Consistency Watch. Inside Help.
The craziness that is Houston Rockets basketball returns to Toyota Center on Saturday night. Since Christmas, there’s already a rumor swirling around about Russell Westbrook being part of trade rumors. Don’t listen to the noise. The Rockets won’t be trading Brodie, at least not this season. After a road trip that didn’t end with Houston cutting down the nets, the Rockets return home to host the Brooklyn Nets. Tonight’s game is the first of a back-to-back for Houston, who will travel to New Orleans for a game tomorrow night against the Pelicans. Harden and company are fresh off a four-game holiday west-coast trip that saw the squad go 3-1 during that span. It was a mostly cheerful trip, until the Rockets laid an egg and got beat by Warriors on Christmas. With the holiday spirit in the air, there’s also a fair share of good and bad news coming into Saturday’s tilt for Houston against Brooklyn. On the bright side, the Rockets did beat the Clippers in LA to start the road trip. Houston has no problem beating the league’s title contenders. It’s the losing teams that continue to drag the Rockets down the standings. Houston can’t seem to find any consistently when it comes to beating the NBA’s worst. The Rockets have five losses this month to teams at least five games below .500. If a trait becomes that frequent, it’s no accident, it’s a trend. A nasty habit Houston will have to break if they want any chance at getting the first seed. The halfway point of the season looms, with ten games remaining before the Rockets have played half a season. Plenty of time still remains for Houston to right the consistency ship, put some streaks together, and earn the spot they deserve in the standings. But, it’s up to them to do it. And they can start tonight, against Brooklyn. Not exactly, a losing team, but a squad the Rockets should beat at home. The Nets won the first matchup in Brooklyn earlier this season. Houston’s done a good job at bouncing back against team’s they’ve lost to this season. They’ll look to continue that trend tonight.
Unfortunately, Clint Capela is out with an injury, listed as a contusion. It’s extra unfortunate, given Brooklyn’s twin towers of Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan usually play great against Houston. The Rockets are going to need to work together inside to avoid getting hurt on the glass, to a point to where they can’t recover. The vet Tyson Chandler will start in Capela’s place on Saturday. Looking ahead, Eric Gordon is expected to return tomorrow for Houston when they play in New Orleans. EG has missed the last 6 weeks due to a knee injury. For now, the Rockets will have to fare one more game without him, and get past a pesky Nets team who just suffered their worst loss of the season. In fact, with Houston losing in San Francisco, both squads are coming off their worst losses of the season. Both teams will be itching to get back on the right foot. The Rockets need to take a stand, defend home court, and show that simply, they’re the better team. It’s a fact as long as Houston doesn’t take Brooklyn lightly. Although playing down to their competition is the Rockets favorite habit, and can happen on any given night this season.
The schedule gets tough after tonight, as the Houston heads to New Orleans to finish a back-to-back on the road (never easy), before hosting the Nuggets and 76ers, two of the league’s elite teams. Harden and especially Russell Westbrook, are due for better games than their Christmas offerings. Look for Houston’s superstar backcourt to have a bounce-back game tonight. Without Capela, they really need to drive the ball to the hoop with a sense of urgency. The open shots will always be there, but they’re not always gonna fall. if they’re not falling on Saturday, the Rockets need to address attacking the rim as the game’s number one key. Tonight’s matchup is a big game for Houston. They had a chance at the second seed, but with their loss on Christmas, fell to fourth in the standings. It’s packed in the Western Conference, and the Lakers have slipped within reaching distance if the Rockets could only put together four wins in a row. Houston needs to end the year on a high note, and start the decade on a roll. They’ve got the opportunity right in front of them over the next week. It’s time they answer the call. The boys are back in town… ready to cut down the Nets.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Brooklyn Nets (16-14): Black
Houston Rockets (21-10): “Space City” White
TV: 7 PM CT – NBA TV, AT&T Sportsnet SW