Rockets Face Nets in Showdown, Harden Returns to a Houston Full House
Boss Level. From the Alamo to Brooklyn. How Sweet It Is.
“Hey are you like that guy, the one from Taken, who has a particular set of skills?,” a side character asks the lead role in 2021’s criminally overlooked Mel Gibson time-travel thriller, Boss Level. And as the Rockets still grasp the NBA’s longest winning streak, that guy, the one who had a particular set of skills for over 8 years as the lead role in Houston, James Harden, returns to the city, hell-bent on ending his former’s team’s winning streak. The Rockets host the Nets in what is is season’s biggest game at Toyota Center. These young Houston players have shown resilience throughout their winning streak. It’s hard to win six games in a row in this league. Despite the fairly easy schedule over the past games, the Rockets still took care of business. And that’s easier said than done against any team in the NBA. On Wednesday night, Houston is facing as tough an opponent as they’ll encounter all season. The Beard makes his return, and despite his slow start to this season in Brooklyn, expect him to have a big night for the Nets. Due to the coronavirus, it’s Harden’s his first game back in H-Town with a capacity crowd as the setting since he left Houston in disappointing fashion near the start of last season. The Rockets will rely on Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who can somewhat contain a Beard-led outburst. The problem for Houston is Brooklyn, despite being without Kyrie Irving so far this season, still boasts arguably the most talent on any roster in the league.
Harden isn’t even the best player on his own team. That would be Kevin Durant, whom many people believe is the best player in the world right now. KD usually plays well again Houston, but Durant usually plays well against everyone, so that’s not saying much. KD and Harden will be a handful for this young Rockets team. If this was a video game, tonight’s battle is the Boss Level for Houston. After winning six in a row against mainly inferior competition, the Rockets now face two of the best offensive players to ever play the game. Houston is still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Everyone needs to step up for the Rockets, and steal Harden’s spotlight.
Besides Brooklyn’s deadly duo, the Nets also have several players who have specialized in being “Rocket-killers” over their careers. Most notably, two former San Antonio Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills, who seem to play like future Hall-of-Famers any time they suit up against Houston. Obviously, all eyes will be on Harden and Durant tonight. But don’t be shocked one bit if Aldridge or Mills explodes for a 25-point night. Or even both of them. The Nets also have several injuries, so both former Spurs are starting for Brooklyn tonight. Eric Gordon, who’s admitted he’s pumped up himself for Harden’s return, will need to have a savvy big game if the Rockets want to pull off the upset. Houston also needs Christian Wood, Garrison Matthews, Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who plays tonight to leave it all on the floor. These Nets are elite, and they don’t lost to teams they’re supposed to beat. In other words, Brooklyn doesn’t beat itself, as opposed to Rockets, who have done so countless times this season. Houston has to punch the Nets in the mouth (or Beard), if they want to keep the winning streak alive.
Who could’ve imagined this? After starting 1-16, no one thought Houston would go on a winning streak, let alone win six games in a row. And now standing in the way of win number seven is the guy wearing number seven, who spent the majority of his career carrying the Rockets in Houston. Only to leave in disappointing fashion about a year ago. The players may say there’s no bad blood between these squads, but that’s false. The Rockets want to beat Harden just as bad as he wants to put on a nostalgic show of nightmares in front of Houston’s fans. How sweet it would be if the Rockets could pull off the upset, and extend the streak. Show Harden Houston was never that bad, and his departure was premature. But that’s all in the past. Tonight’s squarely about the present. Some possible silver-lining entering this matchup, if there’s any for the Rockets coming into this showdown, are two key factors. First, the idea of rest in a load-management league: last night, the Nets won a tough road game in Dallas, 102-99, rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat the Mavs. On the other hand, Houston has had two days off since their last win on Sunday. Hopefully the Rockets won’t show any signs of rust, but if they do, they’ll have a booming legion of fans supporting them in the background. That’s the second factor that could play into Houston’s favor. The Rockets are home, playing in front of their fans. And if there was ever a night where the crowd is going to be rocking at Toyota Center, it’s tonight. He’s back in town. That guy they call “the Beard”… the one with a particular set of streak-ending skills.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Brooklyn Nets (17-7): Gray
Houston Rockets (7-16): Red
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass