Mile High Misery: Streak Snapped in Denver as Rockets Fall to Nuggets, 105-95
Rocky Mountain Lows. Missing the Green Light. No Excuses.
After being favored throughout their win streak, the Rockets were slight underdogs on Wednesday night, and it showed. Houston’s streak and the Rockets fell in Denver, at the hand of the Nuggets, 105-95. The Rockets have yet to win a road game over a contender all season. Houston scored the least amount of points they’ve had in a game, all season. The Nuggets swarmed James Harden on the perimeter, resulting in a low Beard tally of 27 for the night. His teammates couldn’t hit open shots, and Denver controlled the pace, and the game, for all four quarters. The lone bright spot coming out of this game: Clint Capela, who had 21 boards. Over 20 for the 5th straight game. Capela has absolutely devoured glass, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, since returning from injury. He becomes the first NBA player to to accomplish the feat since Ben Wallace, in 2003 with Detroit. Houston just couldn’t hit open shots when they needed in Denver.
In more injury news, Danuel House suffered a shoulder injury, and didn’t return to the game. He’s questionable for Houston’s Friday showdown in L.A. House’s departure proved to have detrimental effect on Houston’s comeback efforts. His sharpshooting ability to knock down the open long bomb was sorely missed in this game after he went to the locker room. His partner in crime, Gerald “Green Light” Green, could potentially be out for the season, and hasn’t played all year. Green’s hustle and sharpshooting ability were missed in a game like Wednesday night’s, more than ever. The GreenHouse Effect, which become a local sensation last season, was needed desperately on Wednesday. Houston had the opportunities, but couldn’t knock down shots. Green is a streaky shooter, and always capable defender, who would’ve made a difference in Denver. It was also a game in which the Rockets could have really used Eric Gordon, still out with a knee injury. Sharpshooters were needed against the deep, versatile Nuggets, and none were to be found. Houston has no excuses despite the injuries on the perimeter. The Rockets are better than Denver, and will need to prove it the next these two squads face-off.
It’s exam season for the Houston Rockets. One of their biggest tests all year is coming up on Friday night. Houston faces their toughest matchup of the young season, and another early season test. A rematch, this time in Los Angeles, against their heated rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. Unlike last week, Friday presents a fully-loaded Clippers team. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both expected to play. George missed the first bout between the rivals. In round 2, the Rockets try and bounce back from their Mile High Misery, and finally get an impressive win on the road. They might be without Danuel House, but they’re no excuses for this Houston team. The Beard is coming off one of his worst games of the season. The Rockets have more than enough to bounce back. No altitude excuses if the squad doesn’t get it done. Other than these Clipper games, Denver, and Milwaukee, it’s been a cakewalk schedule for Houston so far this season. Sooner or later, if they want to be discussed amongst the favorites to win it all, winning games like Friday gets the conversation started.