Rockets Fly into Denver, Look to Keep Rolling Against Mile High Competition
Rocky Road. New Leaf. Players of the Month.
At least the Rockets don’t have to play the Pelicans at home anymore. Something I never thought I would say before the season began. Two of Houston’s most embarrassing losses of the season have come against New Orleans. Sadly for Houston fans, that hasn’t been out of the norm for the Rockets this season. They’ve had more success against championship-contending competition, compared to the NBA’s average to bad teams, with whom they’ve struggled. Thankfully for Rocket fans, Houston is in Denver tonight taking on the 2nd-seeded Nuggets. Something else I never thought I would say before the season started.
This season, Denver has exceeded expectations and currently holds the 2nd spot in the West. Fortunately, the Rockets have had recent success against the Nuggets, winning the last 9 matchups between the squads, including a victory in Denver earlier this season. The Nuggets, being one of the “contending” teams this year, give Houston a chance to beat another great team. The road ahead for Houston is rough. They’re in Utah tomorrow night, and 7 of their next 9 games are on the road, with 5 of those games coming against probable playoff teams. Houston faces a Denver team that’s deeper and healthier than the previous time these squads faced off. The Nuggets have won 4 straight, including 9 of their last 12 contests since they fell to the Rockets in Houston in early-January. Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets best player, was named as an All-Star for the first time in his career yesterday. Houston will need to contain the “Joker” aka “Big Honey”, (as revealed on TNT last night) and limit his production to keep their success in the Mile High City rolling.
For the first time this season, the Rockets will debut and wear the “City Edition” maroon jerseys tonight featuring the Chinese symbols. Chinese New Year is on Tuesday, and the Rockets will don the Maroon for 2 of their next 3 games. Hopefully, Chinese New Year will signal the turning of a new leaf for Houston, and the end of the Rockets losing to bad teams and playing down to their competition. Houston can’t afford to lose too many more games, and they need to win every game they’re favored in order to get the best playoff positioning possible.
James Harden was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month today, for the second straight month, deservedly so. The “Unguardable Tour”, as it’s being called, continued throughout the entire month of January. Don’t expect the tour to stop any time soon. It’s a season-long show, and the Rockets are hoping it continues deep into the playoffs. Houston recently called up Isaiah Hartenstein, who had a torrid January, and was named the G-League’s Player of the Month for January. “Hustlestein” has dominated in the paint and seen an uptick in his production for the month while developing his game in the NBA’s version of the “minors.” The Rockets need that production to translate against NBA-competition, at least while Clint Capela remains sidelined. Hartenstein should play nicely alongside Kenneth Faried, as he brings a similar style of hustle to the squad. And in the NBA, you can never have too much hustle on one team.
The “Manimal” returns to Denver, where he spent the majority of his career, and had his best seasons. Faried is always ready to play, but should be especially amped-up to take on his former-team tonight. Houston comes in to Denver on two days rest. Look for the Rockets to feed off the Manimal and Hartenstein’s energy, as they battle in the paint against one of the best Centers in the League in Nikola Jokic. Chris Paul was going to rest tonight, given the Rockets are in Utah tomorrow night. Although a few hours ago, his status has been upgraded and the Point God will take the court tonight. Houston needs to continue playing with the grit and energy they’ve brought when facing the NBA’s best, and they should get a win tonight. The Pelicans aren’t in town so don’t expect any surprises. If the Rockets lose tonight, it’ll be at the hands of a great Nuggets team. Although Houston has had a pretty great hand themselves when playing great teams this season. Expect a close game that goes down to the wire. Look for the Rockets, still angry over their unfathomable loss to the Pelicans, to play with a chip on their shoulder tonight, and take down the Nuggets once again.
Pepsi Center: Denver, Colorado
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (29-21): “City Edition” Maroon
Denver Nuggets (35-15): Blue
TV: 9 PM CT – ESPN & ATT Sportsnet SW