Short-handed Rockets Strive for 6 Straight, Pacers Streak into Town
Championship Look. Rested and Ready. Underdogs?
You might not be wrong if you think Houston’s an underdog in Friday night’s matchup versus Indiana. For the first time this season, one could argue they are. The Rockets are severely undermanned with Westbrook, Capela, House, and Gordon all missing tonight’s contest. Also premiering tonight, the squad will rock their new classic ketchup & mustard uniforms that celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s last championship. Friday night marks the first of eight games in which the Rockets will don their 90’s championship look uni’s. Houston is currently playing its best ball of the year. The Beard and co. have the look of this season’s potential champion. The squad is coming off its most impressive win of the season, an entertaining Harden-fueled victory over the Clippers. On Friday night, the Rockets look to make it six in a row, as the streaking Indiana Pacers come to town. Indy’s riding their own 4-game winning streak. Tonight’s match with the Pacers marks the first game of a back-to-back for Houston. They’ll be without Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, and Danuel House. Russell Westbrook also plans to rest, which is the plan for Westbrook all season on the first of a back-to-back. James Harden has had that championship look in his eyes. The Beard needs help tonight if the Rockets want to beat a hot Indy team.
The Pacers ride into Houston on 2 days of rest, boasting a 4-game winning streak. Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb are out with injuries for Indy, but the Rockets will still have their hands full. Domanatas Sabonis is one of the best young big men in the game. Sabonis presents a nightmare in the paint for Houston. The Pacers big man can score inside and out, doesn’t make many mistakes and is extremely efficient. Malcolm Brogdon also poses a threat to Houston’s winning streak. Brogdon is also a low mistake-prone player, and one of the smartest, most-underrated players in the league. Indiana’s All-Star Victor Oladipo is still out with an injury he suffered last season. The Pacers have been an early-season surprise, as many expected them to struggle without Oladipo. They didn’t last year after his injury. Indy has a lot of fight on this roster. The Pacers aren’t the most talented team in the NBA, but they play with a lot of heart and grit. The Rockets need other players to step up and help Harden score. Someone needs to fill the void left by the absences of Westbrook, Capela, Gordon, and House. The Beard can’t do it all by himself.
Even though Houston is the better team, the Rockets may find themselves as underdogs for the first time all season. Due the injury circumstances, Houston is vastly hobbled entering tonight’s matchup. Hopefully, Austin Rivers, Tyson Chandler, Ben McLemore, and others can give just the right amount of support for Harden to muster up another late win for the Rockets. Houston is the most hobbled they’ve been all season entering Friday night’s tussle. And the Eastern Conference hasn’t been the friendliest of foes this season for Houston. The Rockets are an undefeated 6-0 against the West. However, against the East, Houston is merely 2-3. The squad needs an all-around team effort tonight to avoid falling 2-4 against Eastern Conference teams. The Pacers are looking for their 5th straight win, fresh off two days of rest. For a team that plays harder than most, that’s an added advantage. Rivers and Chandler need to bring the energy they brought last game if the Rockets want to beat this hot Pacers team. Maybe, the classic uniforms Houston’s debuting on court will bring the squad some extra luck and motivation on the floor. The Rockets need it tonight. For the first time all season, they look like underdogs. But then again, they have James Harden, who can seemingly beat an average team by himself. And he’s playing at an even higher level than last year. Houston might be underdogs in the eyes of some. Just don’t tell the Beard… he’s looking to prove the doubters wrong… while rocking that championship look.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Indiana Pacers (7-4): Yellow
Houston Rockets (8-3): Classic Red
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW