Rockets vs. Pelicans Post-Game 1/29/19

Rockets Suffer Embarrassing Loss, Fall to Pelicans 121-116

Shameful Defeat.   Mirror Image.   Tough Road Ahead.

In the most embarrassing defeat of the season, the Rockets lost at home to a Pelicans team without Anthony Davis, 121-116 on Tuesday night.  New Orleans was also without Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle, E’Twaun Moore, and Elfrid Payton.  Houston was the healthiest they’ve been in a month.  The Rockets still didn’t have Capela, but the Pelicans were missing the best big man in basketball, along with 4 key rotational players.  To say the Rockets had the upper hand in this game would be a grave understatement.  Houston couldn’t have been dealt a better hand prior to tip-off.  All of New Orleans’ injuries, combined with the announcement the day earlier that Davis has demanded to be traded.  The Rockets were supposed to take care of business easily tonight against a team they severely overmatched on paper, but that simply wasn’t the case.  The Pelicans played harder, and took advantage of a Houston team that came out and toyed with New Orleans like they have so many teams, until the Rockets got too far behind to come back.  James Harden continued his 30-point game streak (now at 24), but didn’t look as mentally sharp as usual, and the defense forced the Beard into questionable decision-making.  Chris Paul looked lethargic as he struggles to get back into game-shape, and the squad as a whole looked tired and disinterested.  That is, other than Kenneth Faried.  Houston’s Manimal continued his impressive play and was one of the few bright spots in this contest for the Rockets.  Faried had his third consecutive double-double, finishing with 19 points and 11 boards.  Hopefully the Manimal’s energy will be contagious in Houston, and can wake up a Rockets team in need of a boost in hustle and aggressiveness.  The game reminded me of the squad during their first 25 games of the season, when Houston was still “figuring things out.”  Rocket fans don’t need any more reminders of that early part of the season, before the Beard’s “Unguardable Tour” began.

Houston continued their annoying trend of playing down to their competition.  3 of the Rockets last 4 losses have come against teams with worse records than Houston, and teams they should’ve easily beaten.  In the middle of the closest playoff race in NBA history, the Rockets can’t afford to lose any more games to weaker opponents, or they risk being on the road throughout the playoffs, making their quest for a title far more challenging.  Houston has this habit of being a mirror image to their opponents.  The Rockets are a combined 5-0 against the top 3 teams in the West.  Yet, the squad still tends to keep games too close against bad teams, many of which they’ve lost this season.  At least Houston has proven they can play with anybody, as the playoffs feature only strong competition.  Maybe the Rockets are just trudging through the regular season like the Warriors often do, just waiting for the playoffs to start.  But Houston’s doing it in an ugly manner as they fight to even make the playoffs, compared to Golden State, who does it while still having one of the top records in the league.  The Rockets need to sharpen things up, and quick, as they’re about to face some tough teams on the upcoming schedule.

The Rockets hit the road for a West-coast trip for their next 4 games.  It begins with a brutal back-to-back on Friday night in Denver, followed by Utah on Saturday.  Both squads are playoff caliber teams who are in a groove.  Houston’s had Denver’s number, and they’ll look for their recent success over the Nuggets to continue, but it won’t be easy.  Denver is healthier than the last time they faced the Rockets, and the Mile High City is one of the toughest places to play in the NBA.  Besides Golden State, Utah has arguably been the best team in the league over the last few weeks, quietly rising from out of playoff contention back into the mix.  Donovan Mitchell had a slow start but is playing well and the Jazz are always tough to beat at home.  This back-to-back is the toughest Houston will face this season.  After that it’s matchups against the Kings and Suns.  The Kings are an up-and-coming team, only 2 games out of a playoff spot, with a lot to play for.  Sacramento will be loud and proud, and the Rockets need to be ready after rough back-to-back games in the altitude.  Houston should handle Phoenix, but if Tuesday night’s game against New Orleans was any indication, the Rockets are never a sure bet to win a game, at least not this regular season.  It’s a bad habit Houston needs to cure to get the home court they desire for the first round of the playoffs.