Short-Handed Rockets Aim to Snap Skid, Visit Pistons in Detroit
Double-Dip. The Lucas Effect. Same Approach, New Look.
The Rockets hit the road again for a back-to-back this weekend in Detroit and Dallas. It all begins tonight, as Houston visits the Motor City to take on the Pistons, the team with the NBA’s worst record. After suffering an ankle sprain in their last game, Christian Wood will miss at least this weekend, and probably more time. So, once again, the squad will be short-handed, with a new group of starters yet to be revealed this season. Houston has to play hard, and realize even with all the injuries, the Rockets are still better than the Detroit Pistons. But the team with the worst record is no joke. They still boast Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, and sea of players who could have the game of their life against Houston. Looking at the bigger picture, the Rockets have to win this game tonight, as tomorrow night’s task in Dallas will be exponentially harder.
Houston signed troubled, young guard Kevin Porter Jr. on Thursday. The Rockets waived Chris Clemons to clear a roster sport for Porter Jr., who is coming from the Cleveland Cavaliers, after he was kicked off their team following an outburst in the locker room. Porter Jr.’s blithe attitude has obviously not worked well in Cleveland. Houston plans to make the best out of this talented youngster. The Rockets idea is to have assistant coach John Lucas work closely with the newcomer. Lucas has a history of helping players in the NBA and NFL get their careers back on track. More importantly, Lucas has been the steady, even-keeled master who keeps his apprentice, the NBA’s most lethal sixth man, Eric Gordon, in a clear mental state. Gordy doesn’t say much, as P.J. Tucker discussed recently, but it’s clear all the time spent working with Lucas during warm-ups and practice has kept Gordon from going insane. Along with Tucker, Gordon is the only other Rocket who’s been here to see Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook’s brief reigns in Houston. They also witnessed the best and worst of the Harden era. An era during which it must have been tough on Gordon, given the inconsistent amount of touches EG would get on a nightly basis. Now, as he said after Harden was traded, he, and the team, can finally move forward.
Well, the Rockets have been moving backwards as of late. Skidding their way into the Motor City on a three-game losing streak, Houston hopes a meeting with the league’s worst will help right the ship a bit before they visit their I-10 Rivals in Dallas tomorrow. The game-plan is simple: play hard. Like your life depends on it. The team that plays harder wins tonight’s battle in Detroit. And without John Wall, and now Christian Wood, Houston is going to have to play harder than ever. Hopefully Victor Oladipo can lead the way, and have a sensational game like he did in his debut. The Rockets are going to lean on Oladipo like they used to lean on James Harden. Maybe, Vic can have a special night tonight, and carry the team. Houston needs him to play like a star if they want to get a victory this weekend.
Little Caesars Arena: Detroit, Michigan
Jersey Colors:
Detroit Pistons (3-11): Blue
Houston Rockets (4-9): White
TV: 6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW