Rockets Motor Into Detroit, Seeking 6th Straight Victory
Only 5 games ago, the Rockets were 4-7, staring into a possible abyss of a season lost, expectations throttled, and hopes dashed. Now, 5 games later, Houston has its mojo back. The Rockets have won 5 in a row and cruise into the Motor City seeking to make it 6, and sweep the season-series with the Pistons in the process. Detroit’s frontcourt, consisting of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin will be another handful for Capela in the war in the paint. But, as Clint proved last game, he is more than up to the task. Capela has been playing some of the best basketball of his life and is out to prove that he belongs in the discussion with the NBA’s dominant big-men. James Harden has been fantastic, improving his defensive intensity with each game, while at the same time demolishing defenses with his arsenal of offensive tricks, using them sparingly whenever he feels a defense is worthy of his dominance or the Rockets need a bucket. Chris Paul has been a leader to the younger players (especially Gary Clark, CP3 went and bought a car as a gift for Clark’s birthday). Clark, Hartenstein, and the other younger Rockets are improving their hustle with each game and are becoming more comfortable in D’Antoni’s system. And with the addition of Jeff Bzdelik, who will now officially be joining the team on the bench for the rest of the season, the Rockets will be more than ready to “Run It Bzack”. Although, the squad will need to continue to play with the hustle, heart, determination, and girt they’ve shown over the last few games. Because, nothing in the NBA comes easy, especially when Chris Paul and Blake Griffin share the court. It should be an exciting game but if the Rockets play with the intensity that has gotten them 5 straight wins, number 6 should be just around the corner.
Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, Michigan
6 PM CT – NBA TV, ATT Sportsnet