Rockets Shooting for an Extinct Skid Tonight, as Raptors Visit Town
Final Days. Out of Place. Ol’ Reliable.
As the final days before the NBA trade deadline pass, the Rockets are hoping to put an end to their franchise-record 20-game losing streak. Houston has another chance to break the skid tonight, as the Raptors come to town. Toronto is a sub-par team this season, but still has plenty of weapons to make it another miserable night for the Rockets in H-Town. Tonight’s matchup is the second of a back-to-back for Houston, so the Rockets will be without Victor Oladipo against the Dinos. Maybe this will allow Kevin Porter Jr. more space and playing time to see how he fits with Christian Wood and John Wall. KPJ has looked place coming off-bench, as opposed to the guy who looked like he was scouted to be a lottery pick in his first few games with the Rockets.
It won’t be any easier than any other night. The Rockets need to put four quarters together, hustle on defense, and actually care like they want to win a game. They say they’re so frustrated and angry. Well, follow Jae’Sean Tate’s lead, and exert that aggression on the court. Houston can play with more energy on both ends of the floor. There’s no excuses for losing regardless of who’s on the court for the Rockets. No NBA team should lose 20-games in a row, let alone a team with the caliber of that mold this Houston squad.
Hopefully, the Rockets can put it together, and John Wall can be fired up after bringing his team so close to a victory yesterday. Look for the Rockets to lean on Wall and Wood for most of the offensive firepower. And Houston has to start playing some defense. The Thunder got way too many open lay-ups on Sunday. If the Rockets can play smarter, focus on one game at a time, and don’t let the burden of this historic losing streak effect them mentally, they’ll have a shot at showing us the final days of this skid are already in the past… and that this team’s ready to end it tonight.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Toronto Raptors (17-25): Red
Houston Rockets (11-30): “City Edition” Blue
TV: 8 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass