Rockets Get Burned By Suns, 109-103, Drop Third Straight
Another One Bites the Dust. Patiently Waiting. Digging Out.
Houston returned home, and lost not only their third straight, but also their upstart star center, Christian Wood, who went down with an ankle sprain in the loss. The Rockets were outplayed for nearly the entire game, made the exercise somewhat interesting down the stretch, but ran out of gas, dropping their third game in a row, at the hands of the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker scored 24 points, but it was DeAndre Ayton, who’s 26 points and 17 boards really helped Phoenix maintain control of the match. Along with 5 other Suns players in a balanced Phoenix attack. Houston especially had no answer for Ayton, who dominated on both ends of the floor, and feasted once Wood left the game. Unfortunately, Wood could miss several weeks, although nothing is officially confirmed at this time. DeMarcus Cousins will have to step up in Wood’s absence. Boogie has struggled mightily the last few games. Maybe more minutes and a starting role with get the former All-Star back in his groove.
For now, the Rockets will have to wait patiently. John Wall is expected to return after the weekend’s back-to-back. A trip on which Wood won’t be traveling, leaving Houston once again shorthanded, and looking at another new starting lineup. If this team can ever get Wall, Wood, and Victor Oladipo on the court at the same time, the Rockets can truly show their potential. Until then, we’ll truly never know how good this group can be. We’ll just have to wait patiently. Hopefully not too long.
The Rockets have spent too many games this season taking way too long digging themselves out of early holes. This was once again the case against the Suns. Houston trailed by as many as 20, only to make it a game in the final minutes by cutting the deficit to two points. Oladipo and co. couldn’t climb over the Suns, and came up short. Houston next plays the team with the worst record in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons, before taking on a much better Dallas Mavericks group the next day. Despite being once again direly short-handed, the Rockets have to go at least 1-1 over this upcoming back-to-back. Houston’s starting to dig themselves a hole they might not be able to escape. The Rockets are 4-9. They can’t afford to fall to 4-11. 6-9 would be great, but that’s asking a lot out of this shorthanded young group on the second night of a back-to-back. Houston needs to win the game in Detroit, even shorthanded, if they play hard enough, the Rockets have the ability to beat the Pistons. It’s the closest thing to a must-win this early in the season. This team can’t afford to lose many more games. Otherwise… they may not have a chance at returning to the playoffs this year.