Rockets Hit the Road, Battle Thunder in Rematch
Closeout Game. One For the Road. Escaping the Mirage.
After a strong finish to the month of November, the Houston Rockets aim to keep their winning ways rolling into December. And to start the month, the Rockets travel to Oklahoma City to finish their season-series with the Thunder. These two teams are no strangers to each other. Tonight’s tilt is a rematch from Monday’s game, in which Houston came out victorious, 102-89. The Rockets lead the season-series 2-1, but both wins came in Houston. The squad is still searching for their first road win of the season. And tonight, against a team they’ve already beaten twice, is the perfect opportunity. The Rockets are riding a Garrison Matthews-fueled wave of momentum. During Houston’s three-game winning streak, Matthews is averaging 17 points a contest while draining more than half his shot attempts, most of them coming from deep range. However, for Matthews, catch coach Stephen Silas’ attention started with his defense. “Gritty Garrison” has shown a keen ability to draw charges with the best in the NBA, and his hustle is not a temporary characteristic. Matthews plays hard on every possession, similar to Jae’Sean Tate. And the Rockets will certainly need Matthews’ defense tonight. The Thunder won the previous contest between these two rivals in OKC, 101-89. Expect OKC to undoubtedly have a better shooting performance than they showed on Monday night. The friendly confines of one’s home arena tend to boost the spirits of a team, especially its role players. Matthews, Tate, and other Houston defenders have to close out on the perimeter shooters tonight, or the Rockets will still be searching for a road win.
Houston is currently in the midst of a home-heavy stretch in the schedule, but tonight is the lone pit stop. After Wednesday’s matchup in OKC, the Rockets return home for four more home games. The squad would desperately love to get a win on the road. After close-calls in Denver and Los Angeles earlier this season, Houston is more than capable of beating this lottery-bound Thunder team to earn their first road win. Along with Garrison Matthews, Christian Wood has been on a tear as of late. Three games ago he set a career-mark for assists (6), two games ago he scored a career-high 33 points, and last game Wood grabbed a career-best 21 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. has also been playing at a steadier pace, resulting in more efficient play and less turnovers from Houston’s point guard. The Rockets are still without Jalen Green, but it shouldn’t matter tonight. Stephen Silas has found his rotation, and Houston should have enough motivation to outplay the Thunder on Wednesday.
This game is critically important, at least to Houston’s confidence. In the NBA, winning on the road isn’t easy. Period. At home, Houston is 4-5, which isn’t bad for a team with record of 4-16. However, the Rockets’ young group have yet to win in a hostile environment, with an embarrassing 0-11 record away from Toyota Center to start to season. Winning on the road builds character, confidence, and togetherness. All factors the Rockets are working to instill in their young core as they navigate the long, treacherous 82-game NBA season. Expect Houston to be motivated to keep their winning streak alive, and take the season-series against OKC. Even if the Rockets win their next four games (all at home), if Houston can’t win tonight, they’ll still be the only team in the league without a road win. Were the three latest wins in Houston just a mirage? Or can the Rockets prove they can adapt to succeed in different environments? Every other squad in the NBA has at least two road wins. After tonight, Houston’s next chance to play on the road isn’t until December 11th. It’s time for the Rockets to show they can lift-off outside of Houston… and escape the mirage.
Paycom Center: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (4-16): Black
Oklahoma City Thunder (6-14): White
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass