Rockets Host Thunder in First of Two-Game Set
Part 1. MVP? One for the Road.
Houston welcomes the Oklahoma City Thunder to town on Sunday night, as the Rockets seek to win their second straight game. Houston is coming off an impressive victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Tonight’s contest presents a tough challenge, as OKC is tied for the best record in the Western Conference. They have arguable the league’s MVP, in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Rookie of the Year, in Chet Holmgren. SGA continues to get more press in the MVP hype, and Holmgren is off to a stellar first season. The Rockets need to focus on containing these two young stars, as well as the Thunder’s Jalen Williams, who is having a breakout year in his second season, evolving into OKC’s third-best player.
The Rockets won the first matchup against the Thunder, 110-101, in Houston back on December 6th. So Houston is capable of beating this talented OKC team. Tonight’s tilt marks the first of a home-and-home between these teams, as they’ll face-off again on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. The Thunder’s biggest weakness is their lack of rebounding. The Rockets need to take advantage of their size and impose their will on the glass. Tonight may be Houston’s best chance to get another victory over the next four games, as they’ll hit the road after Sunday’s matchup for three toughies.
Houston is 20-9 at home, and they’ll look to build on their impressive home record as they battle a Thunder team that’s gotten better as the season’s moved on. OKC is tied for first in the West, and a better team than when the Rockets faced them back in December. Houston needs to be ready to weather an incoming storm, and hope to contain SGA from having another MVP-caliber performance this season.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Oklahoma City Thunder (39-17): Blue
Houston Rockets (25-31): “City Edition” White
Tip-Off: 6:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass