Rockets Travel to OKC, Face Thunder to Begin Tough Road Stretch
Part 2. Ultimate Road Challenge. Defend the Three.
For the first time all season, the Rockets will be playing on national television, as they travel to face the Thunder on Oklahoma City. This contest will be televised on TNT, and Houston will have a much wider audience than the usual game. This gives the Rockets a chance to show the entire country their skillset. The problem: they’ll be playing the Thunder once again, who are tied with the Timberwolves for the best record in the Western Conference. Houston has beaten OKC once this season, so a victory tonight isn’t impossible. Tonight’s contest marks the end of a home and home between these squads, as the Thunder won the previous game in Houston, 123-110, on Sunday night.
This is the third game in a tough five game stretch that sees the Rockets playing the Thunder and Suns over five straight contests. It’s the first time in Houston’s franchise history that they’ve played two unique opponents over a five game period. The Rockets are 1-1 so far, but now they head on the road, where they have the second worst record in the entire league. Hopefully, Houston can win at least one of these next three road games, before the return home next week.
Besides containing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the key to winning tonight’s game for the Rockets will be defending the perimeter. The Thunder shot very well from beyond the arc in Sunday’s matchup between these squads. Houston needs to tighten up their defense tonight in OKC, a task that’s been a problem for this Rockets team all season long on the road. This is Houston’s most difficult game during this tough five game stretch, as the Thunder boast an impressive 20-6 record at home. Maybe the bright lights of the national stage will inspire this Rockets team to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season. It would be a much-needed confidence boost for this young squad that is really struggling on the road. Houston looks to put those road woes to sleep as they battle the Thunder once again on Tuesday night.
Paycom Center: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (25-32): White
Oklahoma City Thunder (40-17): Orange
Tip-Off: 9:00 PM CT
TV: TNT