Rockets Hunting for a Win as the Wolves Come to Town
Transitioning Back. Ferrari Hunting. Goodbye, Rocket-Bottom.
“There’s a point where everything fades. The machine becomes weightless. Just disappears. And all that’s left is a body moving through space and time… That’s where you meet it. It asks you a question, the only question that matters… who are you?” A quote from last year’s Best-Picture nominee Ford v. Ferrari, one that resonates with the recent play from the Houston Rockets. If that’s even who this team is… Who are these guys? These Rockets look as if they’re just moving through space and time… simply going through the motions. Over the last four games, they sure haven’t looked like the Rockets we saw over the first 59 games of the season. Lost, confused, out-of-it. Use any adjective you want, but these Rockets are struggling to reclaim their identity. They’re getting beaten inside, a product of the “small-ball” they say, but it wasn’t during their six-game winning streak that ended only a week ago with this same “small-ball” squad. Houston’s effort, energy, and drive has changed from a Ferrari to a Ford.
Eight days ago, the Rockets were inches from the second-seed in the West. Now they’re looking up from the sixth spot, even at Chris Paul, whose Thunder slipped past Houston into fifth. It’s been a transition that no one saw coming, but with the Rockets’ lack of effort and energy they’ve shown, especially to start these games during this slide, it’s not completely surprising. Most importantly, Houston has failed to get back on defense in transition, and it’s killed this team. They have to get transition back once the opponent gets the ball. Any team can make wide-open layups all night, and that’s what the Rockets are giving their opponents.
The Timberwolves come to town on Tuesday night as the squad will try and end their longest losing streak of the season. Robert Covington will take on his former team for the first time since being traded. This is another game the Rockets should win handily, but given their current stretch of confusion, who knows how the team will perform tonight. If losing to the Magic by 20 on Sunday wasn’t rock-bottom, then a loss to an even-worse Wolves team certainly will. The Rockets play the Lakers after tonight, and despite L.A.’s status as the top seed in the West, something about playing the Lakers brings out the best in Houston. If the Rockets can get off the schneid, and beat Minnesota, they have a chance to start a new streak, and say goodbye to Rocket-Bottom. With only 19 games remaining, Houston has their work cut out for them. After tonight, the schedule’s not exactly a cake-walk for the Rockets. There’s no more time for slippage. It’s time to get back into gear, and outrun teams like Houston’s small ball was built to do. Tonight expect the Rockets to morph from their average Ford… back into a Ferrari.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Minnesota Timberwolves (19-44): Navy
Houston Rockets (39-24): Red
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