Rockets Host Blazers in Rematch of Opening-Night Thriller
Rare Rematch. Prestigious Points. One for the Road.
Houston hosts the Trail Blazers in a rematch of their Opening Night thriller in Portland, a classic game, arguably the best of this NBA season so far, and one which the Rockets lost in heartbreaking-fashion. The squad will look to turn the tables Thursday night, as they host the Blazers in these teams’ second meeting this season. This game is technically a rematch, it’s the same two franchises, but with very new looks. For Portland, they’re injury-riddled at the moment. Their second-best player, C.J. McCollum, who lit up the Rockets for 44 points in the opener, is out with an injury. The Blazers are also without Jusuf Nurkic, one of the most underrated big men in basketball. And for Houston, James Harden, who seemed to traded baskets with McCollum, is long gone for the Rockets. Instead, Portland faces Victor Oladipo, whose looked pretty good so far in Houston. And John Wall, who missed the opener due to health and safety protocols.
Despite the absence of McCollum, the Blazers still have Damian Lillard, the most underrated superstar in basketball, and a regular Rockets-killer. Dame Dollar usually has big games against the Rockets. He ended Houston’s season with that infamous shot in the playoffs in 2016. And expect Lillard to be ready to do heavy damage, especially with McCollum, his backcourt mate, out for the night. The key matchup on Thursday night is Wall vs. Lillard. How will Wall perform against one of the most prestigious point-guards in basketball? Mr. Wall’s pretty prestigious himself, as he’s shown on the court this season. Thursday night’s tussle should be intriguing as these two All-Stars go head-to-head. DeMarcus Cousins has looked like an All-Start since filling in for Christian Wood. The Rockets need another Boogie night if they want to fend off Portland’s Enes Kanter, one of the best offensive rebounders in the league.
After Thursday night’s matchup, six of Houston’s next seven games are on the road, including a five-game trip the Rockets begin on Saturday. Houston has performed much better at home as opposed to the road this season. The squad needs a win against an injury-riddled Blazers team. Portland’s still a dangerous team. Damian Lillard can beat the Rockets by himself if he has one of those “Dame Time” fourth quarters. Houston has a plan to counter a potential Lillard-explosion. Thursday night is the first time John Wall and Victor Oladipo will share the court as Rockets. It may take a little time, as most chemistry does, but Houston’s backcourt has the potential to be one of the NBA’s best, if they can stay healthy. The Rockets need to take advantage of McCollum’s absence for the Blazers. At 7-9, Houston is in a much better position improving to 8-9, instead of falling another step behind at 7-10 in the standings. The first game between these two Western foes was a classic, a double-overtime thriller, that unfortunately ended in a Houston loss. In the rarest of rematches, expect another thriller. Dame Dollar’s in Houston, the Rockets are testing out their new All-Star backcourt for the first time. Houston has health on their side, but the Blazers have a group that’s played together longer than these new-look Rockets. Regardless, just like on Opening Night… expect a thriller in Houston on Thursday night.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Portland Trail Blazers (9-7): Black
Houston Rockets (7-9): Blue “City Edition”
TV: 6:30 PM CT – TNT