Rockets Host Trail Blazers in Second NBA Cup Game
Game Two. Twice as Nights. Cup Leaders.
It’s NBA Cup time again. The Rockets host the Portland Trail Blazers for the first of two straight games at Toyota Center. But tonight’s matchup counts in regards of determining ultimately which teams go to Las Vegas for the knockout round. Houston and Portland are both 1-0, with the Rockets holding a higher point differential for the tie-breaker. Whoever wins tonight’s matchup will be in first place all by themselves. Houston has the advantage in that they’re home, and they simply have the better basketball team. But that doesn’t mean these couple of matchups with the Blazers will be easy.
Portland Head Coach Chauncey Billups has these Blazers playing much better than last season. Shaedon Sharpe is emerging as a star. Scoot Henderson is improving in his second season. Rookie Donovan Clingan is off to a solid start. And Jerami Grant is currently their best player. The Rockets went 3-1 against the Blazers last season, but the loss was a heartbreaker at home, one of the worst defeats of the entire season last year. Houston will try to redeem that loss with a sweep this weekend.
It’s hard to beat the same team twice in a row, but the Rockets already did that against the Los Angeles Clippers at home. They certainly can beat a lesser-talented Portland team. They’ll have to stay disciplined to beat them twice in a row. These Blazers play hard and don’t beat themselves. Dalano Balton played extremely well against the Rockets last season, and could be an X-Factor in determining the result of tonight’s contest.
Alperen Sengun has been rolling for Houston lately. It would be great to see Jalen Green hop on the same train. Green’s trended back towards his inefficient was after a hot start to the season. Get ready for another very red, blood-soaked looking basketball court. And tonight’s matchup should be closer than expected. The Rockets are going for their seventh straight win at home tonight, but this Portland team will sneak up and beat opponents who take them lightly. Houston needs to get off to a fast start and put away the Blazers early so they can rest for the rematch tomorrow night.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Portland Trail Blazers (6-9): White
Houston Rockets (11-5): Black
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass