Rockets Battle Trail Blazers in Saturday Night Rematch
Broom Night. Trap Dodgers. Embrace the Grind.
The Rockets face the Portland Trail Blazers once again at Toyota Center in a Saturday night rematch. Houston dismantled Portland, 116-88, on Friday night. No Rocket player saw more than 30 minutes of action, as the squad was able to rest of for the second half of this two-game set tonight. Houston should be able to win this contest as easily as they did last night.
Jerami Grant is questionable for the Blazers and Steven Adams won’t play tonight for the Rockets. This has the inklings of a “Trap Game” for Houston. Tonight’s matchup culminates a busy stretch in the schedule for the Rockets, this is the squad’s fifth game in seven nights. And they just clobbered this same Portland team last night. The Rockets need to embrace the grind, and put the Blazers away early like they did on Friday. Jalen Green got off to a solid start last night, but then jacked up poor shots to bring his efficiency down. Expect Alperen Sengun to be more of a factor in tonight’s contest with Adams sitting out. Sengun wasn’t really needed in last night’s blowout win. The Wizard will be called upon for more of his usual court tricks tonight if the Rockets want to continue their winning ways at home.
Houston is seeking their eighth straight home win tonight. The Rockets are 8-2 at home to start the season, compared to 4-3 away from Toyota Center. After tonight, five of Houston’s next six games are on the road, and the schedule toughens up as we near the end of NBA Cup Group Play. The Rockets currently sit in their place in the Western Conference, a spot no one expected them to be at this season. It’s still early, but Houston has been one of surprises of the entire NBA this season. It shouldn’t be as shocking to Rocket fans. Houston had sightings of this potential last year, as we witnessed the Rockets suffer too many nail-biting losses to count, and a strong overall finish to last season.
As long as the Rockets can continue to stay mentally tough, and take their opponent seriously, they should be able to deal the Blazers another loss tonight, and sweep this two-game set at Toyota Center. Being the fifth game in seven days for Houston, the Rockets may be more fatigued tonight, but they should have enough energy to beat a less-talented Portland team.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Portland Trail Blazers (6-10): Black
Houston Rockets (12-5): “City Edition” White
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass