Rockets Open Season with Showdown in Portland, Facing Blazing Adversity
Opening Night (Remix). A New Reality. Knocking on Wood.
“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night,” a quote from the classic film All About Eve. And at the Moda Center in Portland tonight, this evening’s all about James. After their first game on Wednesday was postponed, the Houston Rockets finally get their season under way on Saturday night. And buckle up, this one could get bumpy for the Rockets. Houston takes on Rocket-killer Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in this Opening Night Remix. The Blazers lost their opener to Utah by 20 points. Expect Dame and C.J. McCollum to be hungry to avoid an 0-2 start. After not being able to suit up the minimum (8) players required to play in a game, the Rockets barely made it, coasting into Portland with 9 available players tonight. Houston is devastatingly short-handed, with a James Harden who’s head’s not quite right leading the way. Joining Harden in the starting lineup tonight will be David Nwaba, Danuel House Jr., P.J. Tucker, and Christian Wood. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Gordon, and Mason Jones are all being quarantined for 7 days, and will miss at least tonight’s matchup and Monday night’s game in Denver.
It’s a new reality for the NBA. Playing outside a bubble. The Rockets were the first team to fall victim, but they won’t be the last. Expect a plethora of games to feature players out due to the virus. It’s inevitable. But, like the MLB and NFL, can the NBA fight through without a bubble guiding every player’s single move? The NBA is the smartest and most forward-thinking of all the American professional sports leagues. Commissioner Adam Silver has done a tremendous job, from his execution of the bubble, to his navigating these entire set of unprecedented circumstances. The NBA’s in good hands, but there still might lie bumps on the road ahead.
As for tonight’s season opener, the Rockets will pray to the heavens James Harden cares about basketball and winning, specifically tonight’s matchup. Because if Houston is going to counter the Blazers’ firepower backcourt of Lillard and McCollum, they’re going to need Harden to go for at least 35. Otherwise, don’t expect the Rockets to survive this blaze of torture. Houston, down three of their main rotational players, is heavily outmanned in this matchup. Hopefully, little-known Christian Wood can make an impact like he did in his lone pre-season game, and team up with Harden to lead the Rockets to a W. Someone’s gonna have to step up. Besides Harden. That’s if the Beard decides to show up at all. Welcome to the return of Houston Rockets basketball. A story, where their best player, holds their very fate in his very carefree hands. The Rockets have had battles throughout the Harden-era in there Mode Center. Most notably, that shot Lillard hit to end Houston’s season in 2016. Their won’t be the usual buzz and noise from one of the NBA’s loudest arenas, but expect the Blazers to have no desire to fall to 0-2. Hopefully, James Harden wants to prove he’s still the best offensive player in the world, whether to attract his trade suitors, or because he loves to hoop. Regardless, Houston needs a retro Unguardable Tour performance from the Beard. In his first game as the NBA’s new modern Dennis Rodman. Leading a group of youngsters, most of whom haven’t seen much NBA action in their careers. Against a veteran playoff team poised to make the leap from pretenders to serious contenders this season. And so, the Rockets have themselves a mountain to climb if they want to escape Portland alive tonight. Fasten your seatbelts… it’s going to be a bumpy night.
Moda Center: Portland, Oregon
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (0-0): Black
Portland Trail Blazers (0-1): Red
TV: 9 PM CT – NBA TV, AT&T Sportsnet SW