Empty Trip: Rockets Drop Third Straight, Fall to Warriors 121-116
No California Love. Rare Morphing. Dirty Dozen.
Houston ended their California road-trip winless, as the Warriors fended off the Rockets, 121-116, on Monday night. The loss gives Houston three straight and keeps the squad winless on the road. Golden State snapped their own six-game losing streak with their victory over the Rockets. Alperen Sengun had another All-Star worthy performance. The big man registered 30 points, 13 boards, and 5 assists for Houston, as he became the first Rocket to eclipse the 30-point mark this season. Fred VanVleet had another high assist game as he dished out 14 dimes. Jabari Smith Jr. had one of his better games of the season with 17 points and 9 boards. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green scored 16 points apiece. But none of this was enough, as the Warriors played with more urgency in their defeat of the Rockets. Despite being a five-point final score, this game was nowhere near as close as the two previous games in L.A., where the result went down to the final seconds. Golden State was in control for nearly the entire contest. Houston kept sticking around to make it interesting, but the Rockets never really threatened to over take the Warriors lead.
Stephen Curry scored 32 points to lead Golden State, who of course against Houston, were able to snap their skid. The Rockets have now lost 12 consecutive games against the Warriors. Hopefully, Houston can win one of the two remaining matchups this season and end this streak the Dubs have over the Rockets. Klay Thompson, who has been subject to trade rumors after a poor start to the season, morphed back into his usual self. Thompson usually plays well against Houston, and Monday night was no different, as he finished with 20 points, including five made threes. Chris Paul took delight in beating one of his former teams once again. The ex-Rocket finished with 15 points and 12 assists, and 6 boards. And Dario Saric had his best game of the season, exploding for 18 points off Golden State’s bench.
Houston just faced three talented, experienced, and desperate teams in a row. The Rockets could easily be 2-1, but unfortunately the team came away winless, going 0-3. We are now twelve games into the season, and Houston’s had one of the tougher schedules in the entire NBA so far. They’ve already played this Warriors team twice, the Lakers twice, the Clippers, and the defending champion Denver Nuggets, all teams expected to contend this season come playoff time. So 6-6 isn’t too bad especially considering the expectations for the Rockets entering this season. Despite currently riding a three-game losing streak, Houston has surpassed everyone’s expectations, and is one of the surprise teams in the league so far. The Rockets will now return home, where they’re won six games in a row at Toyota Center. They’ll look to make is seven straight, and end the skid, and they host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.