Rockets Seek First Road Win, Visit Reeling Warriors to Close West Coast Trip
Back Half. End of the Road. Unlovable Darlings.
It’s been long time since the Golden State Warriors lost six games in a row. Coming off two straight heartbreaking losses in the City of Angels, the Rockets wrap up their road trip with a matchup in the Bay Area against the reeling Golden State Warriors. Golden State is currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the longest of the Steve Kerr era. The Warriors are also coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime a couple nights ago. So Houston faces a desperate team for the third straight game. It’s hard to imagine this Golden State losing streak reaching double-digits. The Rockets will need to play with more urgency than Golden State if they want to get revenge on the Warriors for beating them in the first matchup, Houston’s home opener back on October 29th. This is also the first time all season the Rockets will be playing for the second night in a row. It’s the first of 14 back-to-backs on the year. Tonight’s tilt is also the third game in four nights for the Rockets, so tired legs could evolve in the fourth quarter of this matchup.
The road trip finally ends Monday night in the Bay Area, in what has been an eventful, yet heartbreaking trip so far. Houston is still seeking their first road win of the season, as they’ll return home for two games after tonight, before heading back on the road. The Warriors are still without Draymond Green, who was suspended five games by the league after he put the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert in a chokehold a few games ago. Golden State hasn’t won since as they’ve lost seven of their past eight games and are currently in the midst of a six-game slide. The Rockets need to take advantage of Green’s absence, and be the tougher team on the court tonight. Despite coming off two straight losses, Houston’s shown they won’t back down from any challenge. A late addition to the injury report, Alperen Sengun is listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup. Obviously, Sengun is an essential, if not, the most important player on the Rockets. Regardless if he suits up or not, expect Houston to fight hard against an experienced Warriors team tonight.
Expect tonight’s game to be another close, nail-biter down the stretch. Hopefully, the Rockets can earn their first road win of the season. It won’t be easy. The experienced Warriors will be playing with a sense of urgency unforeseen by them in the regular season. They may not be the lovable darlings they were when their Dynasty was at its peak, but as evidenced on this road trip, they’re not the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have been the unfortunate victims of some poor officiating during this road trip that likely cost them at least one, if not both games, in L.A. They’re growing and gaining national attention with each game, but for now, these Rockets are unlovable darlings compared to the NBA’s glamour teams in L.A. and the fading Warriors. What does that translate into for tonight’s matchup? Well, we haven’t seen Houston’s Public Enemy Number One, aka Scott Foster, in a while. Don’t be surprised if he makes an appearance to ensure Golden State’s losing streak comes to an end. Regardless, the Rockets needs to stick to their plan, and make better decisions in crunch time executing their offense. If the squad sticks to their formula they have a great shot at winning another close nail biter, or suffering heartbreak for the third time in a row. Let’s hope the officials call a fair game, as Houston’s road trip wraps up tonight… believe it or not, these Rockets are good again for the first time in a long time.
Chase Center: San Francisco, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (6-5): White
Golden State Warriors (6-8): “City Edition” Black
Tip-Off: 9:00 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass