Rockets Head to the Bay Area, Battle Warriors in Christmas Showdown
Punishing Hour. Road Warriors. Fake Noise.
“There’s gotta be a hundred reasons why I don’t blow you away. Right now I can’t think of one,” Houstonian Dennis Quaid says in the 2002 film, The Rookie. A quote that got me thinking about today’s marquee matchup between the Rockets and Warriors. I mean seriously, there’s gotta be a hundred reasons why Houston doesn’t blow Golden State out of their new arena. It’s Christmas Day, the merriest day of the year. Everyone will be watching, the Rockets shouldn’t embarrass the Warriors in front of a national audience. Houston should be nice, and take it easy on a Golden State team who owns the worst record in the West. The Warriors have been plagued by injuries, and now house one of the league’s youngest squads. They still have Draymond Green, but as he’s shown us this season, Green’s no All-Star, just skillful at kicking people in the groin. Despite all these excuses, I can’t think of one reason why the Rockets shouldn’t blast the Warriors out of the brand new Chase Center, for all eyes to see. Golden State’s ended Houston’s season 4 of the past 5 years. It’s punishing hour in the Bay Area on Christmas. The Rockets are in town to dole out some more revenge on the team they used to call their rivals.
Houston finishes their road trip today in the Warriors’ brand new arena, the Chase Center. The Rockets won the first matchup against Golden State earlier this season back in Houston. At the moment, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are playing like the best duo in basketball. The squad’s riding on a 4-game winning-streak as they arrive in the Bay Area. More impressively, the Rockets have been road warriors, winners of six straight on the road. There’s no reason why the Beard and company shouldn’t make it seven in a row on Christmas. This Golden State roster is lightyears away from the dynasty that knocked Houston out of the playoffs in years past.
Harden is having another historic, MVP-caliber season, and Westbrook is rounding into All-Star form for the Rockets. It would take a Christmas miracle for Houston to lose their first game in the state-of-the-art Chase Center. However, the Rockets are prone to setbacks. Right when it appears like you can almost guarantee a Houston victory, the squad has a letdown, toying with their opponent until it’s too late… and the Rockets get played, like rookies at a poker game. The Warriors, despite their last-place record, have won two straight games. The Rockets can’t overlook their opponent’s depleted roster. Houston’s had problems overlooking opponents in the past, but the squad should have plenty of motivation any time they play Golden State. The Warriors gave Harden and the Rockets plenty of anguish over the last five years. It’s time for Houston and the Beard to repay the favor.
Christmas Day represents the “start” of the NBA season in they eyes of many casual sports fans. A day signifying the league’s in full-gear. The NFL season is winding down, and with the MLB offseason in full-swing, the NBA owns Christmas Day. On display for the holiday are five matchups, mainly featuring elite teams. The Lakers, the Clippers, the Bucks, you know.. the favorites people think we will the title in June. Listen to all the national media noise if you want. Big markets have louder voices. They’ll give you a hundred reasons why one of the teams playing this holiday will win the NBA Championship. And they’re right. One of these teams showcased on Christmas will eventually be crowned champs… just not the ones they think.
Chase Center: San Francisco, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (21-9): “Space City” White
Golden State Warriors (7-24): Black
TV: 4 PM CT – ABC