Rockets Return Home, Host Wizards in Westbrook’s Return
Electric Vindication. Black Magic. Backcourt Premier?
This one feels personal. It was only a few months ago, that Russell Westbrook called Houston home. On Tuesday night, Brodie finally makes his lone trip to the place he briefly called home, as the Rockets meet the Wizards on Tuesday night. Washington has been plagued by the coronavirus, although the team is improving, the Wizards have played three fewer games than Houston. So far, the Rockets are lucky the virus has only postponed their opener. The NBA season’s in jeopardy if too many games get postponed. But looking from a Houston viewpoint, the commissioner Adam Silver’s smart enough to guide the league through another tumultuous season. The Rockets are coming off impressive back-to-back road wins over the weekend, especially a pounding of in-state rival Dallas. Don’t look at the records of Houston and Washington. Tonight, you can throw those out the window.
Expect Russell Westbrook to be fired up more than usual. Despite asking for the trade, every player loves lighting up his former team, especially on the road. And Brodie is an energetic and fiery as players come. The Rockets defense has to be stout on Tuesday night. They need to clog the driving lanes to force Westbrook to take mid-range or perimeter shots. DeMarcus Cousins needs to avoid foul trouble, as he’s the squad’s main big whose size can cause issues for Russ drives to the rim. As Houston fans witnessed last season, Brodie struggles mightily from the perimeter. So the further Westbrook is from the basket, the better for the Rockets. But that’s easier said than done. Brodie’s still one of the most explosive players in basketball.
Houston also has to contain Washington’s Bradley Beal. The other part of the Wizards star backcourt. Beal can score 50 points on any given night, so the Rockets main defensive focus has to be on Washington’s lethal backcourt. Houston may see its own starting backcourt play together for the first time tonight, as John Wall and Victor Oladipo are both expected to take the floor. Two of the newest Rockets have yet to share the court due to injuries, rest, corona, etc. But finally, tonight, Houston gets a look at what the future of Rockets basketball can accomplish. Lucky for Houston, the Wizards are without lethal bigs Thomas Bryant and Rui Hachimura. Bryant is out for the season due to an injury. Meanwhile, Hachimura is still out due to the league’s “health and safety protocols,” but he should be back soon enough for the Wizards. Tonight’s a battle of star backcourts, as the Rockets premier their All-Star backcourt against a lethal Bradley Beal, and a vindictive Russell Westbrook, triple-double machine who wants nothing more than to spoil Houston’s night. Regardless of the Wizards’ poor record in the East, Brodie returns to visit his former team for the first time… expect the action to get personal.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Washington Wizards (3-9): Navy Blue
Houston Rockets (6-9): Blue “City Edition”
TV: 7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW