Rockets 109 Celtics 85

Rockets are now winners of 3 in a row and have now won 2 games back to back winning wire to wire. The Rockets on Tuesday night defeated the Celtics 109 to 85, the Rockets seized the win with a 40 point 1^st quarter. The Rockets only allowed the Celtics to shoot a paltry 32% on 99 shots while the Rockets shot a red hot 60% on 72 shots. For the 1^st time in the past few games, Rockets disgruntled Center Omer Asik saw action with 7 minutes left in the game. 

The big news of the game was the emergence of a power forward. Terrence Jones had his break out game of the season and his career with 24 points in the 1^st half Jones was ON FIRE going 8 for 8 in shots for 17 points. Jones on the defensive end also grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 2 shots. Post-game head coach Kevin McHale talked about Jones “He’s playing really well, I think he’s play well every chance he’s got” since coming in to the line up a few games ago the team as seemed to have played better. The team on Wednesday will head north to face the Mavericks and they will look to stretch the winning streak to 4 in a row. 

Rockets Howard/Asik as told by a Scout

The Rockets have had an up and down season and at times you have seen parts of what this team could be. Early on the Rockets employed a 2 center lineup which consisted of the team’s newest toy Dwight Howard and last years starting center Omer Asik. After a few games Head coach Kevin McHale decided to go in a different direction and scraped the lineup, and seemed to hasten the end of Asik’s career as a Houston Rocket.

On Thursday November 14^th it was learned before the game with the Knicks that Asik through his agent had requested a trade and wants out of Houston. Asik since the ending of McHales big line up has seen his minutes shrink from 23 minutes down to 7 minutes a game the past 3 games including being benched on Thursday and Saturday. Last season before Howard, Asik was averaging 30 minutes a game, his role has been cut and it’s clear he wants out and now has asked twice to be traded since Howard become a Rocket.

When speaking with an NBA scout I went in to determine Asik’s value to the rest of the NBA and while talking with the scout he went on to share “he (Asik) actually may be more impactful offensively than Howard at this point as Howard seems to have regressed”. When he told me this I had to follow up and really wanted to understand what he meant, so the scout shared “he (Howard) has 0 post moves nor does he work to get the ball. He's playing like Eric Dampier, makes a move and doesn't take up space or fight for "real estate" when he makes his move.” While the debate is moot because Howard can catch the lob pass and can dunk the ball, the scout is right every time Howard shoots the ball it’s more luck than skill if he makes the basket. Howard on the season is second in the NBA with 23 dunks so far this season.

Asik has plenty of value to teams and proved last season he can be a legit starting big man, last season averaging a double double. This season Asik was phased out by the ultra-athletic Howard and Asik seems to not even be in the team’s plans going forward as he been benched in the past 2 games. The scout went on to say the Bull’s would take him back, and mentioned that Daryl Morey could be looking for “a high unprotected pick, in my estimation, along with a role player to strengthen his bench.” Lots of teams could you use this big man on their team. The question is where is he going and what will Morey get back in return!

   

Rockets Defensive as told by a NBA Scout

The Rockets have ran in to many problems early in this young season the offensive spacing early was off due to having both Dwight Howard and Omer Asik operating in the same space.  Defensively the Rockets at times were having trouble stopping 3 year olds from scoring.

In talking with a NBA scout he mentioned when you have a Dwight Howard you should be better defensively “you can certainly be more aggressive on the ball when you have Howard protecting the rim”. I can personally remember before the start of the season Jeremy Lin joked, the defensive was something the coaching staff stressed last season, and last season they just didn’t listen very much…. The scout I spoke to with mentioned “you should always have consistency at the defensive end, although there's let downs in some capacity during a long season.  That's why you need a consistent philosophy”. Really does anyone know what the defensive philosophy on this team is….. Anyone?

The team has defensive players and has players that have the talent to play defensive on high level, James Harden? The scout went on to say “He (Kevin McHale) has some defensive talent but they have to embrace their philosophy.” Which leads me to believe in what Jeremy Lin said, we just didn’t listen….  

Omer Asik Wants Out

It seems likely Omer Asik will not be here after the NBA trade deadline, it was leaned today that Asik through his agent has asked for a trade for the 2nd time since Dwight Howard joined the team. IMO coach Kevin McHale tried to make Asik happy by starting both him and Howard at the start of the season using the Twin Towers lineup.

After a double overtime win at home against the Raptors it was learned the McHale had soured on the Big lineup and the following game with the 76ers Asik was benched in favor of Terrence Jones. Asik has seen his role on the Rockets disappear VERY quickly, against the Raptors Asik saw 19 minutes action, against the 76ers Asik saw 4 minutes action, and so far tonight with the Knicks Asik has yet to see the court at all.

The big question going forward is what is the return value for Asik who last season made it clear he could be a starting NBA big man. In the coming days Rockets GM Daryl Morey and Hed Coach Kevin McHale will no doubts have talks about what the team needs going forward.

Rockets Greg Smith Injures Right Knee

Greg Smith while playing in only his 5th game of the season injured his Right Knee while jumping up to defend a drive by Knicks Carmelo Anthony. Smith jumped and while coming down laded awkwardly on his leg and seemed to twist is knee badly. It was learned via TNT he was not able to put any weight on his leg and had to use crutches to get his X ray taken. Per Ken Berger, Smith's X-Ray was negative and but an MRI will be taking to find out the severeness of his injury, but it is being described as Right LCL sprain. Similar LCL injuries have taken others 4 to 6 weeks to come back from this injury.

76ers 123 beat Rockets 117

Rockets went in Wednesday’s night’s game without the assistance of All Star guard James Harden who sat with foot issues. The Rockets also decided to scrap the so called “Twin Towers” lineup of Dwight Howard and Omer Asik. Head coach instead of going big, went small with the two guard lineup of Patrick Beverley and Jeremy Lin also starting Terrence Jones at power forward.

The big complaint since the start of the season has been the Rockets only play a few quarters a game, tonight the Rockets picked the 1^st and 3^rd quarters too show up to the game. The Rockets with Harden out got major help from Jeremy Lin who went off tonight. Lin made 9 3pointers tonight and finished with 34 points. Lin was a key component in the Rockets gaining a 10 point advantage heading in to the 4^th quarter. The Rockets played a decent game but just were not able to stop ex Rocket James Anderson who had 36 points, and was very efficient going 12 for 16 from the floor and 6 of 8 from the 3, including the one that sent the 76ers into overtime. The Rockets ended up losing in single overtime to the Rockets of the east 123 to 117.

Jeremy Lin in the last two games has been on fire and been gold for the Rockets, Lin has played 95 minutes in the past two games and picked up 65 points in the past two games. Look for the Rockets to lean hard on Jeremy Lin tomorrow as the Rockets head back to the place from Jeremy Lin became a star…. NEW YORK CITY!  

Rockets 110 Raptors 104

Terrence Jones joined the Rockets rotation and join he did. Jones was a key member in the Rockets double overtime win over the Raptors 110 to 104. Before the game a flu bug was going through the team it affected James Harden and it sidelined Francisco Garcia for the night. The Rockets started off like normal and went with twin towers lineup, 6 minutes in to the game Head Coach Kevin McHale had seen enough and scrapped the lineup and inserted Omri Casspi for some spacing.

2 minutes left in the 1^st quarter Terrence Jones entered the game and Jones ended up playing 32 minutes, Jones played more minutes tonight than he played in the 1^st 8 games combined. While Jones may not have had a perfect night, he played the robin to Dwight Howard’s batman very well. Jones on the night finished with 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Totally out playing Omer Asik who finished with 18 minutes despite no injury, or no foul trouble. In big spots it was Jones not Asik in the game. The Twin Towers lineup is neat and can cause problems for teams, but it seems Coach Kevin McHale might be wavering on that lineup “you have the big lineup to start off and I’m 50/50 on it”.

So if McHale does scrap the “BIG” lineup with 2 true centers, you would have Dwight Howard starting with Omer Asik providing the relief. It looks like Terrence Jones would be the favorite to start opposite Howard, coach has complained about spacing from day 1 and while Jones is by no means a 3 point shooting specialists he provides more room for the offense to operate.

Rockets vs. Raptors: Game 8

Tonight the Rockets will take on the Raptors at home, with the hopes of snapping a 2 game home losing streak. Rockets have lost to the Lakers and the Clippers in different but yet the same fashion. The Lakers got off to a hot start yet the Rockets were able to counter and take the lead before ultimately blowing it in the final minute. The Clippers game at home the Rockets had pretty much controlled the game from the start but once again had it slipped through their hands at the end.

Today the team is dealing with a problem that is invisible to the naked eye, James Harden and other members of the Rockets are dealing with a flu bug of sorts. Harden did however say that he will go tonight dispute having flu like symptoms and bad feet “I’ll be alright, just get some rest and hydrate myself” Harden said. You could see Head Coach Kevin McHale open up the bench a little bit more than normal with players dealing with this bug and the team playing 4 games in 6 nights.

The Rockets also will get a visit from Ex Rocket Kyle Lowry who will try to move his Raptors to .500 on the season. Lowry battling ankle problems will make it a go tonight and will play against his former team. Lowry after shoot around today mentioned he enjoys his trips coming back to Houston “I always get a good kick coming back here". The key tonight is rebounding the Raptors are snagging 3 extra offensive broads a game more than the Rockets while the Rockets are the number 3 team in the NBA in overall rebounds. If Dwight Howard and Omar Aisk can control the glass this game the Rockets should win.

Below is audio from Ex Rockets guard Kyle Lowry

Rockets vs. Lakers: Game 6 preview and starting lineups

Tonight the Rockets will be able to be seen on TV (T.N.T. Late game), 40 percent of Houston might not understand that. The Rockets free agent acquisition Center Dwight Howard will make his debut over the team he chose to get traded to, but not stay with after his one season in LA. Howard traded ageing stars in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol for the youth of the Rockets James Harden and Chandler Parsons. The X’s and O’s aside the game tonight is all about did or did not Dwight Howard make the right choice in hitching his saddle to the Rockets, the Lakers will no doubt be looking to show up Howard at home.

The Rockets come in tonight’s 4-1 aside from a trampling by the Clippers the Rockets have looked like a top 3 team at various times during the games they have played. Dwight Howard knows the team could be much better than it is now “I don’t think we have played are best brand of basketball yet” he knows it would be nice for the team to PLAY 4 quarters Howard went on to mention that so far they have only really played 2 or 3 quarters.

The Lakers tonight will match Kevin McHale’s twin towers with their poor’s man’s attempt at the same. Lakers will match Howard/Asik with Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman, Kaman when it became clear Howard would not dawn a Lakers uni again the Lakers brought in Kaman to replace Howard. Kaman so far this season is averaging 9 pts and almost 6 rebs in a little over 15 minutes a game.  The Lakers are still reeling from not having all-time great Kobe Bryant who is still recovering from his injury last season. *All though an update is that Kobe is here in Houston and did work out in the team’s hotel*

Tonight the match up of the game will between James Harden vs. Steve Blake this match is decidedly WAY in the Rockets favor. The Lakers will more than likely not spend much time covering anybody in man to man defense because they can’t afford to. Don’t look past the Lakers just because they don’t have Kobe…. In the words of Patrick Beverley “The Lakers are the Lakers their a phenomenal team”

Starting Lineups

Rockets

F – Chandler Parsons

F – Dwight Howard

C – Omer Asik

G – James Harden

G – Jeremy Lin

Lakers

F – Xavier Henry

F – Chris Kaman

C – Pau Gasol

G – Steve Blake

G – Steve Nash 

Rockets beat Trailblazers: Game 5 (4-1)

Tonight the Rockets came back following a really tough loss to the Clippers 137 to 118 and tonight the Rockets beat the Trailblazers 116 to 101. The road trip ends 2-1 and the team heads back to Toyota center 4-1. Patrick Beverley gave it a go after suffering an injury against vs. the Bobcats in game 1, but did not start.


The Rockets started tonight's game just a little bit better than they did against the Clippers only giving up 31 points instead of the insanely high 42 1st quarter points they allowed. After the 1st quarter the Rockets pulled away scoring 86 points over the final 3 periods and limiting the Trailblazers to 70 points.

The Rockets got a HUGE effort from stars Dwight Howard (29) and James Harden (33) getting 62 points from the 2. Harden went 9-11 on shots inside the arc, Howard used monster slams to get his buckets and also manged to pull down 13 rebounds 4 of which were offensive rebounds. The Trailblazers made it close a few times, due to the fact the Rockets turned the ball over ALOT 20 to be exact.

Rockets vs. Trailblazers: Game 5

Rockets last night were dismantled and destroyed by the Clippers 137 to 118 and in all honesty it could have been a hell of a lot worse than that if the Clippers didn’t pull the foot off the gas. Early foul trouble limited the Rockets on defense and just weren’t able to put a stop to Chris Paul and “Lob city”. Paul lit up the Rockets to the tune of 23 points and 17 assists.

Tonight the Rockets will have to deal with a tough 1-2 punch, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge are combining for just a hair over 50 points a game in this young season. Nicolas Batum is also filling up the stat sheet for the Trailblazers with 13 points, 6 assists and 10 rebounds a game, the Trailblazers are also getting a very efficient 44.1 percent of their 3 pointers made.

The Rockets tonight will look to set a defensive tone early, and the Twin Tower line up will have a lot to do with that. Dwight Howard and Omer Asik before last night’s game have been locking down on the defensive end, and have cleaned up the backboards like nobody’s business to the tune of nearly 30 rebounds a game. James Harden yesterday picked up some early fouls yesterday which limited his aggression on both the defensive and offensive ends, against the Clippers he had only 15 points including 0-7 on 3 pointers.   

The Rockets will have a tough task ahead of them on the 2^nd leg of their back to backs but a win tonight will make for a happy trip back to Toyota center.  

Rockets lose a nail bitter with Clippers

Ok so it wasn't a nail bitter and more of a good ole fashioned butt kicking! The Rockets lost the middle game of their Western conference trip, 137 to 118 was the final score as the Clips handed the unbeaten Rockets the 1st loss of the early season.

For the 1st time in 3 games the Rockets defensively did not show up to the game, during the 1st three games the Rockets would lock it down in either the 1st or 2nd half but not tonight.  The Rockets never really had a chance tonight, from the tip off the Clippers went on a 23-8 run totally taking the wind out of the Rockets sails. The Rockets made it close and cut it to 9 at one point during the 3rd quarter but the Clippers put the pedal back to the metal and with 5 minutes left in the game Head coach Kevin McHale waived the white flag.

Clippers tonight out Rockets the Rockets tonight the Clippers had 15 3's while the Rockets had only 7 including 0 from James Harden who went 0-7. Omri Casspi who missed the last game came back with vengeance to lead the Rockets in scoring with 19 points going 6-12 from the field and 3-6 on 3's. Coach McHale and James Harden both post game made mention of early foul troubles that lead to bad defense.  

Rockets vs. Clippers: Game 4

Tonight is game four in the Rockets young 2013-2014 season, they are in the middle of a three game road trip on the West coast. Saturday they played the Jazz and won, and Tuesday will play Trailblazers before coming back home to the comfy confines of the Toyota center.

Rockets have yet to play a full 48 min game this season which really hasn't came back to bite them yet.... Tonight once again will be with starting point guard Patrick Beverley and Forward Omri Casspi could be set to return to the court after sitting on Saturday. The Rockets Bigs tonight will match up very well with the Clippers bigs as neither is a 3 point shooting threat. The match up to watch will be between Chris Paul and Jeremy Lin, for the Rockets to win Lin will have to try to limit Paul's output. Paul in his last two games 33 points a game and 12.5 assists a game, this is one of those games you wish you had Beverley who you could use to frustrate Paul.

Rockets vs Jazz preview

The Rockets head to Utah to take on the Jazz, last season the Rockets went in 4 tries with the Jazz the Rockets took 3 of 4 but lost the very 1st match up with the Jazz, tonight is the very 1st match up of the 2013-2014 season. The difference is this Jazz team is no where near the same Jazz team as it was last season. The Rockets and the Jazz will both go in to this game with changes from last years team but the Jazz have 4 new starters, Derrick Favors is the only carry over from last seasons team.


Rockets come in to the game following 2 wins at home over the Bobcats and the Mavericks. Rockets have gotta big contributions from All Stars James Harden and Dwight Howard. Harden in 1st 2 games has 55 points and Howard has 42 rebounds. The team has gotten good help off the bench both Francisco Garcia in the 1st night and Omri Casspi in the 2nd game. Rockets will still be with Patrick Beverley who was injured opening night Jeremy Lin will start with Aaron Brooks coming in the spell him.


Jazz opened at home with a loss to the Thunder 98 to 101 then at traveled and lost to the Suns 84 to 87, came with a 3 pointer of being 2-0 instead of 0-2. Gordon Hayward has filled up the stat sheet of late and is 5 for 5 on 3's this season and Enes Kanter has 2 double doubles in the 1st 2 games. Leading the Jazz in scoring is Alec Burks and he is doing his damage of the bench.

Rockets beat Mavericks 113 to 105

Rockets win against I-45noth rivals the Dallas Mavericks 113 to 105, the Rockets got major contributions from All Stars James Harden and Dwight Howard to start of the season with two wins. Harden lit up the Mavericks to the tune of 34 points while Howard cleaned up the backboard to the tune of 16 rebounds.

The Rockets unlike their previous game got off to a MUCH better start even though within minutes Omer Asik was out of the game due to picking up two quick personal fouls killing the twin towers lineup. The Rockets used pace and 3’s to take a 61 to 50 lead at the half. When the 2^nd half started the Mavs were soon to employ Hack A Howard which seemed to work for a while with Howard clanking free throws left and right. The game inching ever closer Howard was able to nail back to back free throws which pretty much ended the Hack A Howard technique.

Dwight Howard in his 1^st two games as a Houston Rocket he has 42 rebounds, 30 points showing he was worth every penny the Rockets shelled out to snag the super star free agent this past offseason. Before the game Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made comments that Howard picked the wrong team and you can see why Cuban was so frustrated, because this version of Dwight Howard makes your team 10 times better than the year before.

Below is post game comments from Dwight Howard where he talks about his game and about Mark Cuban. 

Rockets D-League team drafts a team

Last year the Vipers the Rockets D-League team won the D-League championship. Tonight the Vipers made their D-League draft and the 8 players they selected will join the Vipers training camp. The Vipers 1^st game is Friday Nov 29^th below are the players the team selected this season.

1rd 2^nd pick – James Johnson (F) 6-9 (245) – Wake Forest

1rd 16^th pick – Dario Hunt (PF) 6-8 (230) – Nevada

2rd 15^th pick – Tony Bishop (F) 6-7 (220) Texas State

2rd 16^th pick – Kevin Parrom (F) 6-6 (215) Arizona

4rd 16^th pick – Gary Talton (G) 6-1 (163) Illinois-Chicago

5rd 16^th pick – Mike Black (G) 6-0 (175) Albany

6rd 16^th pick – Akeem Ellis (F) 6-6 (225) Coppin State

7rd 11^th pick – Dwayne Latham (G) 6-3 (190) Indiana State

Rockets vs. Mavericks Starting Lineups

Rockets continue their season tonight at home against the 1-45 North rivals Dallas Mavericks, today both teams come in 1-0. Rockets getting their win Wednesday night against the Charlotte Bobcats 96-83 at home while the Mavericks won at home against the Atlanta Hawks 118-109. Rockets will teak their starting line up just a touch with, Patrick Beverley injured and out 10-14 days. Below is the starting line ups for both teams.



Rockets                                                                                                                   Mavericks
F - Chandler Parsons                                                                                                F - Shawn Marion
F - Dwight Howard                                                                                                  F - Drik Nowitzki
C - Omer Asik                                                                                                         C - Sam Dalembert
G- James Harden                                                                                                     G - Monta Ellis
G -Jeremy Lin                                                                                                         G - Jose Calderon  

Rockets on the mend

Yesterday the Rockets suffered a few injuries in game, All Star James Harden was able to return to the game but newly minted starter Patrick Beverley did not return to the game after only 10 minutes of game time. Yesterday they were able to best the lowly Bobcats, and today during practice neither Harden nor Beverley practiced, both sitting out with injuries they got yesterday.

Harden missed due to the sore back and Beverley missed due to his bruised ribs. Both players are listed as day to day and while it's not serious injuries IMO it's best both players rest till they are completely healthy no need to force these guys to start with the depth they have on the team.

Backing up Patrick Beverley, is last years starter Jeremy Lin and old Rockets starter Aaron Brooks, now the depth behind James Harden is iffy with Francisco Garcia and Ronnie Brewer but you can live with those 2 for a game or two rather then push Harden and ride with the two for much longer.

Rockets play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at Toyota Center.



 

Rockets not able to escape the injury bug

Game 1 went to the Rockets as the Bobcats lost 96 to 83, as sweet as the win was there was a few nervous moments for Rockets fans, as the team was not to escape game 1 with out injures. Patrick Beverly and James Harden both left during the game but only Harden returned to the game. James Harden left with stiff back but ended up checking back in to the game, he was able to finish shooting 7-16 for 21 points and finished the game in the floor. Post game Harden said it started this morning and hoped it’d be good at game time, but it got bad again during the game.

Beverly unlike Harden did not return to the game after taking a hit to the ribs, his 1^st ever start during the regular season may have ended early but he brought his full court pressure style to the game and in 10 minutes he went 2-4 for 5 points. Post game Beverly tweeted that he will be back for the Mavericks game this Friday at home.  Even Jeremy Lin had to have stiches on his chin during the game but was able to finish the game and did not seem to affect him.  

Rockets beat Bobcats 96 to 83

The new look Rockets took the court minus last year’s starter Jeremy Lin who was relegated to the bench role and replaced with defensive minded Patrick Beverley. The Rockets also added a new element to the team they have lacked in so many years past, A TRUE POWER FORWARD. Dwight Howard made his Houston Rockets debut alongside Center Omer Asik giving the team true size.

Tip off came and it was time for the hype to meet the Bobcats in the 1st game of a long 82 game season.  On the 1^st offensive and defensive possession you saw the bad and the good of the Rockets Twin Towers lineup. After winning the tip Dwight Howard stepped out of bounds while trying to drive the baseline, but on the defensive end he came off the weakside to cause a miss from Bobcats Al Jefferson. For the better part of the 1^st half the 1^st team offense seemed to struggle as the team seemed to play in slow motion.

Head coach Kevin McHale said in his post-game press conference that watching the offense was like going to the dentist. The team was saved by Francisco Garcia who started lighting up the Bobcats with 3’s finishing with 19 points. The team was able to remaining in the game while the offense stalled early with both Dwight Howard and Omer Aisk combining to snag 40 rebounds, 3 more rebounds than the entire Bobcats team. In the end the team was able to best the lowly Bobcats at home 96 to 83 and hold the 37% shooting.

Below is Francisco Garcia talking about tonight’s game