The Houston Rockets have a tough week ahead, and an important week in terms of playoff positioning. The Rockets currently sit 6 games behind the Spurs for the 2nd spot in the Western Conference, but also sit 4 games ahead of the Utah Jazz for the 3rd seed in the conference. The Rockets had a chance to make up a game against the Spurs on Monday night but blew an early 16 point lead thanks in large part to the play on both ends of the floor of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard and James Harden both finished with 39 points, but Harden would have finished with much more if Kawhi had not guarded him for a large portion of the 4th quarter.
Wed, 3/8 vs Utah Jazz
The Rockets face the Jazz in Houston in an important matchup in regards to the Western conference standings. The season series is tied up at 1 game apiece, so obviously this will be a big game for both teams. Houston will rely heavily, as usual, on their three point shooting, and their offensive output as a whole. James Harden headlines that offense, but he definitely isn’t lacking in help from his friends. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Clint Capela, and Lou Williams, in addition to Harden, have helped catapult the Rockets to over 120 ppg since the All Star Break. The Jazz, on the other hand, are a much more defensive minded team. Rudy Gobert has been outstanding all season long on that end of the court, as well as George Hill. The Jazz’s problem is staying healthy, and keeping their opening night starting five on the floor together, something that has been very difficult throughout the season thus far. Gordon Hayward, the first time All Star, headlines the Jazz on the offensive end. If the Rockets want to win this game, they need to get going on offense against the Jazz’s stingy defense, and need to at least keep them off the boards a little bit. Rebounding has been a big problem for Houston all season long.
Sun 3/12 vs Cleveland
Sunday, in primetime, the Rockets play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Houston. Cleveland, the 1 seed in the East pretty much the entire season, just recently broke the record for most 3s made in a game, a record that the Rockets previously called their own. At least Houston still claims the record for most 3s taken in a game, which is 61. In my opinion, the winner of this game will be the team that makes the most 3s. We could very well see two teams make 15+ threes, maybe even 20+ threes. If it doesn’t come down to threes, it could very well be a matter of who plays better, Lebron or the Beard. As a Rockets fan, hopefully Harden can stay hot, but if Lebron guards him exclusively, its hard to see that happening.
With a game also against Chicago on Friday, a 2-1 week, not including the Spurs game, would be considered a success. The Jazz game will be tough but is definitely winnable. The Cavs game will be a toss up, and could just come down to whichever team is hot on that night. The Bulls game should be an easy one, but it is on the road, and any game on the road in the NBA can sometimes be iffy.