Rockets 104, Suns 103 - GERALD

By Forrest Walker on December 18, 2017
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WHAT EVEN HAPPENED HERE JAMES HARDEN NEARLY HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE AND NONE OF IT MATTERS BECAUSE GERALD GREEN

THIS TEAM. #RunAsOne 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ji5fcnW51H

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 31, 2018

The Rockets rested Eric Gordon and Chris Paul and were down 21 to the Suns and won on the dumbest, most perfect shot in the world because this team is magical and also kinda cruel. Good night.

Rockets 113, Suns 102 - Back at It Again

By Forrest Walker on January 28, 2018
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The Houston Rockets are an elite basketball team, and they easily should beat teams like the Phoenix Suns. In practice, the Rockets took their foot off the gas repeatedly during that game, lost Trevor Ariza in the first minute, and didn't play Chris Paul in the last fifteen minutes of the game and still won by 11. The two biggest threats for the Rockets at this point in the NBA season are health and boredom. Tonight, both reared their heads, but were still defeated.

Rockets 112, Suns 95 - HE DID WHAT?

By Forrest Walker on January 12, 2017
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Gerald Green looks on in awe, perhaps at The Event

The Houston Rockets are much better than the Phoenix Suns. It was clear last time they met, as it was clear this time. The Rockets were missing James Harden, Tarik Black and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and still beat the Suns handily. The Suns are... wait what? Hold on, I was just informed that... no. NO.

HE DID WHAT?

Ryan Anderson stuffs it WITH AUTHORITY!#Rockets pic.twitter.com/qqBZtngqKx

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2018

EXCUSE ME?

This is all called off, nothing else matters anymore. Ryan Anderson yammed Alex Len to death and the Rockets are crushing teams again. Enjoy your evening.

Rockets 142, Suns 116 - High Score

At halftime of their beatdown of the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets had cause for celebration. Whether their 90-point first half qualified them to leave a three letter initial at the top of the high score list or not, they certainly looked like the sort of champions who would proudly enter ASS into the annals of history. They absolutely embarrassed the Suns in every way, got a dominant performance from James Harden, and got a taste of what this team can do with Chris Paul on the roster.

Rockets 133, Suns 102 - Rest is Good

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Get plenty of sleep. If there's only one lesson in the 31-point drubbing the Houston Rockets submitted the Phoenix Suns to, it's surely that rest is critical. If there are two lessons, it's that James Harden is phenomenal and the Houston Rockets are an elite team, despite recent malaise. There were mitigating factors in this rout, but the magnitude of the victory was undeniable. Get your beauty rest, or the Rockets might crush you by 30, too.

Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns

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The Rockets are coming off of a nice win over the Charlotte Hornets, moving to 39-17 on the season and building on their cushion as the 3rd seed in the West. The Rockets have now lost only two of their last seven games and maintain a shot at a 60 win season, more than the Rockets have ever had in a season. The Rockets are led in scoring, assists, and rebounds by MVP candidate James Harden, at 28.9 points, 11.3 assists, and  8.2 rebounds a game. The Rockets are ranked 3rd in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating, and 4th in net rating.

The Suns sit at the bottom of the Western Conference, at 16-37 going into their back to back against the Bulls then Rockets. Having won just one of their last 10 games, and losing both of their two previous match ups with the Rockets, the Suns will be desperate for a win. The Suns are led in scoring and assists by Eric Bledsoe, at 21.2 points and 6.1 assists, and in rebounds by Tyson Chandler at 11.8 rebounds per game. The Suns rank in the bottom third of each rating, 23rd in offensive rating, 28th in defensive rating, and 26th in net rating.

Starting Lineups

The Rockets may be without Eric Gordon, who missed Thursday's game and Wednesday's practice with back tightness. The Rockets will likely start James Harden at point guard, Patrick Beverley at shooting guard, Trevor Ariza at small forward, Ryan Anderson at power forward, and Clint Capela at center, with Eric Gordon getting starter’s minutes as the sixth man - if he is able to play.

The Suns will be without 4th overall pick Dragan Bender on Saturday, who is out for up to six weeks following an ankle surgery. The Suns will likely start with Eric Bledsoe at point guard, Devin Booker at shooting guard, T.J. Warren at small forward, Marquese Chriss at power forward, and Tyson Chandler at center.

Three Things to Watch

• Don't Let Up – The Rockets have gotten into a bad habit of giving up big leads and allowing games to get closer than they have to be. Watch to see if they can keep a bad team at bay, force a blowout win, and reduce the starters' minutes load.


• Third Times the Charm – The Rockets have played against the Suns twice this season - both easy victories, winning by an average of 15 points. In the third face-off of the four these teams will play, watch to see if the Rockets continue dominate this young Suns team.


• No Second Chances – The Suns have the 6th highest offensive rebound rate in the league, while the Rockets are just an average defensive rebounding team. Watch to see if the Rockets are able to keep the Suns, namely Tyson Chandler and his 3.5 offensive boards per game, off of the boards, limiting the Suns to single shot possessions.

Prediction and Tip-Off

This Rockets are back on their game, and have dominated the Suns in their previous match ups, so I expect nothing to change between the two teams on Saturday.

Tip-off will be at 8:00 P.M. Central Time in Houston on Saturday, February 11th. The game will be televised on ROOT SPORTS, with the radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790-AM.

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Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns

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After losing to the Grizzlies the Rockets head back home to pay the Suns, for the second time in three games. The Rockets are led in scoring and assists by James Harden, at 27.4 points and 11.9 assists, and in rebounds by Clint Capela, at 8.0 rebounds a game. The Rockets now rank 3rd in offensive rating, 19th in defensive rating, and 6th in net rating.

Not much has changed for the Suns, since the last time these two teams played and are currently 9-21 after defeating the 76ers. The Suns are led in scoring and assists by Eric Bledsoe, at 20 points and 5.5 assists, and in rebounds by Tyson Chandler, at 11.5 rebounds per game. So far this season the Suns rank 21st in offensive rating, 24th in defensive rating, and 26th in net rating.

Starting Lineups

With Clint Capela still sidelined with a leg injury, the Rockets starting lineup will likely be: James Harden at point guard, Patrick Beverley at shooting guard, Trevor Ariza at small forward, Ryan Anderson at power forward, and Nenê Hilario at center, with Eric Gordon getting starter’s minutes.

The Suns are likely to come out with a starting five of Eric Bledsoe at point guard, Devin Booker at shooting guard, P.J. Tucker at small forward, Marquese Chriss at power forward, and Tyson Chandler at center.

Three Things to Watch

• On to the next one – The Rockets are currently undefeated on games following a loss. Watch to see if the Rockets are able to continue to avoid a losing streak.
  


• Potential rematch – The Suns were able to stick around for much of the game in Phoenix just 5 days ago, until the Rockets pulled away late. Watch to see if the Suns are able to stay in the game longer, or if the Rockets are able to keep them out of it from the tip.


• Run N' Gun – The Rockets and Suns are both teams that like to get out and run, ranking 9th and 2nd in pace, respectively. Watch to see who is able to take advantage of the fast paced game we will likely see on Monday night.

Prediction and Tip-Off

The Rockets are a much better team than the Suns and I expect a similar ending to the one we saw in Phoenix, a big Rockets win.

Tip-off will be at 7:00 P.M. Central Time in Houston on Monday, December 26th. The game will be televised on ROOT Sports, with the radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790-AM.

Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns

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After a disappointing loss to the Spurs, the Rockets head to Phoenix, at 21-8, to take on the Suns. The Rockets are led in scoring, assists and rebounds by James Harden, at 27.8 points, 11.7 assists and 8.1 rebounds a game. The Rockets now rank 4th in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating, and 6th in net rating.

The Suns have struggled, to say the least, so far this season, losing seven of their last nine games and currently sit at 8-20 on the season. The Suns are led in scoring and assists by Eric Bledsoe, at 20 points and 5.3 assists, and in rebounds by Tyson Chandler, at 11.8 rebounds per game. So far this season the Suns rank 24th in offensive rating, 23rd in defensive rating, and 26th in net rating.

Starting Lineups

With Clint Capela still sidelined with a leg injury, the Rockets starting lineup will likely be: James Harden at point guard, Patrick Beverley at shooting guard, Trevor Ariza at small forward, Ryan Anderson at power forward, and Nenê Hilario at center, with Eric Gordon getting starter’s minutes.

The Suns are likely to come out with a starting five of Eric Bledsoe at point guard, Devin Booker at shooting guard, P.J. Tucker at small forward, Marquese Chriss at power forward, and Tyson Chandler at center.

Three Things to Watch

• Bounce back game – After blowing a 13 point lead in a crushing loss to the Spurs just the night before, a win over the lowly Suns is much needed. Watch to see how the Rockets are able to bounce back.
  


• Undefeated – The Houston Rockets are a perfect 5-0 on back to backs this season. Watch to see if the Rockets are able to stretch this streak.


• Get to the line – The Suns are dead last in the NBA at keeping opponents off of the free throw line. Watch to see if foul drawing wizard, James Harden, is able to take advantage.

Prediction and Tip-Off

The Rockets are likely out for revenge.

Combined with the law of averages, after the Rockets seemingly missed EVERY three, I expect a blowout win over the Phoenix suns, in the first half of a home and home series between the teams.

Tip-off will be at 8:00 P.M. Central Time in Phoenix on Wednesday, December 21st. The game will be televised on ROOT Sports, with the radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790-AM.