The Rockets play their first game in Houston since April
During the Houston Rockets’s last preseason game, a “thrilling” overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Xiane and I spoke about the expectations for the team. It’s a conversation that every fanbase is constantly having about their teams. You set expectations, then you adjust when material change occurs. So where do the Rockets stand?
Let’s get some facts out of the way first:
- The Rockets finished 11th in the Western Conference last year.
- They were five games behind the 10th place Warriors, who swept the Rockets.
- The Rockets were as far from the 8th seed Pelicans as the Pelicans were to the first place OKC Thunder (eight games).
- OKC, Denver, Dallas, and Minnesota figure to still be championship contenders this season.
- The fourth place Clippers lost Paul George, but they finished 10 games above Houston.
- The Suns brought in Mike Budenholzer, who will undeniably be a better coach than that group has seen so far (even if Coach Bud isn’t some genius coach).
- The Lakers are a year older, but you saw LeBron James at the Olympics.
- Tonight’s opponent, the New Orleans Pelicans, traded for Dejounte Murray and got 70 games out of Zion Williamson last season, including what they’re hoping was his “I have arrived” moment in a 40-point outburst in their play-in loss to the Lakers.
- The Kings added DeMar DeRozan.
- The Warriors lost Rocket Murderer Klay Thompson, but retooled with Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson, and they still employ Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
- Here’s where you say, “AK, at least one of those teams will have a terrible year due to injuries, poor play, or malcontents.” And I’d respond, “Sure, but don’t forget to look behind you.”
- The Memphis Grizzlies are getting Ja Morant back this year and figure to be much better than their injury-riddled 2023-24 season.
- The San Antonio Spurs have an alien on their team.
So today’s poll question is about where you think Houston will finish. Not what you hope will happen, but what you expect to happen. We’re assuming a normal season, with injuries but nothing crazy. Again, you have to adjust when confronted with material change.
Xiane and I will be on Playback again for this one. Remember, we can give out 20 passes to watch the game even if you don’t have League Pass or access to Rockets games. Don’t search for an illegal stream when you can just come in, watch legally for free, and hang out with other Rockets fans. It’ll be fun!
Tip-off
7pm CT
How To Watch
Space City Home Network
Injury Report
Rockets
Jock Landale: planned rest
Tari Eason: planned rest
Pelicans
Brandon Ingram-OUT
Trey Murphy III: hamstring-OUT
The Line (as of this post)
N/A, but check here for updates
Looking ahead because we can
Thursday night at Toyota Center against the Memphis Grizzlies