Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

In Thursday's off-day episode, our Ben DuBose explores three unanswered questions with Houston's playoff rotation — including Gerald Green vs. Joe Johnson for the final wing spot, Ryan Anderson vs. Nene at backup center, and whether Eric Gordon will be part of the closing lineup.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Paul (13/10) returned from a three-game absence as the Rockets extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 118-86 rout of Chicago at Toyota Center in Houston. Eric Gordon continued his run of elite shooting with a team-high 31 points on 11-of-17 from the field, including eight of Houston's 18 made three-pointers as a team.

With the win, the Rockets (61-14) reduced their "magic number" to two games to clinch the West's No. 1 seed over idle Golden State (54-19). Houston, which has won 31 of its last 33 games overall, is now on its third winning streak of 10+ games this season.

James Harden and center Clint Capela each sat out vs. the Bulls (24-50) for precautionary maintenance reasons, while forward Luc Mbah a Moute missed his third consecutive game with a minor case of tendonitis in his left knee.

Our postgame show breaks down those storylines and more from Tuesday's win, including how continued blowouts (Houston led by as much as 83-43) are helpful in managing the minutes of players who aren't taking the night off.

#Rockets #NBA #Bulls

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Gordon (22 points, 8-of-13 FG, +19) remained in peak efficiency Sunday night while Gerald Green (25 points, 10-of-15 FG) was once again a key difference-maker off the Houston bench, leading the Rockets (60-14) to an easy 118-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (21-53).

The league-leading Rockets — winners of 60 games in a season for the first time in franchise history — have now won nine consecutive games and 26 of their last 27. They are 30-2 since James Harden (18/15/10 on Sunday) returned from his hamstring injury on January 18.

With the win and losses elsewhere by Toronto (54-20) and Golden State (54-19), Houston effectively has a six-game lead over both teams with only eight left to place in the race for the NBA's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The "magic number" for the Rockets to clinch the league's top mark is only three, making it a virtually insurmountable lead with so many games still left to play.

In our postgame recap, we explore continued promising signs from Gordon and Green while also stepping back to take a broader view of the current NBA landscape and the Rockets' place in it — particularly after bombshell news that Golden State star Stephen Curry will miss at least the first round of the postseason with a Grade 2 MCL injury.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden (27/8/6) led the way in scoring, while Clint Capela (18/16 and 6 blocks) dominated on the interior vs. Anthony Davis as the Rockets (59-14) set a new franchise record for wins in a season with Saturday night's 114-91 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

With the win, the Rockets have won eight consecutive games and 25 of their past 26 overall. They remain effectively five games up on Golden State (54-18) and Toronto (54-19) in the race for the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

In Sunday's show, TV analyst Matt Bullard joins our Ben DuBose to break down Saturday's game and a range of other topics, including the growth shown by Capela against the NBA's best big men; why players from the 1993-94 championship squad are happy to see the 2017-18 Rockets break their record; and the current state of Mike D'Antoni's end-of-bench options, including the likes of Ryan Anderson, Nene, Gerald Green, and Joe Johnson.

Bullard also explores the recent resurgence of Eric Gordon (45.9% overall, 44.7% on 3s in 13 games after the All-Star break) and why it could bode very well for other Rockets who get an opportunity to rest down the home stretch of the regular season.

#Rockets #NBA #Pelicans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 22 points and 5 assists in a lethargic 100-96 overtime win on Thursday night over the Pistons (32-40). With the win, the Rockets (57-14) remain effectively five games up on the Warriors and Raptors with only 10 to play in the race for the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

James Harden was uncharacteristically inefficient with 21 points on 4-of-20 shooting, but he scored 10 points in overtime (on 50% shooting) to will Houston to the victory. The Rockets entered the game coming off a brutal three-game road trip in four nights to New Orleans, Minnesota, and Portland, including a grueling win Tuesday over the Blazers, and seemingly had tired legs all over the roster.

Chris Paul sat out with minor left hamstring soreness, while Luc Mbah a Moute departed after playing just seven minutes with tendonitis in his left knee.

Our postgame show explores those storylines and more, including the importance of Mike D'Antoni beginning a rest program for his regulars. Tune in:

#Rockets #NBA #Pistons

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden closed the door on the 2017-18 MVP race with a scintillating 42-point performance in Portland on 13-of-25 shooting as the Rockets (57-14) ended the Blazers' 13-game winning streak with a 115-111 victory.

With the win, the Rockets effectively increased their lead over Golden State (53-18) to five games, considering the tiebreaker, for the West's No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Though Portland's backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum vowed "no easy layups" going into the game, they were substantially outplayed by Harden and Chris Paul (22/8/6). Houston's backcourt combined for 64 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists on 19-of-41 shooting, while the Portland duo combined for just 28 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds on 9-of-32 shooting.

Our postgame show breaks down those storylines and much more, including the importance of Houston building even more confidence with an enormous road win; key minutes from Gerald Green off the bench in the second half, and why the 5-game lead with 11 to play is probably large enough for Mike D'Antoni to begin resting players now that the Rockets are back in Houston for eight of their next nine games.

#Rockets #NBA #Blazers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lead TV play-by-play broadcaster Craig Ackerman chats with our Ben DuBose about a range of topics, including a preview of Tuesday's Rockets-Blazers game from Portland; whether Houston would be better off playing the Blazers or Thunder in the playoffs; lessons learned from weekend wins at New Orleans and Minnesota; and when the No. 1 seed becomes secure enough for Mike D'Antoni to consider resting players with minor injuries, such as Clint Capela (thumb).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden (34/12) and Chris Paul (18/9/8) combined for 52 points and 21 assists on 50% shooting on Sunday as Houston won its fifth consecutive game with a 129-120 victory at Minnesota. Coming off Saturday's 107-101 win in New Orleans, it was an impressive showing on both ends of a road back-to-back for the Rockets (56-14) — each against probable Western Conference playoff teams.

With the two wins by Houston and losses by Golden State (53-17) on Friday and Toronto (52-18) on Sunday, the Rockets now effectively have a four-game advantage (counting tiebreakers) on both teams in the race for home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with only 12 games left to play.

Harden, long considered the league's MVP frontrunner, also led the way in scoring (32/11/8) in New Orleans. Clint Capela (13/11, 3 blocks) posted another double-double on the interior against Anthony Davis, while Paul (21/8/5) and Trevor Ariza (17 points, 4-of-6 on 3s) each bounced back from poor showings in Thursday's tight win over the Clippers.

In Sunday night's postgame show, we explore those storylines and much more from the weekend back-to-back at New Orleans and Minnesota. Besides the aforementioned subjects, other topics include lackluster showings for stretches of each second half, apparent minor hand injuries to Harden and Capela and when Houston can and/or should rest them; and the growth shown by Capela in a key three-game stretch against Davis, DeAndre Jordan, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

#Rockets #NBA #Wolves #Pelicans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rockets (54-14) clinched the 2017-18 Southwest Division title Thursday night with a 101-96 come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, led by a big night from Clint Capela (19 points, 12 rebounds, career-high 6 blocks) on the interior against DeAndre Jordan. It's just the sixth division title in franchise history for Houston, which previously won its division in 1977, 1986, 1993, 1994, and 2015.

The Rockets were down 12 midway through the third quarter, but finished the game on a 47-30 run over the final 19 minutes to take control. With the win, Houston remains two games up on the Golden State Warriors (52-16) and also holds the tiebreaker in the race for the West's No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Eric Gordon (23 points, 7-of-9 on 3s) was on fire from behind the arc, while MVP frontrunner James Harden led the Rockets in scoring with 24 points and delivered a dagger stepback jumper over Austin Rivers with under 30 seconds remaining to seal the game.

Our postgame show breaks down Capela's showing and all the other key storylines, including the Rockets evening the season series with the Clippers (37-30), another red-hot night from Gordon behind the arc, and an uncharacteristically sloppy game from Chris Paul against his former team.

#Rockets #NBA #Clippers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Rockets (53-14) in the middle of consecutive off days, Wednesday's show features an in-depth look at the various Western Conference races down the home stretch of the season. Topics include the importance of the No. 1 seed to Houston in the battle with Golden State; why Portland may be a more daunting second-round opponent than Oklahoma City; and ranking potential first-round opponents.

#Rockets #NBA

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices