Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

James Harden returned from a one-game injury with 28 points, 6 points, and 6 assists on Monday as the Rockets dominated a Texas rival for a second consecutive night, defeating the Spurs 109-93 at Toyota Center.

With the win, Houston (53-14) extends its lead for the top spot in the Western Conference to two games (plus the tiebreaker) over Golden State (51-16).

Chris Paul (18 points, 9 assists, 8-of-11 FG in 23 minutes) was by far the most efficient player on the Rockets, who shot an uncharacteristic 13-of-44 (29.5%) from behind the three-point arc after playing five games in the past seven nights. But the tired legs on perimeter shots ultimately didn't matter, since the Rockets dominated San Antonio on the inside with a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 50-36 edge in rebounding.

Our postgame show explores those themes and much more, including the potential for a Rockets vs. Spurs matchup in the first round of the playoffs — but with injured Spur Kawhi Leonard back in action. Besides tonight's storylines, the recap also examines why the playoff possibility may not be as likely or scary as some pundits appear to believe. 

#Rockets #NBA #Spurs

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Even without MVP frontrunner James Harden, the Rockets (52-14) bounced back from Friday's close loss at Toronto with an emphatic 105-82 victory over the rival Mavs in Dallas.

Coupled with a loss by Golden State (51-16) earlier in the day to Minnesota, Houston suddenly finds itself with a two-game advantage in the loss column plus the tiebreaker in the race for the West's No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

Chris Paul (24 points, 50% FG, 12 assists, +31) made up for a sluggish night from the field in Toronto, while Eric Gordon replaced Harden in the starting lineup and performed admirably with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Meanwhile, Houston put the clamps down on the Mavs defensively in the second half to take full control — surrendering just 82 points.

Our postgame show explores those items and more, including thoughts on the status of Harden's sore left knee and the importance of Houston building separation from both Golden State and Toronto as the season heads down the home stretch.

#Rockets #NBA #Mavs #Warriors

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In a possible NBA Finals preview, the Rockets' valiant comeback effort fell just short Friday night in a 108-105 loss in Toronto. MVP frontrunner James Harden scored 40 points on a ridiculous 15-of-22 shooting, but Kyle Lowry nearly matched him with 30 points on 10-of-14 FG and 7-of-9 from behind the arc.

The loss snapped Houston's NBA-best winning streak at 17 games, as the Rockets fell to 51-14 on the season.

Our postgame show breaks down the Harden-Lowry battle and all of the other the key storylines, including strength by Clint Capela (13/13) against Jonas Valanciunas, an underwhelming night from Chris Paul (13 points, 5-of-13 FG), and the sluggish early defense that allowed Toronto to race out to a 19-point lead.

The third and final segment of the show explores the convergent paths of Houston and Toronto, including why many of the reasons the 2017-18 Rockets deserve the benefit of the doubt for prior playoff shortcomings apply to the 2017-18 Raptors as well.

#Rockets #NBA #Raptors

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The Rockets (51-13) extended their winning streak to an NBA-best 17 games with a workmanlike 110-99 victory at Milwaukee on night two of a road back-to-back.

Wednesday night's postgame show explores how they got it done against the likely playoff-bound Bucks (34-31), led by a stifling defensive effort early on and fresh first-half legs from James Harden (26 points, 6 assists, 4 steals).

The show also explores the sustained brilliance off the bench from Eric Gordon (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6-of-12 FG), who is now shooting 48% from the field and 49% from behind the arc in the four games since his return last week. Tune in!

#Rockets #NBA #Bucks

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Chris Paul led the way with 25 points (5-of-6 on three-pointers) as the Rockets (50-13) won their 16th consecutive game with an impressive 122-112 road victory at Oklahoma City (37-29). Houston is now tied with Boston for the NBA's longest winning streak this season and remains ahead of the Warriors (49-14) in the race for the West's No. 1 seed.

James Harden was somewhat efficient with 23 points (8-of-13 FG) and 11 assists (but 10 turnovers), while Clint Capela and Nene combined for 18 points and 8 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting vs. Steven Adams on the interior.

Our postgame show examines all the key storylines from Tuesday night, including how the Rockets made an important statement in knocking off the star-studded Thunder (led by Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony) and avenged a Christmas loss in the same building when Paul didn't play.

The final segment of the show examines the intense battle for home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs between the Rockets and Warriors (50-14). With both teams now having fewer than 20 games remaining in the regular season, what should fans expect? Tune in!

#Rockets #NBA #Thunder

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The Rockets (49-13) won their 15th consecutive game with a stirring comeback Saturday night vs. Boston (44-20), led by 29 points off the bench from Eric Gordon, 17 rebounds from Clint Capela, and a 16-7 closing kick in the final three minutes.

Our postgame recap examines all the highlights, including the importance of Gordon stepping up amid relatively inefficient nights from James Harden (26 points, 33% FG) and Chris Paul (15 points, -7 in 35 minutes) and the role of grit and desire shown by the likes of Trevor Ariza (21 points, +13, 8-of-18 FG) and P.J. Tucker (9 points, +8, 3-of-6 on three-pointers). Tune in:

#Rockets #NBA #Celtics

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Clint Capela and Eric Gordon each returned from illness-related absences with 22 points, and James Harden finished with 25 points, seven assists, and one filthy crossover on Wesley Johnson as the Rockets (48-13) extended their winning streak to 14 with a 105-92 triumph at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Thursday's recap episode explores those storylines and more, including a recent shooting slump by Chris Paul (4-of-21, or 19%, from three-point line since the All-Star break) and why the 39-12 blitz Houston put on the Clippers to start the game was a critical reminder of the "extra gear" possessed by the Rockets.

#Rockets #NBA #Clippers

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Road play-by-play broadcaster and home PA announcer Matt Thomas joins the show from Los Angeles, where he updates the Rockets' health (Eric Gordon, Clint Capela) and dissects all the major trends heading into Wednesday night’s late game vs. the Clippers.

Is it time to buy in on the Rockets (47-13) having a legitimate shot to defeat the Warriors (47-14) in the playoffs, and is James Harden already an MVP lock? Matt discusses those issues and much more in his regular chat with our Ben DuBose.

 #Rockets #NBA

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Mike D'Antoni and James Harden's team, defensive? You bet. On night two of a road back-to-back at high altitude, the shorthanded Rockets (46-13) held the previously red-hot Jazz to just 85 points and extended their winning streak to 13.

Here’s a recap of how they did it, with special praise for defensive ace Luc Mbah a Moute (17 points, 7-of-7 FG, including 15 in the fourth quarter), a crucial defensive adjustment by D'Antoni, and an under-the-radar efficient night from Harden (26 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 8-of-13 FG).

The show also explores the illness-related absences of Clint Capela and Eric Gordon, as well as minor injuries to Ryan Anderson (hip flexor) and Brandan Wright (knee). The absence of those four players left Houston with only nine active players in Utah.

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MVP frontrunner James Harden was spectacular with 41 points (55% FG, 60% on 3s, 81% FT) to go with 8 rebounds and 7 assists as the Rockets (46-13) extended their winning streak to 12 games with a 119-114 triumph at Denver on Sunday night. The Rockets are now 3-0 vs. the likely playoff-bound Nuggets (33-27) this season.

Chris Paul (23/6/5) was solid in a supporting role behind Harden, while newcomer Brandan Wright flashed in his Houston debut — posting a plus/minus of +9 in 15 minutes in his first outing as Houston's backup center (Nene rested on night one of a road back-to-back).

Sunday's postgame show explores those storylines and more, including the importance of taking care of business against another potential playoff opponent and why Houston's newfound rotation depth is helping unlock the best versions of veteran role players such as Ryan Anderson (8 points, 5 rebounds, +10), Trevor Ariza (14 points, 5-of-7 FG), Luc Mbah a Moute (team-best +12 in 23 minutes) and P.J. Tucker (9 points, 3-of-5 three-point FG).

The recap episode also discusses the increased usage of Joe Johnson (7 points, 29 minutes) and why the temporary absence of Eric Gordon (illness) may be artificially increasing his minutes over the short-term.

#Rockets #NBA #Nuggets

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