Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

Another day, another big win. The Rockets (19-7) have now won eight consecutive games, and for the third time in the past week, they did so by 20 or more points. Salman Ali, managing editor of Red Nation Hoops, joins us to explain how Houston overwhelmed the Kings in the latest game, including a triple-double from James Harden on just 7 shots and huge nights from the field for Ryan Anderson and Sam Dekker.

Looking ahead, Salman and Ben debate the fate of Donatas Motiejunas, where the next loss might come, and whether the Rockets are significantly closer to title contention than where they appeared to be just a few weeks ago.

#Rockets #NBA #JamesHarden

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It was frustratingly close, but the Rockets (18-7) rode monster nights from James Harden (36 points, 11 assists) and Eric Gordon (24 points, 6-of-10 from three) and got key defensive plays late from Trevor Ariza, Pat Beverley, and Nene to hold off an upset bid from the Nets and win their seventh consecutive game. We break down the late success and also examine why the game was so close, starting with 15 missed free throws and poor interior defense from the likes of Clint Capela.

#Rockets #NBA #JamesHarden

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The Rockets are now 17-7 (.708) and the West's No. 3 seed after a pair of big weekend wins vs. the Thunder and Mavs extended their current winning streak to six games. We break down how it happened, led by improved defensive efficiency and a red-hot night from behind the arc against the Mavs. We also explore the latest odd turn in the ongoing saga of Donatas Motiejunas, including whether a bad physical could derail the deal.

#Rockets #NBA

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At long last, the Donatas Motiejunas saga appears to be over. The 26-year-old seven-footer signed a new deal on Friday in Houston, and we explain why the terms of the revised deal appear much more favorable for GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets.

#Rockets #NBA

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The Rockets (15-7) kept rolling with a massive 134-95 win over the Lakers, improving their mark to 9-2 since the return of Pat Beverley. We explore what went right on Wednesday at Toyota Center, starting with 12 assists from Beverley, 25 points on 14 shots from James Harden and 26 points (on a career-high 8 made threes!) from Eric Gordon. To close out the show, we catch up with ESPN's Calvin Watkins (15:02) to learn the latest turns in the odd negotiations between Donatas Motiejunas, agent B.J. Armstrong, and Houston's front office, led by GM Daryl Morey.

#Rockets #NBA #Lakers #JamesHarden

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Donatas Motiejunas shocked the Rockets (14-7) by not reporting on Tuesday after the team matched his contract, so what should Houston do next? We explain how the decision appears to have the fingerprints of agent B.J. Armstrong all over it, as well as why Rockets' fans and management should be patient and stay the course.

#Rockets #NBA

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Despite controversial officiating late, the Rockets (14-7) edged the Celtics (12-9) on the back of an MVP-level performance from James Harden (37 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds). We break down how Harden got it done, along with key under-the-radar contributions from Pat Beverley and Trevor Ariza. We also examine the bizarre flagrant foul whistled on Harden in the final 20 seconds that could have cost Houston the game.

#Rockets #NBA #JamesHarden

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After taking the full three days to mull it over, GM Daryl Morey opted to match Donatas Motiejunas' contract from Brooklyn and keep the seven-footer in Houston. Is keeping Motiejunas worth the future financial uncertainty, and how might he help the 2016-17 Rockets on the hardwood? Our Ben DuBose is joined by Paul (@RocketIntellect) to break down these issues and more in an immediate reaction podcast. Tune in!

#Rockets #NBA #Motiejunas

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The Rockets (13-7) are a .650 team (53+ win pace) despite playing 14 of their first 20 games on the road, so could things get even better with six of the next seven and 13 of the next 20 in Houston? We recap Friday night's 128-110 win in Denver and preview the schedule to come in the coming days and weeks. We also analyze the financial terms of Donatas Motiejunas' new contract with the Nets and explain why matching could be a more difficult decision for Daryl Morey than many realize.

#Rockets #NBA

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Did the #Rockets (12-7) just pull off one of their best regular-season wins ever? We break down Thursday night's 132-127 win at Golden State, led by another triple-double from James Harden and huge performances from Ryan Anderson (29 points), Eric Gordon, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, and Trevor Ariza as his supporting cast.

#Rockets #NBA #JamesHarden

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