Houston Rockets Redux: Week 13: 01/17/2015

It’s another week of wins but an unfortunate loss for the Houston Rockets.

The plot thickened with plenty of twists and turns as the Rockets took on the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns.

There were high points, there were low points there were moments were it was in-between and we were scratching our heads.

Despite all of what happened, the Rockets amassed a 3-1 record for this past week with few surprises in regard to how the week turned out.

I expected the Rockets to put out a better effort against the Warriors than they did.

In all four occasions this season, the Rockets were dominated on all counts and there was nothing they could do about it.

This was despite the adjustments that were made to match up and those efforts were rendered fruitless.

The Warriors own the Rockets this season — it’s really tough to admit that but it’s true.

But remember that championships are won after the regular season, not during so the competitiveness this team will have could be totally different by then.

You can bank on it.

It will be time to hit the reset button and set the record to 0-0.

I know many will have their doubts but this will do what it takes to get the job done.

This was quite an intriguing week, let’s take a look at how they did:

Jan 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers guard

Donald Sloan

(15) dribbles against Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 110 to 98. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets 110, Pacers 98: The Rockets were facing the once 15-27 Indiana Pacers for the only time this season at Toyota Center. A match up that us fans once coveted, the Pacers are only a shell of what they once were. This is largely because of the absence of their star Paul George, who is out for the season after injury that occurred back in the summer. This was one of those games where the Rockets had control throughout but the Pacers kept fighting hard to stay in the game. This was because Rockets got comfortable and un-finesse like in their play allowing the Pacers to close within nine. But James Harden came to the rescue with a couple of step-back jumpers/threes and a pair of free throws to put the game out of reach for their opponent. This was a season-high for the Beard and this was just one of the games were you knew there was no chance the Rockets would let slip away.

Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) fouls Golden State Warriors guard

Klay Thompson

(11) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets 126, Warriors 113: In a game that needed to be won in the worst of ways, the Rockets failed miserably. The Golden State Warriors completely dominated this game and they were to get what they wanted, when they wanted it. It’s extremely hard to win at Oracle Arena with their dedicated, passionate home crowd and they still only have one loss at home. I was hoping we’d hand them their 2nd but that didn’t happen. It was a shame too with all of the talent this team has how we were just pummeled to death throughout. It was a game of tensions — Josh Smith got thrown out after arguing a call with a ref and Trevor Ariza got slapped with a technical after jawing back-and-forth with Stephen Curry, who shared the violation as well. For some reason, we just don’t match up well with this team but I reserve my final judgement when the playoffs start. The Warriors had as much as 27-point lead over the Rockets and the only bright spots were Harden with his 33 points and Corey Brewer had 20 points off the bench. This was one of those games that I was definitely glad when it was over. It was too much pain and suffering.

Jan 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the game winning shot at the buzzer against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets 113, Suns 111: This game was one that the Rockets had control of somewhat but that diminished once Dwight Howard had to exit the game after an ankle sprain that was sustained with 3:31 left in the 1st quarter. He had landed wrong after a rebound attempt and he did not return as a result. The Rockets had to go to a smaller lineup but they were able to manage against the Suns to which I still knew they could beat without D12. Smoove was everywhere on the court, playing hard-nosed defense and doing whatever it took to help the team win in D12’s stead. I’m not sure what Howard told him in the locker room but he definitely stepped up his game another notch. The game was in hand until late in 4th quarter where the Suns used a 12-4 run to tie the game at 111-all. With 16 seconds left, an isolation play was ran for the Beard, to which he stepped back and hit one his most clutch shots I’ve seen in some time with no time left on the clock. Bill Worrell was at his best on that call coupled with his “cold-blooded” signature component of dagger shots. This was one of those games the Rockets remained resilient despite the challenges and one a fan could be proud of.

Jan 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward

Ed Davis

(21) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) battle for a rebound in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets 99, Lakers 87: This game was one the Rockets had control of from the tip. They were enjoying double-digits leads of more than 20 points until a brief blip on the radar when the Lakers cut it to 12 (90-82) with 3:56 left on a Jeremy Lin free throw off a Donatas Motiejunas foul. This was a basketball clinic of sorts as the Rockets got what they wanted, when they wanted. This game also featured a starting lineup — Jordan Clarkson, Wayne Ellington, Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre — that I ashamedly had to go look up outside of Jordan Hill. Harden had 37 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals off 12-for-20 shooting from the field and 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. The Rockets rolled in this one.

Houston Rockets Redux: Week 13: 01/17/2015 – 01/25/2015

By Brian K. Patterson | Jan 26, 2015