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Houston Rockets: Top 5 must-watch match ups for the 2018-19 season

By Brian K. Patterson

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk during a timeout in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk during a timeout in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Nov. 15th: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets fans have a bitter taste in our mouths from the way the Western Conference Finals ended, especially if Chris Paul was healthy through the that stretch.  We had the Warriors on the ropes but some freak injury by our star point guard cause our fate — and our championship hopes — to be all dashed in just one moment of incessant limping.

In our hearts, we knew the season was over because we know the truth of what Houston Rockets basketball looks like with James Harden back at the point, plenty of production of the scoring end but not enough to beat the Warriors as the isolation plays kill the momentum of the offense and the Warriors are like sitting ducks, waiting for the Beard to commit a turnover.  The likelihood of it happening is real and that’s what was ultimately our demise last season.

But we’ll get to see Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green as well as DeMarcus Cousins in the lineup.  You know, it’s almost unfair to see the Warriors sign him but these players know when they go there, the chances increase that they’ll get a ring.

He accepted a one-year worth $5.3 million, the Warriors’ mid-level exception that will actually cost them $16.3 million as it’s expected that the team will be the highest luxury taxpayer this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers losing LeBron to free agency.  That’ll be the case for Golden State to who are the odds-on favorite to win the championship once again this season.  Ugh.

Did any of you all think that Nick Young and JaVale McGee would actually have the chance to ring chase?  Well, they have at least one to their credit and nobody can take that away from them.

This will be a Thursday night match up on TNT to which the world will be watching as these two go toe-to-toe with similar philosophical strategies for success with the defending NBA champion just happening to know how to do it a bit better than we do.

By the way, the Rockets will have played seven games in a 11-day stretch, including a five-game road trip that takes them out East first, through the Midwest, back down South and then back out West before settling at home against the Warriors.  This stretch will be from Nov. 2-13.  This will be an ultimate test for the Rockets and we’ll see if they have the mettle to measure up.

The Warriors were not surprisingly No. 1 in offensive efficiency in 2017-18 (112.3 per 100) but slipped a bit to No. 8 defensive efficiency — two categories they used to rule — likely because of their two best defenders — Curry and Durant — missing a combined 45 games last season with various ailments.

All I have to say is — BRING THEM ON!

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