Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

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Rockets win third out of five as veteran guards assert control Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

The Rockets (28-11) snapped their two-game losing streak and won for the third time in five games with a 116-107 victory in Chicago over the Bulls (14-27). Houston led by 19 points with under two minutes to go, but the Bulls closed the game on a 10-0 spurt to make the final appear artificially close.

After shooting just six times in the game's first 44 minutes on Saturday, Chris Paul was much more aggressive on Monday with 24 points (8-of-17 FG), 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in his 37 minutes. Meanwhile, Gerald Green continued his incredible surge with 22 points (8-of-15 FG) in 23 minutes off the bench. Eric Gordon tied Paul with a game-high 24 points (8-of-18 FG), along with a season-best 9 assists.

On the interior, Clint Capela (15 points, 5-of-7 FG, 16 rebounds) dominated Robin Lopez (2 points, 1 rebound, 15 minutes, -14) as Houston controlled the paint with a 51-37 rebounding advantage.

Looking at forwards, Trevor Ariza (18 points, 6-of-13 on 3-point FG, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) was steady on defense throughout and got hot from the field late to salt the game away. Ryan Anderson and P.J. Tucker continued to struggle with their shot (4-of-11 FG combined), but each had key second-half threes as the Rockets regained control after blowing a 34-13 early lead.

#Rockets #NBA #Bulls

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Rockets lose second straight with ugly second half in Detroit Jan 07, 2018

Show notes

The Rockets (27-11) lost their second consecutive game and seventh of nine overall with a 108-101 defeat on Saturday night against the Pistons (21-17) in Detroit.

After scoring 37 points in the first quarter, Houston seemed to run out of steam in the second half with just 43 points in both quarters combined — and 17 of those 43 came in the final four minutes, when the game had already effectively been decided and Detroit eased its defensive intensity.

Chris Paul led the way for Houston with 16 points (5-of-10 FG), 13 assists, and 7 rebounds, but four of his 10 attempts came in the aforementioned closing stretch.

Sunday's postgame Locked on Rockets recap explores all the key storylines, including the need for Paul to be a more assertive scorer in the absence of James Harden, continued inconsistencies across the board on defense, and a another nightmarish showing from Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, and P.J. Tucker from behind the arc (4-of-19 combined). Listen in:

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Alykhan Bijani on the Xs and Os without Harden Jan 05, 2018

Show notes

Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) joins the show to explore schematic and tactical changes made by the Rockets and head coach Mike D'Antoni in two games played since losing James Harden to injury earlier this week.

These changes include larger roles for guards Chris Paul and Eric Gordon, as well as the continued integration of newcomer Gerald Green. Based largely on the success of those three, the Rockets (27-10) are averaging 115 points in their two games without Harden.

Aly and Ben also explore the defensive issues exposed in Thursday's loss to Golden State (31-8) and address whether the problems can reasonably be fixed without making an external move.

#Rockets #NBA

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Green continues stunning surge, but Warriors show too much firepower Jan 05, 2018

Show notes

Gerald Green scored 29 points (8-of-15 on 3s) off the bench, while Chris Paul (28 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds) and Eric Gordon (30 points, 7 assists) were breathtaking as Houston's starting backcourt. But led by 57 combined points from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors (31-8) simply had too much firepower and eventually pulled away from the Rockets (27-10) in a 124-114 victory at Toyota Center in Houston.

As expected, James Harden (hamstring) was out for the Rockets, while Kevin Durant (calf) sat out for the Warriors.

Thursday's postgame show explores the Warriors' offensive dominance and why the injury to Luc Mbah a Moute (dislocated shoulder) and the recent ineffectiveness of P.J. Tucker put the Rockets in a quandary when it comes to matching up with Golden State on the defensive end.

The show also touches on the postgame report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that the Rockets plan to sign Green to a guaranteed contract for the remainder of the season, as well as the potential implications it could have for the remainder of the rotation — including Tucker, Mbah a Moute, and the struggling Ryan Anderson.

#Rockets #NBA #Warriors

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Rockets post first dominant win in weeks with beatdown in Orlando Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

The Rockets (27-9) won their first game of James Harden's absence and second consecutive overall with a dominant 116-96 victory Wednesday in Orlando.

Our postgame Locked on Rockets recap examines all the key angles, including Chris Paul's excellence as a floor general (13 assists and a plus/minus of +23 in 32 minutes), a bounce-back performance from Clint Capela (21 points, 8 rebounds, +26 in 23 minutes) in his second game back from injury, and another hot night from Gerald Green behind the arc (27 points, 7-of-10 on threes).

The show also touches on the professionalism displayed by Houston in taking care of business early and saving minutes to key players for the second half of the back-to-back on Thursday vs. Golden State.

#Rockets #NBA #Magic

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What to watch for as life without James Harden begins in Houston Jan 02, 2018

Show notes

Tuesday's show explores the beginning of life without James Harden for the Rockets, who will be without their star guard for multiple weeks after a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Topics include the usage of Harden by head coach Mike D'Antoni, the changing roles of backcourt players like Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, and Gerald Green, and potential implications on the standings and schedule in the coming days.

The second half of the program previews Wednesday night's game in Orlando with Magic writer and podcaster Preston Ellis.

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Gritty comeback vs. Lakers snaps skid, but Harden exits early Jan 01, 2018

Show notes

The five-game losing streak is over for the Rockets (26-9), who overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, 148-142, in double overtime. However, the win came with a price as star guard James Harden (40 points, 11 assists) left early with a left hamstring strain.

Monday's postgame recap explores all the leading themes from the victory — including the "will to win" shown by Chris Paul (28 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds) in Harden's absence, as well as the early defensive shortcomings that put Houston in a 16-point hole.

The show concludes with initial thoughts on Harden's injury, his potential timetable for return, and how the Rockets can best manage it over the next few days.

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Losing streak reaches five in blowout loss to Wizards Dec 30, 2017

Show notes

The losing streak for the Rockets (25-9) is now at five following Friday night's 121-103 loss in Washington. James Harden led the way with 20 points (7-of-14 FG) but had five turnovers compared to just four assists, while newcomer Gerald Green scored 18 points (6-of-10 FG) in 27 minutes off the bench.

In our postgame show, I take a higher-level overview of the streak — including slumping performances from role players like Ryan Anderson and P.J. Tucker, sudden struggles in late-game execution, the impact in the Western Conference standings, and reasons not to panic as the team returns home for a New Year's Eve date with the Lakers.

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On signing Gerald Green, injury updates, and a Wizards preview Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

Thursday's show explores the latest injury updates on Chris Paul (adductor) and Clint Capela (orbital fracture), as well as why the Rockets opted to sign veteran swingman Gerald Green to a non-guaranteed contract and what it means for the short-term rotation and long-term finances.

On the second half of the program, Wizards insider Ben Standig of NBC Washington joins us to preview Friday's Rockets vs. Wizards matchup and offers his perspective on where both franchises are at as the 2017 calendar year draws to a close.

#Rockets #NBA #Wizards

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Harden, Capela not enough in OKC as slide extends to three Dec 26, 2017

Show notes

The Rockets (25-7) lost their third consecutive game with a 112-107 defeat at Oklahoma City (19-15) on Christmas night.

In our postgame show, Ben DuBose and Rockets’ radio network host Adam Clanton (interview starts at 17:37) offer their key takeaways, including a strong return by Clint Capela (19 points, 10 rebounds), improved efficiency from James Harden (14 assists, 1 turnover), and the role of the Chris Paul and Luc Mbah a Moute in the team’s recent defensive slide.

Ben and Adam also explore Paul’s impending return and explain why neither is overly concerned by Houston's sudden downturn on the floor after 14 consecutive wins.

Reminder: Wednesday’s show is sponsored by Draft. Go to Draft.com or download the Draft app and use the promo code LOROCKETS, and play in a real-money fantasy basketball draft for free.

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