TOUCH LUCK
How Lottery fallout forces Rockets to rethink trade approach
May 13, 2025, 2:58 pm
The Lottery didn’t help the Rockets, so is a trade coming? Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images.
The NBA Draft Lottery didn't go Houston's way — and now the stakes are higher than ever for the Rockets. In this episode, we break down how the surprising results shake up Houston's future.
With the Mavericks jumping ahead to land Cooper Flagg despite just a 1.8% chance, and the Spurs also leaping up the board, the Rockets once again find themselves behind their Texas rivals. Is the NBA rigged? Houston fans are asking — and bringing receipts.
We look at what Flagg’s arrival in Dallas means for the Rockets’ rebuild timeline, and whether Houston has the star power to keep pace. Could Giannis actually head to Texas — but not to H-Town?
With pressure mounting, a blockbuster trade may be the only way out. Would you move Fred VanVleet to the Suns for Kevin Durant? We explore every scenario as GM Rafael Stone faces what could be his most pivotal offseason yet.
Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's Del Olaleye and Joe George share their thoughts on what the future holds for the Rockets, and much more!
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.