Stephen A. Smith issues a strong warning about the surging Houston Rockets

STRONG WORDS

Stephen A. Smith issues a strong warning about the surging Houston Rockets
The Rockets are coming. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Rockets are coming off their ninth-straight win and are now officially challenging the Golden State Warriors. Houston is currently only a half game behind the Warriors and could knock them out of the play-in.

In the video above, Stephen A. Smith makes his case that the Rockets are beneficiaries of someone in the Celtics organization that was out to ruin coach Ime Udoka's career.

Also, he discusses how Jalen Green playing with his hair on fire, and the Rockets are executing at an elite level in the month of March. Smith believes this is all because of Udoka and the culture he's building in Houston.

Stephen A. finishes the video with a warning to the league: “The Rockets are coming. And it's because of Ime Udoka. Remember I said that.”

Be sure to watch the short video above for the full discussion.

Editor's note: Stephen A.'s video was recorded before the Rockets won their ninth-straight game on Monday night.

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The Astros beat the Cubs, 2-0. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Sunday.

Altuve’s 13th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. It was his first extra base hit in 34 at bats and the Astros' only extra base hit of the game.

Valdez (9-4) struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks.

Only one man reached third base against him. He exited with two on and nobody out in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu replaced him and retired Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to work out of trouble.

Abreu pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out four of the six men he faced.

Josh Hader retired the side in order in the ninth inning to convert on his franchise record 23rd straight save opportunity to start the season.

Jameson Taillon (7-6) matched zeroes with Valdez until Altuve’s home run on his 107th and final pitch of his outing. He struck out four while giving up five hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.

The bullpen trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller held the Astros to two hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Key Moment

Altuve’s fifth inning, two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.

Key Stat

The Astros are unbeaten in their last 11 series, dating back to May 22, going 9-0-2 in that span.

Up Next

The Cubs open a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday with LHP Matthew Boyd (7-3 2.65 ERA) against RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 3.68 ERA).

The Astros open a three-game series at the Rockies on Tuesday with LHP Colton Gordon (3-1 3.98 ERA) against RHP Chase Dollander (2-8 6.06 EA).

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