COUNTDOWN TO LIFTOFF
James Harden and the Rockets are ready for prime time
Jul 31, 2020, 12:44 pm
Composite photo by Brandon Strange
The Beard is back!
After the last three games, James Harden is averaging 30 points per game and 8.3 assists from the field. Harden has showed his complete readiness in these three games. He was able to score 30 points in the first half against the Boston Celtics Tuesday night.
30 points in the first-half for Harden with 7 3PT made. What will he finish the night with? https://t.co/zOt5BFyrjc— Houston Rockets (@Houston Rockets) 1595985887.0
Harden is in a great shape after an extreme weight loss. He was able to enjoy yoga and a ton of conditioning in Arizona.
"Conditioning, extra sprints after practice and pushing myself to be the best I can be," as Harden told Anthony Duckett from Space City Scoop.
Harden has a grand total of 16 threes in these last three scrimmages. He was able to make contested and step-back threes against opponents. Harden made basketball look easy against tough defenders. He even made sure his teammates were involved the entire game. Harden made sure the ball was rotated to find the correct shot for his teammates. He showcased his court vision by finding PJ Tucker or Ben McLemore for open looks in the corner.
Mike D'Antoni loved Harden's passion for the game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets were down by seven with the Grizzlies leading 87-79 at the end of the third quarter. D'Antoni wanted to take Harden out, but he refused because they were down.
Beard coming up big tonight! 🏀 31pts 🏀 9ast 🏀 8reb 🏀 5 3s ✔️ Win https://t.co/vPZsT3njE6— Houston Rockets (@Houston Rockets) 1595818015.0
"I tried to [take] James out with about four minutes to go, but he wouldn't have any of it," D'Antoni said Sunday night. "He wanted to play and win. That's the type of person he is. He's such a competitor."
Harden was able to lead the Rockets to a 119-104 victory over the Grizzlies. He finished the game with 31 points and nine assists.
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹. 😤 https://t.co/G43dz3QiNM— Houston Rockets (@Houston Rockets) 1596036312.0
Harden is more than capable of leading the Rockets to better seed with Russell Westbrook on his side. He is ready for the noise to stop by playing great basketball. He'll have his first opportunity Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
On the eve of Houston's opener, James Harden has this message for #Rockets fans back home: "We bringing it back to… https://t.co/g2rlNkhZ1N— Ben DuBose (@Ben DuBose) 1596146960.0
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The Houston Astros are hoping their ace can help them build momentum.
After taking the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the AL West–leading Astros (58–42) send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound Tuesday night looking to stretch their edge and get back on track following a rocky 10-game stretch.
Valdez (10–4, 2.75 ERA) has been steady all season, and Houston needs another big outing. The Astros have dropped seven of their last ten despite strong efforts from their starting rotation. But Valdez, with a 1.12 WHIP and 125 strikeouts, remains the club’s most consistent option, and his ability to navigate Arizona’s home run, heavy lineup could be the key to another series win.
The Diamondbacks (50–51), meanwhile, sit just under .500 but have shown flashes, especially at home. Arizona averages nearly 1.5 homers per game, led by Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll. But left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (3–6, 5.94 ERA) has struggled in his first season with the club and draws a tough assignment against one of the AL’s top on-base units.
Just in the nick of time?
Christian Walker, who hit a clutch double against is former team in the opener, is finally giving the Astros the middle-of-the-order power they hoped for when they brought him in. Walker has 13 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 51 RBIs for the Astros. With the Astros' rash of injuries, they need Walker's production now more than ever. He has 4 RBIs and 1 dinger in his last 3 games.
Houston enters Tuesday with a narrow edge in the series and on the betting line (-126), but they know there’s little room for error. While Arizona has split its last ten games and actually outscored opponents during that span, the Astros are still trying to shake off a slump that’s seen them hit just .234 with a 4.83 ERA in their last 10.
With the trade deadline looming and the division race tightening, every game — and every inning Valdez can give them — matters a little more.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -126, Diamondbacks +105; over/under is 8 1/2 runs.
Game 2 lineup
Back at it.
⚾️: 8:40pm CDT | 6:40pm MST
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/fPitYgSnMf
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 22, 2025
What are the big takeaways from Tuesday night's lineup? Cam Smith is leading off again, even though many have been pleading with Joe Espada (me included) to leave him in the cleanup spot. Altuve is in the two-spot and serving as the DH.
Hey, at least Christian Walker isn't hitting fourth! (We'll take the small victories when we get them)! Walker is hitting third, followed by Yainer Diaz (C), and Chas McCormick (CF). Game 1 hero Brice Matthews is hitting six and playing second base, followed by Mauricio Dubon (3B), Cooper Hummel (LF), and Zack Short (SS).
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