James Harden led the Rockets to a 4-0 week. Rockets.com
Four games last week, four more wins. The Rockets survived a tough test in Miami, and steamrolled through the other three matchups to extend their most recent winning streak to eight games. In addition, the rich got richer as Houston is expected to sign veteran guard Joe Johnson Monday after clearing waivers.
A recent “slump” by the Golden State Warriors (at least by Golden State’s current standards) has allowed the Rockets to close the gap to with a half game of the League/Conference lead. The Rockets’ division lead is beginning to resemble that of last year’s Astros, as they hold an 8 game lead over the Spurs.
Game 52: Rockets at Brooklyn Nets (W, 123-113)
Tuesday served as part one of back to back games and game three of the Rockets current four-game road trip. Trevor Ariza sat once again as Houston tipped off against the Nets in what looked on paper to be an easy Rockets win. Houston added to their tally as the highest scoring first quarter team in the league with a 38-point effort; however Brooklyn remained close after one quarter with 31 point of their own. Houston would lead throughout the remainder of the half, however - surprisingly enough - Brooklyn’s own three-point barrage would enable them to seize the lead toward the middle of the third.
That was all that James Harden and Chris Paul needed to see.
Behind the two superstars, Houston kicked on the afterburners and left the Nets behind for a double digit victory. In addition to 36 points and 5 assists, Harden also surpassed 15,000 career points that evening. Paul finished with 25 points and 5 assists, while Clint Capela added 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Game 53: Rockets at Miami Heat (W, 109-101)
It was “Vice night” in Miami, and the pesky team looked all the part in their fluorescent alternate jerseys. It was also game two of back-to-back games, in which the Rockets made it to their hotel at 3:45 a.m. the night before. If there was ever a game to drop, it would be one with an exhausted team against a staunch defensive squad such as the Heat, all while missing Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon.
Winning games like these, however, make statements.
Houston once again jumped out to a quick lead with a 35-24 first quarter, and went on to dominate the first half while leading by as much as 17 at one point. The third quarter was shades of the night before, however, as the Heat closed the gap and traded leads with the Rockets. It would be Harden, once again, with some late game heroics -- this time in the form of back to back 3-pointers -- to seal the hard fought victory, complete the road sweep, and extend the Rockets’ current winning streak to six. Harden continued his recent streak of unreal performances, this time to the tune of 41 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Paul added 25 points and 7 assists.
Game 54: Rockets vs Denver Nuggets (W, 130-104)
The media tries their best to make every game seem intriguing. As if both teams really do have a chance at winning. Sometimes, however, that’s just not the case. Friday night was one of those times, as the Rockets completely housed the Nuggets behind a career night for Clint Capela.
James Harden produced a quiet team-leading 28 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, while the entire focus centered (pun intended) on Capela, who finished with 23 points and a career high 25 rebounds in three quarters of basketball. Capela became the second youngest Rocket to record a 23 point, 25 rebound game, and I’m sure you can guess who was the youngest (hint: his last name rhymes with...smolajuwon). The Rockets led by as much as 35 at one point, and the entire fourth quarter was essentially a bench showcase.
Game 55: Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks (W, 104-97)
Sunday’s 6 p.m. tip-off was the epitome of a trap-game: playing a sub-par team (with a terrible, terrible alternate jersey) right after an impressive blowout, but just before an important matchup.
It was a lazy, sloppy affair from the Rockets end, and the lack of respect for the Mavericks was apparent throughout. Lazy and sloppy, it turns out, was more than enough for Houston to power past Dallas, and although the final score suggests a close game, it was far from it. The Rockets essentially toyed with them throughout, and finally KO-ed the Mavericks in the fourth. Harden finished with 27 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds, and Chris Paul was absolutely disrespectful on his way to 25 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Capela added 16 points, and 11 rebound as well.
Looking ahead:
This week the Rockets get two looks at the Timberwolves, as well as contests against the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets once again.
Houston handled the Timberwolves in their first meeting with surprising ease, however Minnesota remains the fourth best team in the Western Conference for a reason. I can’t imagine winning both games against their squad this week, however the Kings and Nuggets matchups should be cake walks. I expect at worst a 3-1 week.
How latest reports abruptly shift Houston Astros rotation x-factors
Mar 18, 2024, 7:23 pm
Bruce Bochy doesn’t ever want the Texas Rangers to let go of those memories of their first World Series title.
“We just don’t want to lean on them,” said Bochy, whose first season with the Rangers ended with the first World Series championship for the 63-year-old franchise, and his fourth as a big league manager.
While Texas has the opportunity to be the first team in a quarter-century to win back-to-back world championships — the New York Yankees were the last, with three in a row from 1998-2000 — the Rangers aren’t even defending champs in their own division.
And they aren’t favored to win the AL West this season.
Houston is again the odds-on favorite in the division it has won each of the last six full MLB seasons since the Rangers finished on top in 2016. The Astros won their regular season finale last Oct. 1, matched Texas at 90-72 and won the AL West since they were 9-4 head-to-head.
The Astros have made the AL Championship Series the past seven seasons, even when not division champs in the 2020 season shortened to 60 games because of the pandemic. They made four trips to the Fall Classic and won two titles in that span.
Dusty Baker retired days after Houston lost ALCS Game 7 at home to the Rangers last fall, finishing with 2,183 wins over 26 seasons as a big league manager with five teams.
New Astros manager Joe Espada, their bench coach for six seasons, is certainly familiar with a lineup that has big hitters Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, and a loaded starting rotation.
Espada isn't the division's only new manager. Ron Washington, who took the Rangers to their previous World Series in 2010 and 2011, was hired by the Angels, who still have Mike Trout but not two-way star Shohei Ohtani, now with the other team in Los Angeles.
Seattle again revamped its roster without big spending in free agency and hopes for a quicker return to the playoffs. The Mariners missed by one game last season, a year after its first postseason appearance since 2001.
And just like last year, the Athletics go into another season not knowing if it will be their last in Oakland.
HOW THEY PROJECT1. Houston Astros. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, reacquired in a deadline trade last July, will start this season on the injured list. But the 41-year-old’s IL stint is expected to be a short one. The Astros still have lefty Framber Valdez (12-11, 2.45 ERA, 200 strikeouts and a no-hitter) and right-hander Cristian Javier. Eight-time All-Star second baseman Altuve signed a new $125 million, five-year contract that goes through 2029. But two-time All-Star third baseman Bregman, the only other position player to make all seven ALCS trips, is at the end of a $100 million deal.
2. Texas Rangers. After going from six losing seasons in a row to a World Series title, the Rangers should be playoff contenders again. They return ALCS MVP Adolis García and most of the lineup that hit 233 homers and scored an AL-high 5.4 runs per game. But World Series MVP and AL MVP runner-up shortstop Corey Seager (sports hernia), Gold Glove first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (oblique strain) and All-Star third baseman Josh Jung (calf) missed significant time in the spring. All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi tops a rotation still missing injured multiple Cy Young Award winners Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom.
3. Seattle Mariners. The front office put together a roster that might be better than last year, but everybody has to stay healthy. Seattle should be better offensively with the additions of Mitch Garver, Mitch Haniger, Jorge Polanco and Luke Raley to go with young superstar Julio Rodriguez. If J.P. Crawford can replicate last season at the plate and Ty France returns to his 2021-22 form, the lineup will be deeper. Couple a better offense with one of the best rotations in baseball led by Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, the Mariners should once again contend in the division.
4. Los Angeles Angels. They feel like they’re starting over yet again and still haven't been to the playoffs since 2014. Ohtani left after six seasons for a record $700 million with the perennially contending Dodgers. The Halos added almost nothing in free agency, only revamping their bullpen again and taking low-cost flyers on Aaron Hicks and Miguel Sano. Trout and Anthony Rendon are back, and an open DH spot will allow them to rest their injury-prone bodies more regularly. Their rotation is last year’s group minus Ohtani. The 71-year-old Washington brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm, which should benefit an exciting crop of young talent ready to break through in the majors.
5. Oakland Athletics. This could be the final season playing at the Coliseum with a lease set to expire. So the A's are still trying to figure out where they will play beyond this year with a new ballpark and move to Las Vegas scheduled for 2028. Manager Mark Kotsay has been committed to keeping his team focused on what it can do to be better on the field after two years with a combined 214 losses (112 last season). The A’s acquired Ross Stripling from the San Francisco Giants and added Alex Wood to the rotation.
OLD SKIPPERSWhen the 74-year-old Baker retired, Bochy became the oldest manager in the majors. That lasted only a few weeks until the Angels hired Washington. Bochy will turn 69 on April 16, just 13 days before Washington turns 72. Bochy, with 2,093 wins going into his 27th season, is one of six managers with four World Series titles, his first three coming in San Francisco (2010, 2012 and 2014). Washington won a franchise-record 664 games in eight seasons with Texas from 2007-14. He was on Atlanta's staff the past seven years, and part of the Braves' 2021 World Series title.
RELIEF HELPSeveral new relievers are in the AL West, including hard-throwing lefty Josh Hader with the Astros, veteran right-hander David Robertson and former All-Star closer Kirby Yates in Texas, Gregory Santos and Ryne Stanek in Seattle and Robert Stephenson with the Angels.
Hader's $95 million, five-year deal was the biggest after becoming a first-time free agent. The 29-year-old, once in the Astros' minor league system, turned down a $20,325,000 qualifying offer from San Diego.