Rockets blow lead, lose 117-111

Three pointers from Rockets loss to Bucks

Russell Westbrook
James Harden.

The Rockets kicked off the 2019-2020 season Thursday night at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets jumped out to a massive 16-point lead and controlled the game throughout the first three quarters. Fueled by a Giannis Antetokounmpo triple-double, the Bucks would lead a furious comeback in the fourth quarter to eventually knock off the Rockets.

Tyson Chandler kicks down the door

Tyson Chandler was one of the later additions to the roster this off-season but took very little time making his presence known. In his first seven minutes on the floor in a Rockets uniform the backup big man crushed multiple alley-oops to the tune of 8 points and 4 rebounds. In the first half it looked as though father time had turned back the clock 11 years and slid him into a hornets uniform. Chandler brought a fiery energy on the court in starting center Clint Capela's absence, as well from the sidelines.

New parts need oiling

The Rockets were in control throughout the first three quarters, but the growing pains were apparent. Bobbled passes from Russell Westbrook to Clint Capela, slightly mis-timed alley oop lobs from James Harden to Chandler, and an overall lack of synchronization contributed to Milwaukee climbing back into the game in the fourth quarter. It will take some time for all of the new faces to get on the same page, so there's no reason for concern yet.

Welcome Westbrook

If Chandler knocked the door down, Westbrook drove through it with a tank. Brodie brought the same patented relentlessness he became famous for in OKC straight to his first start in Rockets Red. Westbrook carved up Milwaukee inside all night long, in addition to flying over everyone on the court for unreal rebounds. Look for Westbrook to push a much faster tempo all season than previous years.

Rockets Player of the Game

Russell Westbrook: 24 points, 7 assists, 16 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

Bucks Player of the Game

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30 points, 11 assists, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block

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A familiar face is back, and the Rockets aren’t done

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Houston will have to lean on Altuve and Paredes with Peña on the IL. Composite Getty Image.

Fresh off their 50th win of the season, the Houston Astros begin a three-game series in Colorado on Tuesday night, looking to stay hot against a Rockies team still searching for answers.

Houston enters the matchup atop the AL West with a 50–34 record, having won seven of its last 10 games. Though the Astros haven’t been as sharp on the road — just 18–20 away from home — their pitching and power-hitting combo continues to give opponents fits. Isaac Paredes leads the team with 17 home runs, and when Houston clears the fences multiple times in a game, the results speak for themselves: an 18–5 record when hitting two or more homers.

Victor Caratini has quietly chipped in during this recent stretch, going 8-for-33 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games, helping make up for some offensive inconsistency. Houston’s team batting average over that span sits at just .225.

Left-hander Colton Gordon takes the mound Tuesday, carrying a 3-1 record and 3.98 ERA into his ninth start of the year. He’ll face a Colorado offense that’s scuffled all season, particularly at home. The Rockies have managed just eight wins in 40 games at Coors Field and are riding a 2–8 skid. Rookie righty Chase Dollander (2-8, 6.06 ERA) gets the start for Colorado as he looks to slow down a Houston team that has found different ways to win.

While Hunter Goodman and Mickey Moniak have provided some spark for the Rockies at the plate, the team has been outscored by 26 runs over the past 10 games and owns one of the league’s worst pitching staffs, a troubling combo against an Astros club that doesn’t need many openings to take control.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. For Houston, it’s a chance to keep momentum rolling against the team with MLB’s worst record. For Colorado, it’s another test in a season full of them.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -173, Rockies +144; over/under is 11 1/2 runs

Astros news

Shay Whitcomb has been recalled from Sugar Land to take Pena's place on the roster.

Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for Game 1.

So what stands out? With Peña unavailable, manager Joe Espada is once again using Paredes to leadoff, followed by Jake Meyers in the two-spot. Caratini is hitting fifth and will serve as the DH. He's followed by Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. Cooper Hummel will hit eighth and play left field, as Jose Altuve is playing second base. Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and fill in for Peña at shortstop.


Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.

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