With top record secure, Spurs ground Rockets as Paul sits out

Gordon, Harden power Rockets in ugly win vs. Detroit: Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 22 points and 5 assists in a lethargic 100-96 overtime win on Thursday night over the Pistons (32-40). With the win, the Rockets (57-14) remain effectively five games up on the Warriors and Raptors with only 10 to play in the race for the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs. James Harden was uncharacteristically inefficient with 21 points on 4-of-20 shooting, but he scored 10 points in overtime (on 50% shooting) to will Houston to the victory. The Rockets entered the game coming off a brutal three-game road trip in four nights to New Orleans, Minnesota, and Portland, including a grueling win Tuesday over the Blazers, and seemingly had tired legs all over the roster. Chris Paul sat out with minor left hamstring soreness, while Luc Mbah a Moute departed after playing just seven minutes with tendonitis in his left knee. Our postgame show explores those storylines an by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

30 min listen

Fight night: How the Rockets' best shot wasn't enough in LA: The Rockets (30-12) had their three-game winning streak snapped by the Clippers (22-21) in Los Angeles on Monday night in a game marred by Blake Griffin's apparent intentional contact with Mike D'Antoni and a postgame skirmish between the two teams. Chris Paul led the way with 19 points (8-of-17 FG) for Houston and also posted seven assists and six rebounds in his return to Staples Center, but 60 combined points from Griffin and former Rocket Lou Williams were tough to overcome. The No. 7-seeded Clippers have now won 11 of their past 14 games, including a 19-point victory at Golden State last week, and would play the Rockets in the first round if the season ended today. Our postgame show breaks down all the key storylines, including implications of the altercation, subpar shooting from perimeter shooters like Eric Gordon and Gerald Green, and a disappointing defensive effort on the interior from Clint Capela (10 points, 7 reb by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

36 min listen

Defense regresses, Gordon's slump lingers as Wolves take Game 3: James Harden and Chris Paul combined for 46 points and 13 assists on 50% FG, but the Rockets lost a disappointing Game 3 by 16 points amid woeful defense, great shooting from Minnesota (15-of-27 on 3s), and another poor showing from Eric Gordon (5-of-16 FG). Our Ben DuBose breaks it all down, including reasons not to panic based on historical evidence and the context of Houston's superb showing on defense in Game 2. #Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #Wolves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

33 min listen

Rockets lose second straight with ugly second half in Detroit: The Rockets (27-11) lost their second consecutive game and seventh of nine overall with a 108-101 defeat on Saturday night against the Pistons (21-17) in Detroit. After scoring 37 points in the first quarter, Houston seemed to run out of steam in the second half with just 43 points in both quarters combined — and 17 of those 43 came in the final four minutes, when the game had already effectively been decided and Detroit eased its defensive intensity. Chris Paul led the way for Houston with 16 points (5-of-10 FG), 13 assists, and 7 rebounds, but four of his 10 attempts came in the aforementioned closing stretch. Sunday's postgame Locked on Rockets recap explores all the key storylines, including the need for Paul to be a more assertive scorer in the absence of James Harden, continued inconsistencies across the board on defense, and a another nightmarish showing from Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, and P.J. Tucker from behind t by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

28 min listen

Gordon, Green soar past Hawks as No. 1 spot becomes inevitable: Eric Gordon (22 points, 8-of-13 FG, +19) remained in peak efficiency Sunday night while Gerald Green (25 points, 10-of-15 FG) was once again a key difference-maker off the Houston bench, leading the Rockets (60-14) to an easy 118-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (21-53). The league-leading Rockets — winners of 60 games in a season for the first time in franchise history — have now won nine consecutive games and 26 of their last 27. They are 30-2 since James Harden (18/15/10 on Sunday) returned from his hamstring injury on January 18. With the win and losses elsewhere by Toronto (54-20) and Golden State (54-19), Houston effectively has a six-game lead over both teams with only eight left to place in the race for the NBA's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The "magic number" for the Rockets to clinch the league's top mark is only three, making it a virtually insurmountable lead with so many games by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

33 min listen

Harden leads spectacular shooting display in Game 1 rout: James Harden had 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists as the red-hot Rockets (17-of-32 from three-point range) raced ahead of the Jazz in Game 1 of their second-round series and never looked back in a 110-96 win. Our postgame show breaks it all down, including the importance of Houston showing its so-called "A game" after a dynamic performance from Golden State the day before; continued postseason excellence from Clint Capela (16/12) against another elite big in Rudy Gobert; strong defense amid the return of Luc Mbah a Moute;and why a sluggish game from Eric Gordon (7 points, 0-of-6 FG) suggests the Rockets could offset a probable regression from three-point range. Tune in! #Rockets #NBA #Jazz #NBAPlayoffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

36 min listen

#RoadRyno returns as Harden, Capela-led D spurs road win: James Harden led the way with 28 points and 11 assists while Ryan Anderson, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela each had key moments, allowing the Rockets (37-13) to cruise to a 102-91 win in San Antonio over the rival Spurs (34-20). Anderson (13 points) scored in double figures for the third consecutive game for the first time since November, while Capela was instrumental in Houston's strong defensive performance with 13 rebounds and five blocks in his 35 minutes. Paul (right groin soreness) returned after a one-game absence with 10 points in 30 gutty minutes, including a critical stretch of six in a row in the fourth quarter after San Antonio had cut the lead to 82-76. Eric Gordon (back) and Trevor Ariza (left hamstring) remained out, as expected. Our postgame show breaks down all the key storylines, including the poise showed by Houston in controlling the game from the outset on the road and executing in the halfcourt against Gregg by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

34 min listen

Sweet Sixteen: CP3 shoots Houston to NBA's longest streak: Chris Paul led the way with 25 points (5-of-6 on three-pointers) as the Rockets (50-13) won their 16th consecutive game with an impressive 122-112 road victory at Oklahoma City (37-29). Houston is now tied with Boston for the NBA's longest winning streak this season and remains ahead of the Warriors (49-14) in the race for the West's No. 1 seed. James Harden was somewhat efficient with 23 points (8-of-13 FG) and 11 assists (but 10 turnovers), while Clint Capela and Nene combined for 18 points and 8 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting vs. Steven Adams on the interior. Our postgame show examines all the key storylines from Tuesday night, including how the Rockets made an important statement in knocking off the star-studded Thunder (led by Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony) and avenged a Christmas loss in the same building when Paul didn't play. The final segment of the show examines the intense battle for home-court ad by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

30 min listen

Locked on Rockets — October 26 — Houston shows poise of a contender in epic finish at Philly: Thursday's episode recaps an incredible finish in Houston's buzzer-beating win at Philadelphia, punctuated by the winning three from Eric Gordon (29 points). Our Ben DuBose breaks down how it happened, what it means, and who stood out for the Rockets (4-1), led by Gordon, James Harden (27 points, 13 assists) and another massive game for Clint Capela (16 points, 20 rebounds). #Rockets #NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

36 min listen

RECAP: Harden, Gordon launch Rockets in Boston: James Harden (42) and Eric Gordon (32) hit 14 three-pointers as Houston (38-25) won its fifth straight game with a big win at Boston. Our recap breaks it all down. Topics include Harden finally solving Boston’s defense; EG’s role as a key variable; more veteran steadiness in the clutch from Chris Paul (15/12) and PJ Tucker (9/8); and the team's soaring confidence after another “upside win.” #Rockets #NBA #Celtics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

36 min listen

No Harden, no problem: EG stays hot, CP3 returns in rout vs. Chicago: Chris Paul (13/10) returned from a three-game absence as the Rockets extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 118-86 rout of Chicago at Toyota Center in Houston. Eric Gordon continued his run of elite shooting with a team-high 31 points on 11-of-17 from the field, including eight of Houston's 18 made three-pointers as a team. With the win, the Rockets (61-14) reduced their "magic number" to two games to clinch the West's No. 1 seed over idle Golden State (54-19). Houston, which has won 31 of its last 33 games overall, is now on its third winning streak of 10+ games this season. James Harden and center Clint Capela each sat out vs. the Bulls (24-50) for precautionary maintenance reasons, while forward Luc Mbah a Moute missed his third consecutive game with a minor case of tendonitis in his left knee. Our postgame show breaks down those storylines and more from Tuesday's win, including how continued blowouts (H by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

28 min listen

RECAP: Harden's 58 for naught in stunning collapse vs. Brooklyn: MVP James Harden (58) set another historic scoring mark, Eric Gordon returned from an eight-game absence with 20 points (6/11 FG, +20), and the Rockets (25-19) broke the NBA record for attempted 3s. And somehow, they still lost the game. Wednesday's show explores the heartbreak of blowing an 8-point lead late in regulation, a 7-point lead late in overtime, and the possible role of Clint Capela and Chris Paul's absences in it... along with Gordon's early departure. #Rockets #NBA #Nets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

27 min listen

Late heroics from Green, Harden keep winning streak alive: Despite a combined 2-of-15 start, starting guards James Harden (28/10/8) and Gerald Green (15 points) each had dagger three-pointers in the final 20 seconds on Friday night, rallying the Rockets to a 104-103 home win over the Phoenix Suns. With the win, the Rockets (62-14) extended their current winning streak to 11 games. They've won 28 of their past 29 and 32 of their past 34, and their "magic number" to clinch home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs over Toronto is down to only one. P.J. Tucker (6-of-9 FG) had 18 points on a career-high five made three-pointers, while Joe Johnson (5-of-10 FG) had 16 points in just 21 minutes — including 14 in a critical stretch in the final four minutes of the third quarter, when Houston cut the lead from 18 to 11. Our postgame recap explores how persistence paid off for Green, Harden, and other Rockets, who kept shooting and playing hard despite a very sluggish start in the first h by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

32 min listen

Game 49: Soto HRs and Rainey Gets the 5 Out Save by Nats Chat

46 min listen

Streak ends: Harden's heroics can't rescue Rockets from early hole: In a possible NBA Finals preview, the Rockets' valiant comeback effort fell just short Friday night in a 108-105 loss in Toronto. MVP frontrunner James Harden scored 40 points on a ridiculous 15-of-22 shooting, but Kyle Lowry nearly matched him with 30 points on 10-of-14 FG and 7-of-9 from behind the arc. The loss snapped Houston's NBA-best winning streak at 17 games, as the Rockets fell to 51-14 on the season. Our postgame show breaks down the Harden-Lowry battle and all of the other the key storylines, including strength by Clint Capela (13/13) against Jonas Valanciunas, an underwhelming night from Chris Paul (13 points, 5-of-13 FG), and the sluggish early defense that allowed Toronto to race out to a 19-point lead. The third and final segment of the show explores the convergent paths of Houston and Toronto, including why many of the reasons the 2017-18 Rockets deserve the benefit of the doubt for prior playoff short by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

38 min listen

#RoadRyno returns as Rockets extend winning streak to nine: Ryan Anderson (21 points) sparked the Rockets with six three-pointers off the bench as Houston (43-13) rallied from an early 13-point road deficit to defeat Minnesota and extend its run to nine consecutive wins overall and 13 in 14 games since the return of MVP frontrunner James Harden. Our postgame show explores Anderson's resurgence in his new bench role and all the other storylines from Tuesday night in Minnesota (35-25), including the maturity shown in recovering from the early deficit and the role of Harden (34 points, 12 assists) in closing it out late with 14 points in the final six minutes. We also discuss where things stand with the Joe Johnson signing as of late Tuesday and the possible release of either Tarik Black, Troy Williams, or Chinanu Onuaku to make room on the active roster. #Rockets #NBA #Wolves Reminder: This episode is sponsored by Draft. Go to Draft.com or download the Draft app and use the promo code L by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

32 min listen

Gordon leads gritty effort as Rockets secure 15th straight: The Rockets (49-13) won their 15th consecutive game with a stirring comeback Saturday night vs. Boston (44-20), led by 29 points off the bench from Eric Gordon, 17 rebounds from Clint Capela, and a 16-7 closing kick in the final three minutes. Our postgame recap examines all the highlights, including the importance of Gordon stepping up amid relatively inefficient nights from James Harden (26 points, 33% FG) and Chris Paul (15 points, -7 in 35 minutes) and the role of grit and desire shown by the likes of Trevor Ariza (21 points, +13, 8-of-18 FG) and P.J. Tucker (9 points, +8, 3-of-6 on three-pointers). Tune in: #Rockets #NBA #Celtics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

35 min listen

Locked on Rockets — Jan. 11 — Late adjustments, Harden's brilliance help withstand Charlotte's rally, Gordon's absence: It didn't come easy for the Rockets (31-9) on Tuesday night. But when it mattered, they got the job done. After seeing a 23-point lead evaporate, Houston outscored Charlotte 11-3 over the final two-plus minutes to extend the current win streak to nine ... by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

22 min listen

Harden's historic brilliance overcomes wave of injuries: James Harden led the Rockets (36-13) with a franchise-record setting 60 points (19-of-30 FG) as Houston won for the sixth time in seven games since his return with a 114-107 home victory on Tuesday night vs. Orlando. Harden also had 11 assists, 10 rebounds, and four steals, making him the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double. As it turned out, Houston needed all of Harden's exploits to survive a sudden wave of injuries to key rotation cogs. Trevor Ariza (strained left hamstring) missed the first game of his expected multi-game absence, while Chris Paul (right groin soreness) sat out with what the Rockets believe is a brief precautionary measure. Eric Gordon exited early after just 10 minutes with lower back stiffness. Between those three players, the Rockets missed a combined 51 points per game in scoring production, along with double-figure averages in rebounds and assists. Our postgame show includes an by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

34 min listen

Rockets silence Jazz to avert feared schedule loss: Mike D'Antoni and James Harden's team, defensive? You bet. On night two of a road back-to-back at high altitude, the shorthanded Rockets (46-13) held the previously red-hot Jazz to just 85 points and extended their winning streak to 13. Here’s a recap of how they did it, with special praise for defensive ace Luc Mbah a Moute (17 points, 7-of-7 FG, including 15 in the fourth quarter), a crucial defensive adjustment by D'Antoni, and an under-the-radar efficient night from Harden (26 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 8-of-13 FG). The show also explores the illness-related absences of Clint Capela and Eric Gordon, as well as minor injuries to Ryan Anderson (hip flexor) and Brandan Wright (knee). The absence of those four players left Houston with only nine active players in Utah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

24 min listen

Harden sets milestone as Rockets burn nets in Brooklyn: Led by 36 points from James Harden, the Rockets survived a valiant effort from the host Nets and blew open Tuesday's game late in a 123-113 win at Brooklyn. Now 39-13, the Rockets are off to their best start through 52 games in franchise history and have won nine of their past 10 games since Harden's return from a hamstring injury. Our postgame show breaks down all the key storylines, headlined by remarkably efficient efforts from Harden (11-of-23 FG) and Chris Paul (25 points, 8 rebounds, 9-of-15 FG) on a night when the Rockets' lethargic defense needed it most. Harden also passed the 15,000-point milestone for his NBA career in the victory. We also explore the right ankle sprain suffered by Ryan Anderson and the roles of Gerald Green (18 points, 6-of-8 FG in 18 minutes) and Eric Gordon (13 points, 5-of-9 FG in 28 minutes returning from a back injury) off the bench in filling those minutes. #Rockets #NBA #Nets Learn more about by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

30 min listen

Harden, CP3 lead historic run in Game 4 rout at Minnesota: James Harden and Chris Paul were sensational with a combined 61 points (21-of-43 FG), leading the Rockets on an incredible 71-30 run in the middle of a 119-100 beatdown of Minnesota in Game 4 at Target Center. Houston now leads the Round 1 series at three games to one, with an opportunity to clinch it in Wednesday's Game 5 at Toyota Center. The Rockets trailed by seven points in the middle of the second quarter, but went on to score 50 points in the third quarter as part of the extended run to take command of the series. In addition to the scoring, Harden and Paul combined for 10 rebounds, nine assists, nine steals, and only two turnovers. Our postgame show breaks it all down, including the importance of Harden turning it around after an 0-for-7 start in the first quarter; the confidence the Rockets likely gained from this type of performance facing adversity on the road; and how Eric Gordon (18 points, 6-of-14 FG) and Clint Ca by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

28 min listen

On Harden's return, the Ariza/Green suspensions, and DeAndre Jordan talk: Star guard and MVP frontrunner James Harden plans to return to the lineup on Thursday night vs. Minnesota (29-17), as the Rockets (30-12) seek to put even more separation between themselves and the rest of the Western Conference pack in the race for the No. 2 seed. It's a miraculous recovery just 18 days after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain, but is it too soon? In Wednesday's episode, Ben explains why he's trusting the Houston medical staff on this diagnosis and expecting Harden to return to his usual production levels (32.3 points, 9.1 assists per game) relatively quickly. Other topics on Wednesday's show include reaction to the news of two-game suspensions for Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green following Monday's postgame incident in Los Angeles, along with a rundown on the latest round of rumors connecting Clipper big man DeAndre Jordan to the Rockets. #Rockets #NBA #Clippers Learn more about your ad choices. by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

44 min listen

Matt Bullard on a record-setting win, Capela's growth, and more: James Harden (27/8/6) led the way in scoring, while Clint Capela (18/16 and 6 blocks) dominated on the interior vs. Anthony Davis as the Rockets (59-14) set a new franchise record for wins in a season with Saturday night's 114-91 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. With the win, the Rockets have won eight consecutive games and 25 of their past 26 overall. They remain effectively five games up on Golden State (54-18) and Toronto (54-19) in the race for the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs. In Sunday's show, TV analyst Matt Bullard joins our Ben DuBose to break down Saturday's game and a range of other topics, including the growth shown by Capela against the NBA's best big men; why players from the 1993-94 championship squad are happy to see the 2017-18 Rockets break their record; and the current state of Mike D'Antoni's end-of-bench options, including the likes of Ryan by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

33 min listen

Rockets rout Lakers behind Harden, strong second unit: The Rockets (18-4) extended their streak to 13 wins in 14 games with a dominating 118-95 victory on Sunday night in Los Angeles. James Harden (36 points, 9 assists) led the way, while Chris Paul (21 points, 6 assists) and Eric Gordon (22 points, +37 in plus/minus) sparked a dominating second unit. Our Ben DuBose breaks down all the key storylines, including the implications of a new report outlining Paul's continued tight relationship with Clipper big man DeAndre Jordan. #Rockets #NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

35 min listen

Game 95: Soto Talk Dominates the All Star Break by Nats Chat

42 min listen

RECAP: Harden's historic 42 not enough as Wolves pound paint: MVP James Harden (42) is now tied for the second-longest streak in NBA history of 30+ point games at 31, but familiar follies of defense and rebounding (-10) without Clint Capela reared their ugly heads again in Minnesota as the Rockets (33-24) lost their last game before the All-Star break. Wednesday's show explores those items and much more, including how Jeff Teague (27/12, 69% shooting) outplayed both Chris Paul and Eric Gordon (combined 29 points, 35% shooting). Also, with Houston entering an 8-day break, Ben explains why Houston's sluggish start to the season (11-14) in the first two months continues to be the biggest factor holding the team back from its goals. #Rockets #NBA #Wolves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

35 min listen

Rockets' defense, Ryan Anderson offer extra boost in Utah: The Rockets (19-4) have won 8 consecutive games and 14 of 15 after Thursday night's 112-101 victory in Utah. Our Ben DuBose breaks it all down, including how James Harden (29 points) and Chris Paul (18 points, 13 assists) found even more help than usual from the likes of Ryan Anderson (23 points, 9-of-11 FG) and superb team defense. #Rockets #NBA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

33 min listen

4 of 6: Paul, Gordon outduel Lillard, McCollum as Houston extends Harden-less run: Chris Paul and Eric Gordon combined for 67 points Wednesday and outgunned one of the NBA's best backcourts in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum (53 points combined), leading Houston to a 121-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers (22-19) at Toyota Center. It's the fourth win in six games for the Rockets (29-11), five of which have been played without James Harden. Wednesday's triumph also represents the first win by Houston against an opponent with a winning record since Harden's departure with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Oour Locked on Rockets recap explores the exploits of the veteran guards and much more — including under-the-radar contributions from Ryan Anderson and P.J. Tucker and the absurdity of the postgame controversy over Paul's final layup in the closing seconds. #Rockets #NBA #Blazers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

36 min listen

Ryan Anderson's defensive limitations on display as early deficit proves too much: Led by 38 points and 8 assists from Chris Paul, the Rockets (34-13) put up a valiant comeback after going down 21 midway through the second half at New Orleans (27-21). But ultimately, the early deficit proved a bit too large to overcome as Houston's rally came up just short in a 115-113 loss on Friday night. In our postgame recap, we explore the defensive struggles that put Houston in such a big hole, starting with the role of Ryan Anderson (0 points in 14 minutes, -20 in plus/minus) and why his continued slump over the past 24 games may be putting his long-term role into question. Other topics include encouraging signs from Paul and Eric Gordon (27 points, 10-of-15 shooting) in the comeback, as well as thoughts on the season-ending Achilles injury to the Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins (15 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) and its potential implications for Houston's playoff matchups down the road. Learn mor by Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

45 min listen

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With top record secure, Spurs ground Rockets as Paul sits out

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