They say “It’s not who you play; it’s when you play them.” Well, this isn’t when you want to play the Golden State Warriors. Much like how Steph Curry returned from an absence of over two months last season just to play the Rockets, it seems like it’s never a good time to see the San Francisco squad.
In case you haven’t been following the NBA at large, the Warriors dropped their first three games. Since then, they’ve reeled off eight straight wins, including wins over the Nuggets in Denver (yes, Nikola
Jokic played), the Timberwolves in Minnesota (no, Anthony Edwards did not), and at home against the Los Angeles Lakers (yes, all the white guys played). They’ve also handily beaten the Clippers, Heat, and Pelicans.
The Warriors basically found out that Kristaps Porzingis was done with basketball around the same time they realized that Yaxel Lendeborg might finally fulfill the “two timelines” prophecy. Lendeborg has emerged as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate (and you could easily argue he should be leading the race at the moment) and has made plenty of people forget that the Warriors are still missing Jimmy Butler. If Yaxel continues on this trajectory, the Warriors suddenly become quite terrifying at the deadline armed with Butler and Porzingis as trade chips.
Look, the Warriors are going to play extra well against the Rockets. They always do. There is something in their franchise’s DNA that tells them that no matter what, they will play their best basketball against Houston. But the Warriors are playing well right now no matter what, and with the game being on national television, it’s another chance for Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the new kid on the block to torment my favorite basketball squad. Do I have PTSD? You’re damn right I do. Honestly, I have no idea why Houston is favored in this one.
The Warriors are starting a five-game road trip against the Southwest Division. If Houston doesn’t get them tonight, they will have to get through the streaking Spurs on Friday, a New Orleans team that exists, and then a Dallas-Memphis back-to-back next week. Three of those games are on television (the ones against the Texas teams), so expect Steve Kerr to rest his guys against New Orleans and Memphis. Houston has an extended road trip of their own starting next week. We’re officially getting into the grind.
Tip-off
8:30pm CT
How To Watch
Space City Home Network and ESPN
Injury Report
Rockets
Clint Capela: OUT
Steven Adams: OUT
Warriors
Gary Payton II: OUT
Will Richard: GTD
Brandon Williams: OUT
Moses Moody: OUT
The Line (as of this post)
HOU -5.5
Check here for updates
Schedule Advantage Counter
Rockets: 2
Opponents: 2
Looking ahead because we can
Friday night at home against the Utah Jazz
