Rockets vs. Hornets game thread: Bringing 2014 to a close

The Rockets are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the year. They're playing the dreadful Charlotte Hornets who will be without Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson, two of their three best players. If the Rockets don't win this, the problems with fit might start to seem more serious.

The rotation should work itself out eventually. But the Rockets simply can't afford for it to take that long because of the brutality that is the Western Conference. A month of "figuring it out" could mean a No. 7 seed and road Game 7s in the playoffs. Not good.

Here's hoping the Rockets take care of business and help us ring in the New Year right.