Houston Rockets News: December 29, 2017

Houston Rockets News

James Harden of Houston Rockets critical of late-game calls, two-referee crew in Boston Celtics game
An injury to referee Mark Lindsay left Thursday's Rockets-Celtics game one official short, drawing the ire of James Harden, who said having only two refs "changes the dynamic of the game."

James Harden meltdown help secure stunning Boston win
For most of the night, the story of Thursday's matchup between the Celtics and Houston Rockets looked like another chapter in the continued decline of Boston's season.

NBA -- Celtics overcome 26-point deficit to beat slumping Rockets
The Boston Celtics battled with the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back, shutting down James Harden when it mattered most.

The Celtics-Rockets game had just two refs, a 26-point comeback and one unhappy James Harden - The Washington Post
He was whistled for two offensive fouls in the last 10 seconds.

Preview: Rockets at Wizards - Houston Chronicle
With guard Chris Paul expected to return (strained groin) either Friday or Sunday, the Rockets had won 14 of his past 15 games, making 40.1 percent of their 3s in those games, after going 11-4 in the season's first 15 games, making 34 percent of their 3-pointers.

Rockets Sign Free Agent Gerald Green | Houston Rockets
HOUSTON – Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Gerald Green. Green will wear #14 for the Rockets. Green (6-7, 205) was originally the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft out of Gulf Shores Academy in Houston. In 10 NBA seasons, he has appeared in 544 games with 116 starts while averaging 9.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. Green played 47 games for Boston last season and scored in double-figures four times during the Celtics run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

James Harden is upset there were only two officials for Celtics-Rockets, and he’s right to be - SBNation.com
There were just two referees officiating the game, and we’re all wondering why.

Houston Rockets-Boston Celtics game short a referee after official hurts back
Referee Mark Lindsay hurt his back during pregame warm-ups Thursday, leaving only referees Tony Brothers and Gediminas Petraitis to call the Rockets-Celtics game in Boston.

NBA News

Celtics vs. Rockets: How the strangest comeback in the NBA this season happened - SBNation.com
How do you explain the Celtics’ 26-point rally to beat the Rockets? Good question. Here’s our attempt.
Celtics vs. Rockets: Celtics complete wild 26-point comeback win - SBNation.com
This was wild!
[chokes on coffee] The Rockets lost ... how?! - SBNation.com
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Celtics vs. Rockets: Marcus Smart just flopped the Celtics into a massive comeback win - SBNation.com
This was legitimately incredible.
Jimmy Butler’s clutch numbers have been unbelievable in December - SBNation.com
Butler is making a serious campaign for Player of the Month after ending 2017 on a high note.

Houston & Collegiate Sports News

The Argument For Retaining Bill O’Brien - Battle Red Blog
Here’s why the Houston Texans need to keep their head coach.

Texas defense key in Texas Bowl victory over Missouri - Burnt Orange Nation

Todd Orlando’s group jumped on the Tigers early and gave them little room to breathe.

10 Takeaways from TCU’s comeback Alamo Bowl win over Stanford - Frogs O' War

TCU mounted another second-half comeback to beat a PAC-12 team in the Alamo Bowl.

The Air Raid Podcast #117: Basketball Edition - Baylor - Viva The Matadors

Looking ahead to games against Baylor and Kansas

THE TAILGATE: A Graphical Preview of Texas A&M vs Wake Forest - Good Bull Hunting

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind. One more time in 2017 its time for THE TAILGATE.

Playin’ Nice: One Foot Down - And The Valley Shook

Getting deeper into the Citrus Bowl match-up with One Foot Down’s Patrick Sullivan.

Texas- 33, Missouri- 16 - Barking Carnival

Texas finishes with a winning season and defeats a favored Missouri soundly behind great defense and special teams despite missing nearly a half dozen starters.

Great wrap to the season and a fun...

Former Ole Miss safety Deontay Anderson transfers to Houston - Underdog Dynasty

Another four star recruit joins the Cougars defense.

Eric Bird Brings Versatility from RGVFC to Houston - Dynamo Theory

New Dynamo signing Eric Bird adds a multi-talented midfielder to the roster.