Rockets vs. Trail Blazers - game thread

Things don’t get any better for the Rockets tonight against the Trail Blazers. Nothing more is wrong with them; they just have to keep playing basketball.

I miss those memes.

But, for real, they’re still missing James Harden and James Ennis III, among others, against a really good Portland team. On the other hand, the Trail Blazers are on the second night of a back-to-back after playing the Pacers last night IN Indiana. The Rockets haven’t played since Friday in Houston.

This is one of those games that don’t say much about the Rockets if they lose, but it says a whole lot about them if they win. Portland is a good, healthy team, and beating them while down a few starters is a great feeling to have. Not only that, but Houston then has a favorable two-game stretch against the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. Win tonight, and you can almost guarantee going at least 3-1 this four-game week.

What can the Rockets do to win tonight’s game?