The OKC Thunder continues their mini road trip playing game two of 82 in Houston versus the Rockets. They opened the season with a loss to the Utah Jazz who registered the best record in the association last season.
While the team lost the game there were ample positive takeaways especially from the rookies on the squad.
Head coach, Mark Daigneault has repeatedly stated every day is about growth so this second game will be a test of that objective. Unlike the first match, this opponent is closer in talent to the Thunder roster.
OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets preview – The rookies take aim!
Game two features a club that is in a similar position as the Thunder — rebuilding their roster with a long-term view of success. The Houston Rockets may not have won the draft lottery to garner the top draft pick but they did get the second pick and with it chose Jalen Green.
With James Harden exiting the Rockets last season it was perhaps apropos the player Houston earmarked in this draft was another shooting guard sniper — Jalen Green.
The Rockets also opened their season on Wednesday losing to my Western dark horse the Minnesota Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns and his teammates jumped on Houston from the tip building a 72-45 lead by the half and cruised to an easy 124-106 victory.
The Thunder brought defensive intensity capably quelling the Jazz 3-point snipers but wasn’t able to hold off the much deeper Utah club eventually succumbing 86 to 107.