NBA Fantasy Tiers: Houston Rockets players

Houston Rockets, 6-3, 2nd in Southwest Division

Nov 14-Nov 20 games: @ Los Angeles Clippers, @ Los Angeles Lakers, @ Golden State Warriors

Per game stats 2023: 111.0 PPG, 43.3 REB, 25.3 AST, 12.2 TO, 47.1% FG, 33.7% 3PT

The Houston Rockets are a bit of a surprise to start the 2023 NBA season, sitting at 6-3 and second in the competitive Southwest Division. Since November 1, the Rockets are riding a six game winning streak, but they are all home victories. This week, the Rockets go on the road to test their mettle against the best that California has to offer: the Clippers, Lakers, and Warriors. It’s gut check time -- is Houston ready?

Houston does not have a single player averaging a double-double. They are winning by playing team basketball and limiting turnovers and fouls. Players are taking turns scoring, too: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet have all taken turns as leading scorer this season, and there hasn’t been much drop off in shooting percentage when the subs are on the floor.

That said, who do the Rockets face this week and what’s the opportunity for these players to step-up and help you win your NBA Fantasy Tiers on Splashsports? Let’s get into it with a look at each of the Rockets’ matchups this week.

@ Los Angeles Clippers, November 17th

On November 17, the Rockets will pay a visit to the 3-6 Los Angeles Clippers, but don’t let the record fool you; this is a stacked team featuring Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. While the group is still jelling after the addition of Harden, this is a starting unit with the potential to go-off at home, where the team is 3-1. All of the Rockets starters will face challenging individual matchups in this game against veteran players. Can the Rockets pull together at the beginning of a three game road trip to continue their winning ways? Turnovers and FG% loom large in this one, with a slight edge to Houston. 

@ Los Angeles Lakers, November 19th

On November 19, the Rockets will play the 5-5 Los Angeles Lakers, a team underperforming its preseason billing. Anthony Davis is the only Lakers player averaging a double-double (Lebron is a board and a half per game short), and 3PT shooting is poor (just over 30% for the team). That said, the Lakers average an identical amount of points per game as the Rockets (111.0), though their bench has less of the production. The Rockets beat the Lakers in Houston once already. The Lakers have yet to lose at home this season. The Rockets have yet to win on the road. Something has to give. It’s all about Lebron establishing dominance for the Lakers; the Rockets will need to play their efficient brand of ball to snuff out King James and the Lakers again in LA.  

@ Golden State Warriors, November 20th

Finally, on November 20, the Golden State Warriors will host the Rockets on the third and final leg of Houston’s California road trip. In their only other contest this year, the Warriors won 106-95. In that game, the difference was (as usual) Steph Curry, who put up 24 points, 7 REB and 6 AST on the night. Behind Curry, Klay Thompson also provides a consistent scoring threat from range. The Warriors average three more points per game than the Rockets (114 to 111), but turn the ball over a few times more a game and can find themselves in foul trouble at crunch time. Starter for starter, the Rockets are better than the Warriors, but they need to play like it on November 20 for me to really get on the Houston bandwagon.

The Verdict

With three games over a four day window, the Rockets have a short week of work on the road. Business gets started on November 17 when the Rockets visit a struggling but dangerous Clippers team. On November 19, it’s on to LA and the Lakers; a prime matchup that the Rockets can win. Finally, on November 20, the Rockets will visit Golden State and try to make-up for a poor performance vs. the Warriors at home in Houston earlier this season. On the balance, this will be a trying week for Houston, and will provide a good indication as to the Rockets’ prospects through the first half of the 2023 NBA season.