It has been exactly 30 years since Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to their last championship. The significance of this – an entire generation in H-Town growing up not knowing what winning on the hardwood means. This long drought has left every Houstonian wondering when their beloved Rockets would finally take off to reach the ultimate destination of bringing a ring back to Clutch City.
Destiny has placed this improbable task on the shoulders of a young man drafted as the No.2 pick in 2021, Jalen Green, and so far, he has delivered right on cue. The Rockets finished the season with an impressive 52-30 record, punching their ticket to the Playoffs for the first time in 5 years, as the number two seed in the Western Conference. Much of this can be attributed to their 29-12 showing at home, the fourth-best record in the West behind only the Thunder, Lakers, and Clippers. The outcome – a clash with the 2022 NBA Champs, the Golden State Warriors.
Game 1 at Toyota Center saw Golden State land the first punch with a comfortable 95-85 victory. On Wednesday night, the Rockets came storming back to clinch Game 2 by 15 points, securing a 109-94 win. The scene for Game 3 shifted to the Bay Area, a game which saw the Warriors defeat the Rockets 104-93, behind Curry’s 36 points, taking a 2-1 series lead. Houston will now have to come up with an answer come Monday night to stay alive. The onus will once again be on Jalen Green to carry his team over the finishing line.
Green’s performances through the first 3 games of this series have been somewhat up and down. He has not been at his fluent best, and the Rockets, for having any realistic chance in the series, need him to step up big. Only this time, Dillon Brooks, with all his veteran experience, would have to back up his teammate. Both are certain to start Game 4.
As for the Dubs, Jimmy Butler, listed as questionable, is most likely to miss the cut on Monday. The Warriors, in spite of not having their star forward, would be looking to shut the door firmly on the Rockets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Jan 3, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Every Houston Rockets fan would be tuning in Monday night, hoping that the series is tied heading into Game 5. For this to happen, Houston’s No.4 will have to go off for a big night offensively. Green finished 28th in scoring during the regular season, averaging 21 PPG, and holds the key to Houston’s success in Game 4.
Ime Udoka and Steve Kerr know each other right from their playing and coaching days in San Antonio under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich. How times have changed! Both are now fighting fiercely for what the other wants – a chance to advance to the WCSF. The starting lineups to be named by these two former colleagues come Monday night may very well decide the outcome of the series.
What would be the Starting-5 for Golden State and Houston in Game 5?
Steve Kerr has already come up with two different starting combinations in the 3 games the Warriors have played this postseason. Of course, this was prompted by Butler’s nasty injury in the first quarter of Game 2. An MRI revealed that he had suffered a left pelvic contusion. The Warriors’ training staff has placed him on day-to-day, and he is sure to miss Game 4. Everyone else has been cleared. Quinten Post, who was with the Warriors G-League team at the start of this season, was surprisingly inserted into the starting 5 as the Center on Saturday night. Butler’s continued absence means Kerr would likely go for the same starting lineup as Game 3.
Point Guard
Steve Kerr
Shooting Guard
Brandin Podziemski
Small Forward
Jonathan Kuminga
Power Forward
Draymond Green
Center
Quinten Post
Udoka would want his athletic 6-4 SG to take full advantage of his amazing skill set and assert his dominance in Game 4. Houston will continue to miss the services of their big man Jock Landale and SF Jae’Sean Tate. Landale has a knee injury, while Tate isn’t close to returning to action any time soon due to ankle issues. All the others have been cleared to play by the Rockets’ training staff. This is how they would be lining up on Monday.
Point Guard
Fred VanVleet
Shooting Guard
Jalen Green
Small Forward
Amen Thompson
Power Forward
Dillon Brooks
Center
Alperen Sengun
The Rockets, though down 1-2 in the series, have the championship experience and poise of Fred VanVleet to bank on. The mercurial PG, along with Green and Brook, should be expected to rise to the occasion, leading Houston to a much-needed victory in Game 4. Dub Nation, on the other hand, would be buzzing with energy, in anticipation of a Warriors triumph, putting them just one win shy of a place in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Only time will tell!
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