Inside The Rockets

Rockets Can't Waste Opportunity vs. Wizards

The Houston Rockets are in position for a big win against the Washington Wizards.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 11, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (8) and Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) fight for a rebound in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Nov 11, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (8) and Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) fight for a rebound in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are about to embark on one of the tougher stretches of their schedule for the rest of January.

The team plays nine of its next 12 games on the road, beginning with tonight's game against the league-worst Washington Wizards, who have a 6-27 record to start the season.

However, winning on the road in the NBA isn't easy no matter who is on the other sideline. That being said, the Rockets cannot afford to get cute when playing the Wizards.

Houston has done a decent job of not playing down to its competition for the most part this season, though losses against teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers come to mind.

The Rockets are far from invincible, and they are learning that through each game. The team has to still learn how to play without Jabari Smith Jr., and that will be a challenge to navigate. However, playing a team like the Wizards could be a good opportunity for the Rockets to learn more about themselves and make mistakes, because they can afford to make a few.

However, they still can't make too many because the Wizards are starving for wins because they don't have a whole lot of those this season.

Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT inside Capital One Arena.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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