Gameday: Raptors @ Rockets, Feb. 10

This run of play has been so, so fun. Seven wins in a row, Pascal Siakam took the EC’s player of the week award and seems hungry for the player of the month accolade. The team as a whole is finding a significant groove, where different players are stepping into more important roles based on necessity, and miraculously, no one is failing. The front end of the win streak was brutal, both in strength of schedule and lack of days off. Now, the Raptors have to go into Houston and lock down the second half of this back to back game.

Luckily, the Rockets represent one of the easiest teams you can play in the NBA at any given time, so the Raptors have a really good shot to keep this streak going. And speaking of another streak, Siakam has scored 43 points on 17-20 shooting (what in the hell???) over his last 3 first quarters, so I am waiting with baited breath to see if he’s going to promptly walk over to the Rockets and blow up their game plan within minutes, like he’s done to virtually every team for a month now.

If you’re trying to tease enjoyment out of any of the Rockets players I think there’s quite a few options as far as unique offensive stylings go. Kevin Porter Jr. is a water dancer, and one of the most mesmerizing dribblers/movers in the NBA. He hasn’t been able to transfer this skill into high value possessions often enough, but it’s beautiful basketball. Jalen Green and Christian Wood both have the potential to sky for gravity defying dunks (Green moreso). Alperen Sengun was drawing Jokic comparisons earlier on in the year (which were premature, of course) and despite hitting a rookie wall he’s still more than capable of putting on a footwork clinic in the post. He’s dead meat on the other end, though. And finally, Jae’Sean Tate is a classic defensive enforcer. He will do anything to provide the Rockets with a good defensive outcome, and he’s kind of a blast to watch work on that end.

Will we get a crossmatch of Green on Barnes or vice versa to fuel the rookie vs. rookie stuff? Who knows, but it could be fun.

More than anything though, I’m just hoping the Raptors can handle the Rockets with as little worry as they did the Thunder. Maybe toss in some highlights as well. Most folks around the NBA are more excited for the trade deadline today anyway (but not this guy!).