Houston Rockets: 12 games you can’t miss in the 2019-20 season

Best Early Season Matchups

Thursday October 24th: Houston vs. Milwaukee (Turner Network).

Houston will host the reigning MVP to kick off their 2019-20 season. Many Rockets fans will agree last year’s MVP was James Harden’s award to win, and the players, coaches and staff will probably agree. Expect Harden to come out all guns blazing against last year’s best regular season team as he tries to prove the MVP voters made the wrong decision.

Monday October 28th: Houston vs. Oklahoma City. 

Russell Westbrook faces his old squad for the first time ever as Chris Paul returns to Houston. The real emotion for Westbrook will be in his return to OKC later in the season, the spotlight this time around will be on Paul, who will deservedly get a video tribute and a standing ovation from Rockets fans. Paul’s sensational play for two seasons with the Rockets shouldn’t be overshadowed by talk of the trade, his contract, and his injuries; he earned the respect of Houston fans and will be celebrated as such.

Wednesday November 6th: Houston vs. Golden State (ESPN). 

Houston’s first game of the season against their bitterest rival will be at Toyota Center in front of a rowdy home crowd. The Warriors will come to town as a new look squad, but that won’t diminish Houston’s desire to win one bit. These rivals have a habit of playing their best basketball against each other, so don’t stray far from a TV for this one.

Wednesday November 13th: Houston vs. LA Clippers (ESPN).

Houston fans get their first look at the best LA Clippers team ever assembled. Russell Westbrook and Paul George go head to head for the first time since their split. Kawhi Leonard fresh off a championship and Finals MVP guarding James Harden fresh off averaging 36.1 points per game. Doc Rivers vs. Austin Rivers. Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams still playing with major chips on their shoulders after being traded for Chris Paul two years ago. The Toyota Center may not have secret tunnels but still, DO NOT MISS THIS GAME.

Thursday December 5th: Houston @ Toronto (NBA TV). 

Kawhi Leonard may have bolted from the Raptors over the summer, but Toronto is still the reigning champions and the motivation to win in front of a national TV audience will be higher than an average game. Harden and Westbrook will be extra eager to get one over the reigning champs, who will be headlined by Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, and an extremely loud fan base.

Next: Best Mid-Season Matchups