4 Teams that have had the Rockets number (and when they can get revenge)

Revenge is a dish that's best served cold. Sure. When you're an NBA team like the Houston Rockets, you'll serve up revenge however you can prepare it.

No team wants to feel that another team has its number. The more games you lose in a row to the same team, the more pressing that need for revenge will become.

The Rockets are feeling the heat. They've got some scores to settle. Here are 4 teams that have had the Rockets' number, and when they can get their (sweet, sweet) revenge.

Indiana Pacers

The first team the Rockets will seek revenge on is the team they need it against the most. The Indiana Pacers have won a staggering 9 games in a row against the Rockets. Houston will look to exact revenge at home on Wednesday, November 20th.

This is a result of two divergent organizational philosophies. The last few years before 2023-24 weren't especially kind to the Pacers, but this team was never "tanking". The small-market Pacers never tank. They'd prefer to stay on the mediocrity treadmill until they find their way off of it organically.

So, even when they aren't great, they're assured to better than a Rockets team that's losing intentionally. That said, the Rockets' tanking days are done. Conveniently enough, the Pacers are stronger than they've been in some time.

Revenge may be necessary here, but it will take work.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves haven't been as sharp of a thorn in the Rockets' side. They've only nabbed three in a row against them. The Rockets will try to avoid making it 4 on Tuesday, November 26th in Minnesota.

Once again, it won't be easy. The Timberwolves were Western Conference Finalists in 2024-25. This is a formidable squad. It's fair to wonder whether the surplus size in their frontcourt is problematic for a team that wants to run their offense through an interior scorer like Alperen Sengun.

Could Houston lean harder into lineups with Jabari Smith Jr. at the 5? Drawing Rudy Gobert out of the paint is typically a recipe for success. That said, Ime Udoka could have an entirely different strategy. Here's hoping that whatever he has drawn up results in a win.

Philadelphia 76ers

A pair of road games back-to-back, and with vengeance on the line in each. Like the Wolves, the Sixers have hung three in a row on the Rockets. They play them on November 27th in the City of Brotherly Love.

This isn't last year's Sixers team. Tobias Harris is out. Paul George is in. That should make them a stronger team. It's starting to feel like - call us crazy - the NBA is competitive.

If the Rockets have an advantage over the Sixers, it's depth. The Sixers have an MVP candidate in Joel Embiid and two co-stars in George and Tyrese Maxey. To beat them, the Rockets need to win any minute where one (or if they're lucky, zero) of them are on the floor.

Miami Heat

It feels like Houston has struggled in the Eastern Conference. The Heat have defeated them in 8 straight contests.

On December 29th, the Rockets host them. Unlike the other teams on this list, the Rockets could be favorites in this one. Miami won 46 games in a substantially weaker Eastern Conference in 2023-24. Jimmy Butler is aging, and the Rockets are on the upswing.

That's not to say this will be easy. The Heat is a team that has developed a reputation for grittiness. They'll try to make it 9 in a row...

Here's hoping the Rockets can cool them down.