Rockets take on their first real test of the season since brutal defeat in opener

As the Houston Rockets have climbed to a 9-3 record to start the season, their schedule, as hard as it may be to admit, has been a relatively easy one, with the team having yet to play a singular back-to-back and already having conducted four matchups against bottom-feeding teams.

Yet, through that stretch, they have still been immensely impressive offensively, and, this week, they will get their first true opportunity to put their viability as championship contenders to the test. They will face both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets, and their perception around the league as contenders, for now, could depend on the results of these two games.

Although they already had a double overtime thriller against the Oklahoma City Thunder, their loss to the best team in the NBA in their season opener can be written off. Now, it is time to execute.

The Rockets will now have to prove themselves as genuine championship contenders as their schedule ramps up

So far this season, Houston's new offensive attack, buoyed by the arrival of superstar scorer Kevin Durant, has looked immaculate. As it stands, they are first in the NBA in offensive rating, first in points per game and first in 3-point percentage.

They have both dominated opponents and shown an ability to come from behind when needed, and, as of now, this team looks to be among the upper echelon of the Western Conference.

Yet, their two matchups this week, the Cavaliers and Nuggets, rank in as 11th and 2nd in offensive rating, respectively, and both will present difficult matchups for Houston.

Cleveland is capable of matching the Rockets' size with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and, although Darius Garland will miss the game tonight, their offense is still the most potent in the league when they're able to get going. This could turn into a shootout very quickly: something that Houston has not really found themselves in since their matchup against the Thunder.

Moreover, Nikola Jokic is, unsurprisingly, dominating the NBA yet again, averaging an absurd 29.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists through his team's first 13 games. Denver is undoubtedly a contender for the title of best team in the Western Conference, and they have won seven of their last eight games.

If Houston is able to etch out victories against both of these teams, elevating themselves to an 11-3 record at the conclusion of the first month of the season, it will be hard to deny this team status as championship contenders.

Coming up, the Rockets will have an easier stretch as they will play the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz, the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans within the next month. Yet, the demands of an NBA schedule, and the necessity to win big games, will soon begin creeping up on this ascendant Houston squad.