NBA games of the week: Rockets can’t lose

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 25: James Harden
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 25: James Harden /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 16: Khris Middleton
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 16: Khris Middleton /

Wednesday, Mar. 7: Houston at Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. ET

Before this current 15-game win streak, Houston had a 14-gamer over the course of a month beginning in mid-November. The Bucks were part of that.

Jason Kidd was still the coach and the Bucks’ blitzing style of defense at the time frustrated the Rockets — they finished with 15 turnovers, Harden had a delay of game warning and Chris Paul had a technical, which isn’t so ridiculous, but still. It was one of those games that helped create the Rockets’ strong mentality.

But much has changed since mid-December. Kidd was fired and over the last 15 games, the Bucks have the fifth-best defensive rating. Their length and athleticism is a formula that could continue to frustrate Houston. But the Rockets have changed a ton since Decemember, too. They’ve settled into their roles of being the best chance the NBA has against the Warriors. Their mental fortitude against the Celtics, and the patience that their run would come, vaulted them past Boston, even if I have no idea how Kyrie Irving missed that layup.