Warriors vs. Rockets Preview: Measuring Progression Against the Champs

The Houston Rockets have shown major progression over the last several weeks, but will it be enough to keep the Warriors' road losing streak going?

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets (18-53) will end their six-game homestand Monday night against the Golden State Warriors (36-36) inside the Toyota Center.  

With the exception of a 14-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on March 1, the previous three weeks have been filled with progression when analyzing the Rockets' development. 

The Rockets have won five of their last nine games. And before a 117-107 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night, Houston had recorded their longest winning streak of the season at three. 

A home match against the Warriors will be a measuring stick to test how far the Rockets have come with their growth. The last time the two franchises met, Houston sustained a 116-101 loss to Golden State.

"We are moving in the right direction," coach Stephen Silas said. "Guys have been playing hard and figuring out what is necessary to win games. Guys are finding out they cannot win it by themselves. When you find success doing something, you want to make sure you keep doing it."

Rockets vs. Warriors Broadcast Information:

• Date: Monday, March 20
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
• Radio: 790 AM
• Live Stream: League Pass

Houston Rockets Injury Report:

• Jae'Sean Tate (right ankle management) OUT

Golden State Warriors Injury Report:

• Kevon Looney (low back soreness) OUT
• Andre Iguodala (left wrist fracture) OUT
• Gary Payton II (right adductor soreness) OUT
• Ryan Rollins (right foot surgery) OUT
• Andrew Wiggins (personal reasons) OUT

Can the Rockets keep the Warriors' road losing streak going?

The Warriors have been atrocious on the road. They are coming to Houston riding an 11-game road losing streak and haven't won a contest away from Chase Center since Jan. 30. A loss against the Rockets would tie the Warriors with the 1998-99 Chicago Bulls for the longest road losing streak by a defending champion in league history.

Can Jalen Green show more consistency following his 40-point performance:

Jalen Green put on a show in the Rockets' loss to the Pelicans Sunday night. He scored 40 points (11-22 FG, 4-9 3PT, 14-14 FT), which marked his fifth career 40-plus performance.

Green has shown the potential to become one of the top scorers in the league, but he must find consistency within his play. In the three games following a 40-point performance, Green is averaging 13.3 points on 27.0 percent shooting.

Trying to contain the splash brothers:

The Rockets have had their fair share of players who torched them for 40 or more points this season. But no player has done more damage to Houston than Klay Thompson.

Thompson has appeared in two of the three contests the Rockets have played against Golden State. He is averaging 41.5 points on 62.0 percent shooting, 73.7 percent from behind the arc.

He erupted for 41 points the last time the Warriors visited the Toyota Center. Stephen Curry added 33 points to help Golden State come away with a seven-point victory. The two-time MVP is currently averaging 31.5 points shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from deep in the two games he has played against Houston.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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