The first loss is usually the most stinging for any sports team.
And if that holds true for the Houston Rockets (4-4), then that should provide them more than enough motivation to come in to the Rose Garden in Portland, Oreg., tonight at 10 p.m. looking for revenge as they take on the 3-5 Portland Trail Blazers.
The Rockets opened the season on a 2-0 winning streak thanks to the superstar-like play of new star James Harden, who joined Jeremy Lin in Houston after being traded from Oklahoma City before the start of the season.
But that momentum was cut short after a 95-85 overtime loss that Portland dealt them on Nov. 3., after which Houston lost three straight as the team struggled defensively and was clearly still getting used to each other.
If there was ever a time to catch the Blazers, it would be now. Houston is coming off a 100-95 win over the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday while Portland only recently ended a four game losing streak with a 103-86 win Tuesday against the Clippers.
But getting a win against Portland won't come easy. The Blazers are sporting three league leaders in three-point field goals made with Nicolas Batum (22), rookie sensation Damian Lillard (20) and Wesley Matthews (18).
And while the Rockets have looked impressive at points on offense, turnovers and sloppy defense have been the culprits responsible in their four losses.
"We can't keep getting these double-digit leads in the first half and give them away," forward Chandler Parsons told NBA.com. "We've got to come out there in the third quarter with energy and not allow that."
James Harden, who was contained to 24 points in that loss after scoring a combined 82 points in his first two games, will no doubt be looking to get a little redemption against the Blazers defense, but acknowledges that he will have to make adjustments.
"I have to be better defensively," Harden told the Houston Chronicle this week. "We had opportunities to win here against Portland, and now we have another great opportunity. There are a couple of things I've learned defensively, and we could be better off if we can incorporate those."
For more game time information on tonight's game, check out NBA.com for details.
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