On Wednesday in Cleveland, the Rockets (10-3, 1-1) reverted to the "skyline lineup" they utilized for the first two contests of the season in an attempt to match the Cavaliers' towering frontcourt featuring forward Evan Mobley, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and center Jarrett Allen.

Tonight’s game is an elimination game for the NBA Cup. Both the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets are 1-1, so the loser will be 1-2 and need a lot of help. Denver might have a path forward since their last opponent is an injury-ravaged San Antonio Spurs in Colorado.

Denver was on a nasty seven-game winning streak before the Chicago Bulls on the second night of a back-to-back snapped it. The Nuggets are now 8-1 in the last nine games and rank top three overall in offensive and defensive efficiency on the year.

Houston has had plenty of stars come through the organization, many of whom The Athletic's readers believe are some of the best in recent history.

The Houston Rockets lead the NBA in offensive rating, scoring 123.4 points per 100 possessions, and are starting to look like a threat in the West.

Few college basketball players have made as much of an impression in the early season as Houston freshman Kingston Flemings, and NBA scouts are noticing.

Houston Rockets, surprisingly strong early, are exploring a blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving to fill the void left by Fred VanVleet's season-ending

Houston freshman Kingston Flemings is capturing the attention of NBA scouts after a dominant start to the season and a loud statement against Auburn.

Butler took the Cyclones' volleyball team to breakfast at The Honey Hole next to the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, then drove an hour north to visit his old high school in Tomball. Jones said she suspects Butler then played dominos with a collection of friends, then ventured to the Fertitta Center to watch Iowa State's road victory.

After a string of disappointing games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets wing Tari Eason turned it on, in a major way. Eason