With the NBA season starting tomorrow, our hometown Houston Rockets are gearing up for one of the fiercest seasons in recent memory. A wild summer full of trades and free-agent signings have shifted the basketball landscape and hopefully, in favor of Clutch City. One of the most surprising moves of the off-season is the trade that brings perennial all-star point guard, Chris Paul to the Rockets. 

Pairing Paul with James Harden is bound to bring even more excitement to the hardwood; though, one major questions remains: which game will you be attending at The Toyota Center this season?

Nov. 9 vs. Cleveland: LeBron James and Dwayne Wade have reconnected in Cleveland and make their way down to our neck of the woods for this nationally televised showdown. The Rockets will surely be leaving it all out on the floor, as it will be their first look at this stacked Cavaliers team and their only chance to face them at home this season. 

Dec. 15 vs. San Antonio: This I-10 rivalry goes back several decades and is sure to be a gritty showing. The defensive-minded Spurs are always a challenge, but will they be able to keep up with the Rockets 3-point barrage? This game could easily go to overtime, so be sure to fuel up before the game at one of the many downtown Houston restaurants, nearby the Toyota Center. 

Jan. 4 vs. Golden State: As one of the most anticipated matchups of the seasons, tickets to the game and hotel reservations in Houston will be in high demand. The explosive defending NBA champion Warriors visit Houston for what is bound to be a performance to be remembered. Both teams are three-point specialists, so defense and rebounding will be the deciding factors in this Western Conference battle.  

Mar. 3 vs. Boston: Just like our Rockets, the Celtics had a big off-season with the additions of all-stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. With some of the best shooters in the NBA on the same court, there will easily be some Sportcenter Top 10 plays from the Celtics sole visit to Houston this season. Which new duo will take home the ‘W’?

Apr. 7 vs. Oklahoma City: After Russell Westbrook’s breakout MVP performance last season, a couple of trades landed two more superstars in OKC – Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. The Thunder’s big three will visit Houston to take on our Rockets in this late-season matchup with major playoff implications. With a tight race in the Western Conference, both teams will be fighting for the higher post-season seed.

With so much to see, do and eat in downtown Houston, check out our neighborhood and nightlife pages to plan your perfect pre- and post-game activities!