News » The Rockets, who had enjoyed a little resurgence

after a dreadful Youth Austin Hooper Jersey start to the season, went into Oklahoma City on Thursday hoping to chop down the Thunder’s momentum on national TV. It, uh, did not go well.OKC beat Houston 98-80 without Russell Westbrook, and yes, the Rockets scored 80 in a 48-minute game with both James Harden and Chris Paul in the lineup. The Thunder defense is quite good, and both Houston stars shot quite poorly. But not as poorly as poor Carmelo Anthony, who went 1-11 from the floor for 2 points in 20 minutes. Even that one make didn’t actually result in Melo putting the ball in the hoop -- it was a called goaltend against Nerlens Noel on a layup.There’s something about Oklahoma City that does not sit well with Carmelo Anthony. At least now it’s two games a year there instead of 41.ScoresRockets 80, Thunder 98Celtics 116, Suns 109 (OT)Clippers 105, Blazers 116Bucks 134, Warriors 111ScheduleSelections for the weekend action ...On Friday:Hornets at Sixers, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TVPacers at Heat, 8 p.m. ET http://www.falconsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-vic-beasley-jersey , League PassCeltics at Jazz, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPNTimberwolves at Kings, 10 p.m. ET, League PassOn Saturday:Bucks at Clippers, 3:30 p.m. ET, League PassSixers at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. ET, League PassRockets at Spurs, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TVOn Sunday:Hornets at Pistons, 3:30 p.m. ET, League PassPacers at Rockets, 7 p.m. ET, League PassBucks at Nuggets Calvin Ridley Jersey , 8 p.m. ET, League PassCeltics at Blazers, 9 p.m. ET, League PassFull schedule here.LinksAnother episode of Spencer Hall’s true sports crime podcast It Seemed Smart is out. This one focuses on the incredible rise, abrupt fall, and continuing relevance of daily fantasy sports.Paul Flannery with a big piece on Giannis Antetokounmpo on the NBA’s last folk hero. The Bucks absolutely shredded the Warriors on national TV on Thursday. Brilliant piece from Alex Wong on the loneliness epidemic and how NBA players deal with the difficulty of making friends in locker rooms.I wrote about the Grizzlies bringing grime back to the NBA, even though Grit ‘n Grind remains dead.Howard Beck’s piece has me hyped for the 2019-20 L.A. Clippers.A history and analysis of the impact of the Eurostep.Tom Haberstroh compares Steph Curry to Michael Jordan as someone who was dismissed, accepted and copied.Victor Oladipo needs some help.How Brandon Ingram’s defense could unlock the Lakers. One game in, Tyson Chandler looks like a great fit.Mavericks fans start thinking about Zion Williamson.And finally: meet the fan who dips her chicken tenders in soda at sporting events, starting a wave. Not all heroines wear capes.Be excellent to each other. The Philadelphia 76ers have higher expectations now that they’ve added a third All-Star to a playoff roster, but those expectations may have been tapered after a 111-106 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.The 76ers traded Robert Covington and Dario Saric to the Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler, creating a talented trio along with the young Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. But Philly blew a 16-point fourth-quarter lead, allowing the Magic to creep in late and spoil Butler’s first game in a Sixers uniform. Butler’s acquisition was a polarizing one: Many basketball fans either loved the move, heralding Philly’s decision to attempt to win now, or hated it because the blend of personalities on the roster. Game 1 of Butler’s tenure in Philly isn’t a large enough sample size to see how this experiment will work out.Everything you need to know about the Jimmy Butler dramaJimmy Butler wants out of Minnesota. This is how we got here.Winners and Losers from the 76ers-Wolves blockbusterJimmy Butler’s ‘vociferous’ return to Timberwolves practice Authentic Terrell McClain Jersey , explainedThe 7 most savage moments from Jimmy Butler’s interview with Rachel NicholsThe Timberwolves let the Jimmy Butler mess happenJimmy Butler was ruining the Timberwolves’ season, and maybe their futureInside the state of the 76ers before the Jimmy Butler tradeThe 76ers have to figure this thing out on the flyButler addressed a Sixers need in the back court. He gives Philly another playmaker to take pressure off Ben Simmons, one who poses a threat from the perimeter.But teams always take time to adjust after a mid-season trades. Philly’s deal took two starters out and replaced them with one. The Sixers also inserted Wilson Chandler to start at the four. Brett Brown mixed his rotations up early and often. It’s going to take time to figure these players out on the floor.The shot distribution was also all over the place. Simmons only took five shots, Joel Embiid took 20, Butler took 12 and J.J. Redick took 13. The 76ers are best when Simmons is aggressive, but Orlando’s length on the inside limits his game. That should change against other opponents, which should open up tons of opportunity for Butler on the perimeter.We saw good signs, thoughThere were multiple offensive sets where Butler came off of a double Simmons-Embiid screen before making a move. He was active off the ball, scoring his first points as a Sixer off of a backdoor cut, and he didn’t force anything — instead, he just let the game come to him.The Embiid-Simmons-Butler trio is in its infant stage, and a loss to the Magic in their first night out isn’t anything to sweat about. These guys have barely had enough time to practice together. In due time, they’ll build the chemistry good teams need to win games.