In perhaps the worst loss of their 2024-25 campaign to date, the Rockets lost their regular-season opener in October to the lowly Charlotte Hornets. Playing at home, Houston led by as many as 18 points in the first half of that game.
Now, exactly two months later, the Rockets (19-9) have an opportunity to make amends when they pay a return visit to Charlotte (7-21) on Monday night. It's game two of a three-game road trip for the Rockets, who had a comeback victory at Toronto on Sunday.
Under normal circumstances, that dynamic might lead the favorite to overlook a lesser opponent like the Hornets, but that may not be the case here — considering that season-opening loss.