The Rockets are “pissed off” after a frustrating Opening Week, and Kevin Durant thinks that’s exactly the kind of energy that will lead to redemption.

Durant and team are coming off of two heart-breaking losses- one a nail-biting, one-point finish against the best team in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder on Opening Night and one to the Detroit Pistons in a disappointing home-opener. 

There were two games going on at the Toyota Center in Houston Saturday night- one between the two very physically aggressive defenses and one between the court and officials. There were 52 total fouls with 27 in the first half. Several starters on both sides were in foul trouble by the end of the fourth. 

The stop-and-go of it all dismantled Houston’s rhythm while Detroit bullied them in the paint. Still, Durant was able to save face for the team, dropping 37 points and drawing multiple fouls in the last quarter, trailing only by four 115-111 at the buzzer. 

Opening Night was even brutal in a different way. The Rockets fell to the Thunder 125-124 in the last two seconds of double overtime when Durant fouled star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sending him to the line. 

The face off with the reigning champions in Oklahoma City inspired more confidence among fans than disappointment, though. The Rockets showed refined rhythm, the young core meshed well with Durant, and Udoka’s “go big” defense approach seemed to prove effective. 

Houston is projected to shut Brooklyn down on both ends of the court- the FanDuel spread as of now (pre-tipoff) sits at -16.5 favoring the Rockets. 

Odds are subject to change.