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Houston Rockets guard James Harden is back in action Tuesday versus the Denver Nuggets after a one-game absence due to a toe injury. In his return, however, he will likely face multiple double teams if Nuggets head coach Mike Malone has anything to say about it. “I know it’s probably frustrating for him, but he should take it as a sign of huge respect, because people are scheming to take the ball out of the best scorer in recent memory’s hands,” Malone said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Despite the dizzying array of defenses that Harden has faced thus far in 2019-20, he has kept a stranglehold on the top scoring spot in the league, averaging a gaudy 38.3 points per game. On pace to lead the league in scoring for the third consecutive year, slowing the Harden has become paramount to defeating the Rockets. No team in the league has done a better job at shutting down opposing shooting guards this year from a fantasy perspective than the Nuggets. Of course, James Harden is far from

By Jonathan Feigen , Houston Chronicle Published 5:43 pm CST, Tuesday, December 31, 2019 PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center on December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season. less PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during a 122-117 Houston Rockets win at Staples Center ... more Photo: Harry How/Getty Images Photo: Harry How/Getty Images Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Image 1 of 44 PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets scores on a dunk in front of Ivica Zubac #40 and Paul George #13 of the LA Cli

If you follow space news and astronomy, the past year offered no shortage of highlights. Astronomers provided humanity’s first glimpse of a black hole. China landed on the moon’s far side. And the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing inspired us to look ahead to our future in space. The year to come will be no less eventful: No fewer than four missions to Mars could leave Earth this summer. NASA may finally launch astronauts into orbit aboard capsules built by SpaceX and Boeing. We expect to learn more secrets about the interstellar comet Borisov. And private companies are working to demonstrate new abilities in space. However much you love space and astronomy, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest news in orbit and beyond. That’s why we’ve put dates for some of these events on The Times’s Astronomy and Space Calendar, which has been updated for 2020. Subscribe on your personal digital calendar to be automatically synced with our updates all year

Gorge Rocket Club hosts its annual New Year’s Day rocket launch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Westside Elementary School. Rocket building kits will be available while supplies last for $15 (cash only) and include one engine for launch. This is an all-ages event, but parents must accompany and supervise children. The Gorge Rocket Club is a National Association of Rocketry official club and is run by volunteers. Additional “bring your own rocket” launches will be held monthly at Wy’east and Parkdale Elementary. For more information, visit www.gorgerocketclub.com.

The Denver Nuggets weren’t able to send off 2019 with a win, as early defensive struggles sunk them in a 130-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. Despite a valiant comeback effort in the third quarter, Denver’s offense couldn’t find a rhythm throughout the night as the Nuggets began their longest road trip of the season with a loss. "The defense was not up to par," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said. "Our defense has slowly been disappearing, even though we've gone 9-1 in the past 10 games. Give them credit, they're a good team. But this was disappointing." The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair as both teams executed well offensively. After a quick 7-2 start by the Nuggets, the two teams traded baskets during the quarter before Houston began to slowly build up a lead. An 11-4 run by the Rockets gave them control of the game midway through the first quarter and they would ultimately take a 38-26 lead into the second quarter. Houston closed the quar

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Houston Rockets center Isaiah Hartenstein has been starting to rise in the rotation with Clint Capela’s recent injury. Could this be the start of something? It was unfortunate to see the Houston Rockets fall to the New Orleans Pelicans last night 127-112.  Although the Pels have a scrappy, young team ahead of them this team should’ve been able to beat them despite not having James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela. I’m sure Mike D’Antoni is watching the load management of Harden as well as Westbrook and Capela has been reeling from a heel contusion for the past couple of games.  If this was a game that Harden and Westbrook needed to be available for, I’m sure they would’ve played but it’s perfectly fine because they need their rest as well. With a game that involved just seven lead changes, seven ties and the Houston Rockets leading by as much as nine points, it was not enough for the Pels, that led by as much 19 points when it was all said and done. Although the score to

By Jonathan Feigen , Houston Chronicle Updated 8:44 pm CST, Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second quarter of an NBA game at the Toyota Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Houston. Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second quarter of an NBA game at the Toyota Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Houston. Photo: Jon Shapley/Staff Photographer Photo: Jon Shapley/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 69 Caption Close Image 1 of 69 Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second quarter of an NBA game at the Toyota Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Houston. Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second quarter of an NBA game at the Toyota Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Houston. Photo: Jon Shapley/Staf

With the decade coming to a close, the Rockets certainly have a lot to be proud of. Out of 30 teams, the Rockets are one of four teams with a winning percentage over 60 percent. The team has also appeared in the postseason seven years out of ten, a feat only 12 teams have accomplished. While the decade resulted in zero Finals appearances, despite two visits to the Conference Finals, the Rockets fielded a competitive team throughout the entire decade, and we can be thankful for that. I sent out a tweet on the Dream Shake Twitter account asking fans what their favorite moment of the decade was. Only responses from this Tweet will be listed, so you won’t see James Harden’s 57-point New Year’s Eve spectacular, Dwight Howard and Josh Smith’s amazing fourth quarter against the Mavericks in the 2015 Playoffs or the Russell Westbrook-led comeback against the Clippers just two weeks ago. Here are the best moments of the decade, according to the fans: James Harden traded to Houston - 2012

Before we begin, I think I can speak for all of us at The Dream Shake and say that we wish you a happy new year. Hopefully 2020 brings more success to the Rockets but more importantly to each of you. Normally this is a Rockets blog, but if you’d like to brag about something you did in 2019 or something you have planned for 2020, go ahead and throw that in the comments for some free recs and support. We’re all rooting for each other here. It’s hard to call a game on December 31 a must-win, but this is about as close as it gets. The Denver Nuggets are a team that the Rockets are chasing for a top seed in the Western Conference and the Nuggets already lead the season series 1-0. Denver is 23-9 and are 9-1 over their last ten games. A win tonight would see them go three games ahead of Houston in the loss column and guarantee the Nuggets a season series tie. You already know Denver’s lineup, but since the teams last met, Michael Porter Jr. has started to get minutes and even started on S

Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas TV: NBA-TV Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App Online: Rockets App Nuggets SBNation Blog: Denver Stiffs Both James Harden and Clint Capela were listed as questionable in the lead up to the game, but both will play, and with Eric Gordon also back from injury, the Rockets will be playing with a full lineup for the first time in a long time. Gary Harris is out for the Nuggets, while Paul Millsap will play. Rockets starters: Tucker, House Jr., Capela, Harden, Westbrook. (Harden and Capela were listed as questionable.) Nuggets: Millsap, Craig, Jokic, Barton III, Murray. (Millsap and Harris were listed as questionable.) Officials: Fitzgerald, Kennedy, Washington. — Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 31, 2019 The Beard has had some pretty big success historically on New Year’s Eve, so let’s hope that continues, as the Rockets will be looking to get back on track against a D

Houston Rockets guard James Harden is back in action Tuesday versus the Denver Nuggets after a one-game absence due to a toe injury. In his return, however, he will likely face multiple double teams if Nuggets head coach Mike Malone has anything to say about it. “I know it’s probably frustrating for him, but he should take it as a sign of huge respect, because people are scheming to take the ball out of the best scorer in recent memory’s hands,” Malone said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Despite the dizzying array of defenses that Harden has faced thus far in 2019-20, he has kept a stranglehold on the top scoring spot in the league, averaging a gaudy 38.3 points per game. On pace to lead the league in scoring for the third consecutive year, slowing the Harden has become paramount to defeating the Rockets. No team in the league has done a better job at shutting down opposing shooting guards this year from a fantasy perspective than the Nuggets. Of course, James Harden is far from

Superstar guard James Harden and center Clint Capela each returned to the Houston Rockets starting lineup for Tuesday’s game versus Denver. Head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed the statuses of both players in his pregame media session with reporters at Toyota Center. Harden missed Sunday’s loss in New Orleans with what the team called a sprained right big toe, though D’Antoni later clarified that he was also dealing with a sore knee. Both incidents are believed to have occurred during Saturday’s home win over Brooklyn, which Harden finished out. D’Antoni said Harden “probably could” have played Sunday, if the game was more meaningful. The 30-year-old easily leads the NBA this season at 38.3 points per game, and he’s also in the top 10 in assists at 7.5. James Harden (toe) and Clint Capela (heel) will both play for the #Rockets tonight, per Mike D’Antoni. Each had been listed as questionable. #OneMission — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 31, 2019 Comparatively speaking, Tuesda

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There’s a lot of contingencies to this piece. For one, I wanted it to be a ranking, but these things are so hard to weigh. Like, how do you compare the first Chinese-born No. 1 pick going into the Hall of Fame to a player earning an MVP two seasons after not even making an All-NBA team? You can’t. Instead, this is just going to be a list of some awesome happenings for Houston Rockets individuals. Secondly, this is a list of awards, titles, denominations, etc. given by the league. So, having the first-ever 60-point triple-double is a great personal achievement for Harden, but we’re only counting tangible awards here — mostly because we’d be listing a boat-load of Harden personal stats. Lastly, I’m probably going to miss some, because I can’t remember all of them, ya know? So, if you have some you want to drop in the comments, feel free to do so. Enjoy! Aaron Brooks , Most Improved Player Award Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images Oh, yes. We’re starting off hot right out o