The set-up: The Rockets have opened 3-3 and head to Washington to open the new week while continuing a challenging five-game road trip which has seen them go 1-2 so far. The Wizards opened the new season 0-3 but after ending that slide with a 95-92 Friday win at home over the Hawks, lost the following night 88-86 at Orlando. Monday night is the first of two games this season between the two teams.

Houston: James Harden (31.5-7.2-12.3) has at least 30 points and 10 assists in four of Houston's first six games and newcomer Eric Gordon (16.2) has been a nice complement in the backcourt. Ryan Anderson (12.2 & 6.3) and Trevor Ariza (11.2 & 4.2) round out the team's four double digit scorers. Houston committed 25 turnovers, including six by Harden, in a 112-97 loss at Atlanta on Saturday, as the Hawks shot 52.9 percent from the floor. Houston's defense needs to improve, or it will be a long season. The Rockets currently rank 23rd in scoring (108.2 PPG), allowing opponents to shoot 46.8% (28th).

Washington: The Wizards' poor start is partly (mostly?) due to Washington ranking last in the league with 14.5 PPG from its bench and reserves. "Guys just have to start stepping up and playing," Bradley Beal told reporters. "If they want to play, coach is going to play you and if you don't, he's going to sit you down so it's just a matter of us just being disciplined in the second group and everybody being on the same page." All five starters average between 10.6-to-22.0 PPG, led by PG John Wall (also averages 10.0 APG).

The pick: Houston has its weaknesses but I just don't trust the Wizards at all. Washington's scoring average dipped to 97.2 PPG (26th) after its 88-86 loss in Orlando. Washington blew a 10-point lead in the final 11 minutes of that contest and that's becoming "par for the course." The Rockets have won three straight in Washington and I'll make them a 10* play in this one.