Houston Rockets

Toyota Center in downtown Houston is where Hakeem Olajuwon became a legend, where Yao Ming became a global phenomenon, and where James Harden broke the scoring record for beard-related celebrations. This franchise has produced some of the most entertaining basketball in NBA history, and the arena sitting right in the middle of downtown makes it one of the most accessible game-day experiences in the league.

Rockets fans bring serious energy, especially when the team is competitive. The back-to-back championships in '94 and '95 proved that Houston is a basketball city, and the Harden era - love it or hate the stepback three - put Toyota Center on the national map. The crowd gets loud on big nights, and the downtown location means the arena fills up with a mix of die-hard fans and Houston's corporate crowd.

For food, Toyota Center sits in a city that's arguably the most diverse food scene in America. Pregame, head to Chinatown on Bellaire for pho or dim sum that rivals anything in Asia. For Tex-Mex, El Tiempo on Navigation is the move. After the game, Midtown and EaDo (East Downtown) are right there with bars and restaurants open late.

The craft beer scene in Houston has exploded - 8th Wonder Brewery and Saint Arnold Brewing are both short rides from the arena and worth the trip before or after the game. Rockets basketball in downtown Houston is a night out in one of America's biggest, most dynamic cities. The young roster is building something new, and Toyota Center is the foundation. Catch a game and then eat your way through Houston. You won't regret either decision.