Game 21: Houston Rockets Vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

The Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors — one month later.

That’s what this match up should be referred to.

It has been just a little over a month since the last time these two teams faced each other.

I can definitely say that a lot has changed since Nov. 8.

At that time, both teams were undefeated and both were jockeying for position in terms of having the league’s best record.

We as Rockets fans were worried about not having our three key starts for that game — that would be Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones.

But amazingly, just like this team is doing now, they fought hard and played solid defense to keep themselves in the game until late in the 4th quarter when Stephen Curry just went bonkers with his prolific shooting.

Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) attempts to get a rebound during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The difference is — this team is still without some key starters but they have remained resourceful and found ways to beat teams that they’re not favored to beat.

With each Rockets’ game that passes by, I take the approach that we can beat any team in the league, despite the names on the back on jerseys of any given roster.

It’s a slippery slope when one focuses on that because we’re able to win with a good chunk of this bunch that would be relegated to the bench in normal circumstances.

But they’re playing hard, they’re playing defense and they’re having fun out there on the basketball court.

When those attributes are combined, it makes a team hard to beat, a fire in their belly that can’t be put out, a spirit that will not die!

That is why your Rockets are 16-4 and continue to be one of the top teams not only in the Western Conference but in the league.

Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward

Donatas Motiejunas

(20) gets a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This team is beatable — if the Rockets knuckle down and concentrate on the task at hand, they will get it done.

They will be facing the Warriors on the road and it’s not easy to win at Oracle Arena with their raucous crowd in tow.

In fact, the Warriors have 69 percent winning percentage at home so far with a quarter of this season complete dating back into last season. They currently boast an 11-1 record at home so far.

They’re 18-2 overall and Steve Kerr has that believing not only in him but in themselves as well.

That’s quite remarkable but doesn’t have any bearing for these Rockets.

The most important match up of the night will the battle of both team’s dynamic back courts. It’s also the one I anticipate the most.

Beverley was out for this game but he his back and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.

Isaiah Canaan did quite well in his stead but he doesn’t quite have the defensive talents of Beverley, which are second to none.

Beverley and James Harden will be going up against Curry and Klay Thompson.

Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) attempts to control the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Last game, the back court of each team accounted for more than half of the team’s total points scored and I don’t expect anything different tonight.

Especially with how well Beverley is shooting the three-ball. He currently is shooting a team-high 49 percent from that territory.

Last month, I was worried about Donatas Motiejunas and how he’d match up with Warriors — but he did just fine throwing in 16 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench.

He and Tarik Black will be tasked with defending Andrew Bogut, who is a rebounding machine — he had 18 of them in the last contest.

They’ll likely switch around as Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala are rotated on and off the bench. Iguodala had 15 points in 31 minutes off the bench against the Rockets.

The Warriors are now the league’s 4th-ranked offense providing 106.9 points per contest. It will be interesting to see if they can hold the Warriors below their average with their stifling defense as of late.

They were wildly successful in doing that against the Phoenix Suns Saturday, holding them to 13 points below their average and causing them to slide from 4th to 6th in offense.

So let’s see if the league’s No. 2 defense — holding opponents to 94.1 points per game — can do the same thing with the Warriors.

Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots during the second quarter /as Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Howard/Jones will still be out tonight with no timetable for their return and add Kostas Papanikolaou to the list, he suffered a right knee strain Saturday and is expected to be out for a max of about two weeks.

Canaan will likely not be available as well but he has since been out of his walking boot for more than a week since spraining his left ankle against the Los Angeles Clippers Nov. 28th. The Rockets’ brass will likely bring him along a little slower since Beverley is back and guys like Jason Terry and Nick Johnson have really stepped it up. It’s best that he returns at 100 percent — he still has not practiced with the team yet.

He defense will be missed but as with other challenges the Rockets have faced, they’ll continue to press on.

Three Things to Watch:

1. Rockets vs. Warriors back court

2. How D-Mo and Black defend the Warriors’ bigs

3. Will the Rockets continue their impressive steak of suffocating defense against the Warriors?

Prediction:

98-93 in a Rockets’ win