Game 23: Denver Nuggets Vs. Houston Rockets Preview

The Houston Rockets fresh off one day of rest from another hard-fought win in overtime against the Sacramento Kings.

Although they trailed the Kings for most the game, the team got it together late in the game and put themselves in a position to take over the game and come out the victor.

It was absolutely amazing watching James Harden take charge and confidently swish three-pointers in addition to driving baseline to draw those fouls need to get him to the free throw line.

That seems to be his sanctuary as of late, leading the league in free throws attempted and made.  He averages close to 10 a game in both regards.

What a game!

Apr 6, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) brings up the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

But now the Rockets shift their focus on the up-and-down Denver Nuggets who are a far cry from what once was when former head coach George Karl was at the helm.

The Nuggets continue to progress in increments under second-year head coach Brian Shaw though.

They currently have a Top 10 NBA offense — currently ranked 8th — are 4th in the league in rebounds but are 27th in defense, which is their Achilles’ heel and why they haven’t won as many games as they should.

Nov 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives to the basket past Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second half at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 122-111. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Ty Lawson is currently the man, with a lot the offense flowing through him.  He leads the team in points per game (15.9), assists (10.3) and steals (1.60).  His 10.3 assists per game are good for third-best in the league, he certainly is the ball distributor that can be quite dangerous if the Rockets’ don’t tame him.

Their inside presence consists of Timofey Mozgov and Kenneth Faried who just recently returned from a back injury. Mozgov currently leads the team in rebounds per game (7.9) and blocks (1.40).

Arron Affalo and Wilson Chandler make up the rest of the starting five — Danilo Gallinari and Nate Robinson are out tending to knee and back injuries respectively.

It was Affalo and Chandler who both combined for 33 points help the Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 102-82 Thursday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.

As for the Rockets, Trevor Ariza (right knee contusion) and Dwight Howard (right knee strain) are probable.  Isaiah Canaan (left ankle sprain), Francisco Garcia (right calf/Achilles strain), Terrence Jones (left leg nerve inflammation) and Kostas Papanikolaou are out for tonight’s game.

Howard finally returns after missing 11 games nursing his injury.

My best guess is that the Rockets will work him in slowly and he’ll probably play around 20 to 25 minutes tonight.  There’s no need for D12 to go full tilt against the Nuggets, a team that we can certainly beat without him.  We’ll have to see how his readiness is after riding the pine for so long.

Apr 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets power forward Jan Vesely (24) guards Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It will also be interesting to see if the Rockets can shut down their high-powered offense via Ty Lawson.  James Harden and Patrick Beverley have and continue to be good at what they’ve been doing on defense and they’ll stymie their back court from going awry.

Tarik Black has progressed immensely as a post man and it will be intriguing to see how he does against Mozgov/Faried, who are no pushovers.  He will have help Donatas Motiejunas where they will both alternate depending on what the defensive sets will be.

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This should be a slightly entertaining game but this will be one the Rockets will control and run away with.

Three Things to Watch:

1.  Beverley/Harden vs. Lawson/Affalo

2. Dwight Howard’s readiness for his first game in a month

3. How D-Mo and Tarik Black defend the post

Prediction:

110-96 in a Rockets’ win

The Rockets take on the Nuggets tonight at home at Toyota Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and will be broadcast on 790 AM (KBME).

Go Rockets!