Game 43: Houston Rockets Vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

It’s that time again — the Houston Rockets will face the 31-6 Golden State Warriors again within the span of less than a week.

This will be the last time they face each other this season.

This is certainly an opportunity for the Rockets to get it right this time.

Despite the different lineup combinations the Rockets have had, the Warriors have been enabled to find a way to beat us. They did so in a 131-106 win this past Saturday.

It kind of leaves a bad taste in all of our mouths.

The team just has not had an answer to contain Stephen Curry, he is usually always around to do the dirty work and send the Rockets their locker room disappointed.

That has to change.

That’s got to be Plan No. 1 — contain, contain, contain.

The Warriors took away what the Rockets do best — sink three-pointers and tapping into James Harden‘s talents.

Jan 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) scores a basket during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 131-106. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Both were shut down this past Saturday — they shot 7-for-23 from beyond-the-arc (30.4 percent) and held the Beard to just 12 points off 4-for-15 shooting.

The Rockets must continue to be multidimensional and not let a few important factors take them out of the game.

They must rise above it!

The Warriors still possess the league’s No. 1 offense (110.3 PPG) facing the league’s No. 11 defense (98.4 PPG) in the Rockets. The Rockets have slid a bit in the rankings because of them giving up a few triple-digit games over the past week. Particularly the 131 points they gave up to the Warriors.

Curry still leads the team in points (23.2 PPG), assists (8.0 APG) and steals (2.10 SPG). Bogut is the lead board-getter averaging 8.7 RPG and blocks (1.90 BPG).

The Warriors are currently 18-1 at home — it’s not easy to win there with their dedicated, passionate and raucous crowd but it can be overcome.

But if the Rockets focus, keep zeroing in on the task at the hand, they can and will in at Oracle Arena.

Jan 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard

Stephen Curry

(30) attempts to drive the ball past Houston Rockets guard

Patrick Beverley

(2) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Beverley must step it up tonight and have the best defensive performance of his life against Curry.

All of Curry’s success is happening on his watch so he must prove that he can continue to be the defensive stopper the Rockets have become affixed to seeing out on the court.

It’s always great to see Dwight Howard match up with Andrew Bogut, another factor for the team’s success. He has been mostly healthy this season and you can’t win in the NBA without a dominant post-game presence. The Warriors have that so let’s see these two tussle with each other!

I honestly think this game will be close as the Rockets will try to get it right one more time and they’ll win dramatically in doing so.

Three Things to Watch:

1. How the Beard will respond to the Warriors focus of taking him out the equation

2. Beverley vs. Curry

3. How the Rockets will be able to handle one of the toughest arenas to play in

Prediction:

109-106 in a Rockets’ win!