Game 67: Orlando Magic Vs. Houston Rockets Preview
The Houston Rockets had quite an impressive win against the Los Angeles Clippers this past Sunday!
I’m beginning to start to like our guys on national television because they’ve seemed to always shine their brightest when the size of the stage increases.
It makes me proud that our beloved team hung tough, had the lead at times and saw this game through all the way to the end.
And how about Trevor Ariza?
He hasn’t been the scorer I’ve hoped this season like he was with the Washington Wizards but we have enough scorers on this team.
The way he defended Chris Paul on that final play was nothing short of remarkable.
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That’s why he was brought in — for his defense with his long arms and do things like that to help us win!
But it’s time for the next opponent — the 21-47 Orlando Magic.
The last time they faced each other, it was Jan. 14 and it was one of those match ups to forget. The Rockets hung around for most of the game but were completely dominated by the likes of Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton all rising stars in this league. They lost 120-113.
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again!
Here’s tonight’s injury report via the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen:
Rockets add Pat Beverley (right elbow bursitis) to the injury reports. He's questionable vs. Magic tonight. Howard, Papanikolaou out.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 17, 2015
Vucevic leads the team in scoring (19.6 PPG) and rebounds (11.2 RPG); Payton in assists (6.0 APG), Oladipo in steals (1.70 SPG) and Kyle O’Quinn in blocks (0.90 BPG).
But let’s talk about what the Magic do well.
They are tenacious with their board-grabbing on defense. The Magic are 5th in the league in defensive rebound rate (76.4).
The key match up to keep your eye on is of the back court. Payton and Oladipo have averaged 33.0 PPG and 12.2 APG in the last five games and terroized the Rockets in their last meeting. They’ll be going head-to-head with Patrick Beverley and James Harden.
Ariza will also be going up against Tobias Harris who was out with a sprained left ankle in the last meeting, he has been averaging 20.0 PPG in the last five games.
Also keep an eye on Donatas Motiejunas against Vucevic who has been averaging a double-double in the last five games (17.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG).
This should be a game where the Rockets will prevail but they can’t get complacent or else we’ll see a repeat of January’s match up.
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Three Things to Watch:
1. Battle of Back court — Payton/Oladipo vs. Beverley/Beard
2. Harris vs. Ariza
3. Vucevic vs. D-Mo
Prediction:
104-94 in a Rockets’ win!
The Rockets take on the Magic tonight at Toyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT.
The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME).
Go Rockets!