Game 23: Houston Rockets At Washington Wizards Preview
The Houston Rockets couldn’t overcome their 24 turnovers against the Brooklyn Nets last night despite getting 32 points from Marcus Thornton off the bench.
The team lost 110-105.
The Rockets face the 9-10 Washington Wizards for the first time this season, who have been struggling to keep the core healthy, resulting in them losing quite a few games here and there.
It will will be a battle as this team loves to run and move the ball around with John Wall at the helm.
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So who’s leading the charge for the Wizards?
Bradley Beal leads the team in scoring (20.1 PPG), Marcin Gortat is the top board-getter (8.7 RPG) and shot-blocker (1.20 BPG). Wall is the team’s assists and steals champion (8.1 APG)/(2.30 SPG).
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Let’s talk about what the Wizards do well.
They love keep the basketball in their hands. The Wizards are 4th in the league in PACE factor, averaging 101.2 possessions per game.
The move to ball around efficiently to find their man. The Wizards are tied for 11th in the league in assist ratio with 16.6 of their possessions ending with an assist. I’m positive that’s Wall’s handy work there.
Injuries:
Trevor Ariza bruised his lower back in last night’s game off hard fall against the Brooklyn Nets and did not return. His status is officially day-to-day but I’d imagine that he’d try to give it a go tonight. His X-rays have come out negative so at least there’s some hope that the injury is not as bad as it seemed. It’s extremely rare for Ariza to miss a game and if he’s feeling it, he’ll give it go at least for a little while. Ariza appeared in all 82 games last season — I even recal he still appeared in a game despite a bout with the flu at the midpoint. He has started 104 consecutive games dating back to his time with the Wizards, his former team. Corey Brewer will be ready to go if Ariza has to sit.
Sam Dekker had back surgery and is expected to miss about three months.
Gortat has missed some time as he had to travel to Poland to tend to his mother, who was extremely ill. He has hinted that he’ll likely be probable for tonight.
Drew Gooden has been battling a calf injury for quite some time and sat out Monday’s game against the Heat. His status is officially OUT at the moment but may be ready to go tonight.
Nene Hilario has suffered a knee injury and did not play in Monday’s game as a result. His status is officially OUT but there’s an inkling of a possibility that he might be available.
Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and CSN Mid-Atlantic.
Next: Is This Rockets Season A Loss?
Three Things to Watch:
- James Harden vs. Beal
- Patrick Beverley vs. Wall
- Dwight Howard vs. Gortat?
Prediction:
106-100 in a Rockets’ win!
The Rockets hit the road to take on the Wizards at Verizon Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!