Game 33: Miami Heat Vs. Houston Rockets Preview

The Houston Rockets have gotten through last week without all of their hides chewed out.

They completely deserved it as it was one the less-than-stellar weeks I’ve seen in quite some time.

But I honestly believe it’s attributed to the growing pains the Rockets are experiencing with the new additions that were made recently in Josh Smith, Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved.

Dec 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) warms up before a game against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Although there have been some strides toward the team working together as a cohesive unit, it appears that they have some ways to go with this.

I’m fully aware that because of the schedule, this unit hasn’t had much time to practice together to work out the kinks.

But once that’s done, I think this team will be doing just fine.

I highly recommend that Smoove head back to the bench in favor of Donatas Motiejunas — the Rockets seem to be a lot more effective when he is in the starting lineup.

I just want him to lose his rhythm with the reduced minutes that he’s is now playing now — some of those have diverted to Smith.

Something must be thought of fast or we’re going to be watching our advantage slip over the powerhouses of the West.

We’re still a powerhouse aren’t we?

We’ve got to act like one then!

Nov 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward

Chris Bosh

(1) and Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) both dive for a loose ball during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Rockets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, the Rockets are back home after a quick jaunt up to the Big Easy to get pummeled by the New Orleans Pelicans 111-83 last night. Most of the damage was done partly because of the Rockets’ horrid shooting and Tyreke Evans being virtually unstoppable on the Rockets’ front.

They will face a fledgling Miami Heat team that has lost three straight. They’ve only won three of their last 10 games and the Rockets beat them 108-91 Nov. 4th.

Life after LeBron James has become a painful hangover for a team that continues to struggle.

It seems as if stars Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade have traded their thirst from raising championship banners in favor of raising their paychecks instead.

It’s a slippery slope because with the current salary-cap restrictions, it can really handcuff a general manager’s ability to grow.

That’s what’s happened to the Heat — continuing to slide from projected mediocrity to the bowels of the Eastern Conference all because of the all-mighty dollar.

So the Rockets must take advantage of this downward slide.

It’s ugly — they’re dead last (30th) in rebounds and blocks per game (35.9 & 3.5), 28th in assists (19.8), 27th in offense (94.7) and 10th in turnovers (13.3). But their brightest spot is that they still have the league’s 6th-best defense (holding opponents to 98.1 PPG) with them being 6th in the league (8.6) in steals.

The Rockets should be licking their chops at such awful numbers.

Nov 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) dunks the ball against Miami Heat players during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Rockets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Spoelstra finally decided to make adjustments and insert Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen in the lineup to help with inside presence along with Bosh, Wade and Luol Deng.

It didn’t work as they lost to both the Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers earlier this week.

But they’ve had two days off to rest since Wednesday and will be looking to end their skid.

Wade currently leads the team in points per game (23.2) and assists (5.6) while Bosh is leading board-getter, averaging 8.2 of those per game.

On another note, Mario Chalmers leads the team in steals averaging 1.70 a game.

James Harden will be tasked with defending Wade which is were the offense flows through. If he is successful in shutting him down, then the Heat will be decimated and we will win.

Smith/Dwight Howard will match up with the Heat’s bigs — if you really want to call them that — in Bosh and Andersen.

These are two guys that just have been ineffective in the paint which explains the reasoning behind such gaudy numbers in that area.

So those are two match ups to keep your eye on.

Three Things to Watch:

1. Harden vs. Wade

2. How Spoelstra can effectively rotate his bigs to counter the Rockets production

3. Crowd reaction of Bosh’s first game in Houston since his infamous mid-summer shank

Prediction:

104-93 in a Rockets’ win

The Rockets take on the Heat at Toyota Center tonight.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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

Go Rockets!

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