Game 40: OKC Thunder Vs. Houston Rockets Preview

I can’t believe it has been so long since the Houston Rockets have faced the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It feels like an eternity.

The Rockets need this rivalry and in healthy doses!

You know why?

Tempers usually flare, tenacity is increased and these teams go toe-to-toe down to the wire!

I recall just not too long ago where the Rockets would struggle to defeat the inside presence of Thunder.

But with Daryl Morey continuing to make deals to make this team better — especially inside the paint — that seems to be no problem for this team now.

It’s going to be great to see Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant go at it in spurts!

Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder center

Steven Adams

(12) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

You all remember when both were in street clothes nursing their injuries and Durant referred to D12 as a female body part — it certainly wasn’t in a flattering way either.

I think those tensions are still boiling over and things are going to get quite dicey at Toyota Center tomorrow night.

Because of this, I project that this will be one of the most memorable games this season.

It also is the last time the Rockets will host the Thunder in that same fashion as well.

Their last meeting was not easy to watch — the team’s woeful shooting in the sub-20 percent range on all areas of the court still was enough to beat the Thunder 69-65 Nov. 16th, which still remains their lowest point total of the season.

They were 3-8 and were without Russell Westbrook and Durant because of injury and relied heavily on Reggie Jackson for the team’s offense.

Skip forward to now — both Westbrook and Durant have been back for 11 games and have won a split of those games since. They’re now 18-19 and on the move to play catch up.

I talked about how imperative it was for the Rockets to mount a nice lead on OKC early in the season because they will be coming like a speeding freight train down the aisle once they get their groove back.

Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center

Steven Adams

(12) handles the ball against Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

I believe that they’re almost to that point.

The Thunder also acquired guard Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade that also involved the New York Knicks.

He has already appeared in two games with the Thunder and has been averaging 24.5 minutes a game and 14.0 points per 36 minutes.

He is eating away at Jackson’s precious minutes now that Westbrook is back.

So it will be interesting to see how both guards are used throughout the game and it will honestly come down to who’s playing and who has the hot hand.

The Thunder are currently 30th in assists (19.8), 23rd in steals (7.0), 22nd in turnovers (14.4 PPG) and 19th in offense (98.8 PPG).

The things that they do well in are with rebounds (2nd averaging 46.5 PPG), blocks (4th with 5.9), 8th in defense (allowing 98.0 PPG).

Westbrook leads the team in scoring, assists and steals with 26.2 PPG, 7.1 APG and 2.20 SPG.

Steven Adams leads the team in rebounds averaging 7.3 per game and Serge Ibaka is the blocks leader with 2.40 BPG.

It will be intriguing to see how the Rockets respond to the 2nd game of a back-to-back just off the road.

The Thunder have had five days off and are well-rested so we’ll have to see.

Three Things to Watch:

1. The ongoing beef between D12 and Durant — how it affects their performances. Will cooler heads prevail?

2. Battle of the Backcourt — Westbrook/Andre Roberson vs. Patrick Beverley/James Harden

3. How the Rockets peform on the 2nd game of a back-to-back off the road.

Prediction:

102-98 in a Rockets’ win

Game 40: Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Houston Rockets Preview

By Brian K. Patterson | Jan 15, 2015

Three Things to Watch:

Prediction: