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Game 63: Houston Rockets Vs. Denver Nuggets Preview

ByBrian K. Patterson|

The Houston Rockets have had quite a fast and furious schedule, getting ready to undertake their fifth game in the past seven days.

Even for the mightiest of warriors, that’s a tough schedule to handle.

It’s quite amazing that the Rockets have at least competed against their opponents and did not curl up in ball and get beat up.

Nope, even one game withoutJames Harden, this team still took it to the hardwood, taking care of business but coming up short down the stretch.

It’s the 4th quarter that really has bitten us in the rear over these past two games.

They’d play decently for 36 minutes but those last 12 have been a tough pill to swallow.

But anyway, the Rockets will take on the 22-39 Denver Nuggets tonight.

This was a team that had so much promise but it looks like they’ll be tearing this team down again, poised for another rebuild.

Brian Shawwas relieved of his head coaching duties Tuesday (56-85, two seasons) as the team continued to struggle,evenKevin Garnettfelt that the team had quit on himafter their 100-85 loss to the Nugs this past Wednesday.

The team has gone 2-1 so far under interim head coach Melvin Hunt as the new voice in the locker room — he may be what the doctor ordered, maybe not.

These teams last met Dec. 17 in a photo finish that involved the Rockets prevailing 115-111 in overtime.

Ty Lawsoncontinues to be the anchor for the franchise, leading in scoring (16.0 PPG), assists (9.8 APG, 3rd in the league) and steals (1.30 SPG).Kenneth Fariedis their top board-getter averaging 8.7 per game andJusuf Nurkicis their chief shot-blocker (1.30 BPG).

But let’s talk about what the Nuggets do well.

They love to have the ball in their hands.The Nuggets are 5th in the league in PACE, averaging 98.3 possessions per game.

They take care of the basketball decently.The Nuggets are 10th in the league in turnover ratio with only 12.6 of their possessions ending in a turnover.

They go for the second-chance frequently.The Nuggets have offensive rebound rate of 26.3, good for 10th in the league.

The top match-up to watch will bePatrick Beverleygoing up againstTy Lawson, the motor to the Nuggets engine. Let’s see if one the league’s top defenders can shut him down. He held him to 12 points and 4-for-12 shooting back in December but Lawson had16assists.

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It will also be interesting to see how our bigs match up with theirs.Terrence JonesandDonatas Motiejunaswill be battling up against Faried andDanilo Gallinariwho has been on a tear as of late. He has averaged 19.2 PPG in the last five games. Faried has averaged 10.5 RPG in the last five, well above his average.

The most important thing to see will be how well they respond to a back-to-back flying from H-Town to the Mile High City to take on another game. The grind of a back-to-back may be a factor.

But despite all of that, they should be able to get a nice win against a team that has some talented pieces but is not very good overall.

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Three Things to Watch:

1. Beverley vs. Lawson

2. TJones/D-Mo vs. Gallinari/Faried

3. How they respond from travel on a back-to-back

Prediction:

115-102in aRockets’win!

The Rockets take on theNuggetstonight on the road atPepsi Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for8 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised onROOT Sports Southwestand broadcast onSportsTalk 790 AM (KBME).

Go Rockets!

Next: State Of The Houston Rockets -- Post Trade Deadline

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