Game 12: Houston Rockets Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview

Should we start etching the lettering on the tombstone for the Houston Rockets 2015-16 season?

As each game progresses, I further wonder if that’s eventually what this team is destined for.

It’s quite painful to watch and although the first half against the Boston Celtics was watchable, the 2nd half was not.

As I expected, they let a hungry, young Celtics team come into our house and made this team look like victims of robbery.

Although no material possessions were taken, its seems the Celts packed up the Rockets heart, hustle, pride and spirit in their gym bags while boarding their plane back to Beantown.

As we all witnessed what would thought would be the unthinkable, the reality of this team not finding its way has come full circle.

It concerns me to no end but all I can do — as with the Rockets — is take things one game at a time.

It will be a lot easier that way not only physically but mentally.

Anyway, the Rockets have a game to play and face the 4-8 Portland Trail Blazers tonight for the first time this season.

The Blazers did get themselves off to a hot start but the fact that they don’t have LaMarcus Aldridge in the middle anymore has hurt this team, being the losers of six straight games.

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With the Rockets losing four straight — their longest streak since the 2012-13 season — somebody’s streak is going to get snapped tonight and I certainly hope that it’s the team that bears the moniker “Clutch City,” which has not only been a tagline for this franchise but the rallying cry for every season since the back-to-back championships.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Rockets to snap their streak but with what we’ve seen this season so far — I can’t guarantee that we will see more of the same.

We shall see.

So who’s leading the charge for the Blazers?

Damian Lillard has presumptuously taken over the reins as the leader — he currently holds it down in scoring (25.3 PPG) and dimes (7.1 APG). Mason Plumlee is the top-board getter (8.0 RPG) as well as the steals king (1.30 SPG). Cliff Alexander is their top shot-blocker with him averaging 1.00 BPG.

Let’s talk about what the Blazers do well.

These guys put the ball in hoop accurately. The Blazers are 5th in the league in effective field goal percentage (51.1).

They don’t miss too often, wherever that may be. The Blazers are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage (54.3).

Injuries:

Patrick Beverley was able to kick off his walking boot for ankle this past Monday, so that certainly means he’s making progress for a return soon. However, the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen indicates that there’s still no timetable for him to get back on the court. This will be his third-straight game that he has missed.

Sam Dekker has had issues with his back for the past week or so and will have back surgery to correct it. He is expected to miss about three months, as ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reports.

Meyers Leonard has already been ruled OUT for tonight as he misses his 4th straight game with a shoulder injury.

Next: Playing Rockets GM For A Day

Three Things to Watch:

Ty Lawson vs. Lillard
How effective the Rockets can curtail the Blazers shooting
Will see any resemblance of heart and pride on the floor tonight?

Prediction:

101-96 in a Rockets’ win!

The Rockets take on the Blazers tonight at Toyota Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) & La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets.

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