Game 58: Houston Rockets At Portland Trail Blazers Preview
These losses for the Houston Rockets continue to get tougher and tougher to witness.
The Rockets had every opportunity to take down the Utah Jazz Tuesday night but came up short as they wanted it more badly.
This team has so much potential but yet they continue to underachieve.
It’s completely mind-boggling.
James Harden scored 42 points and it still wasn’t enough to help us overcome the Jazz in a unfortunate 117-114 loss.
Our playoff contention hopes are still in play but I know wonder if it’s even worth it to qualify with the level of inconsistency this team has.
But there’s still plenty of time to right the ship and they have a game to play tonight.
The Rockets will take on the extremely hot 30-27 Portland Trail Blazers and hopefully they’ll avenge that terrible 116-103 loss at the Moda Center back Feb. 10.
We may not win this game but I expect to see a better effort than what I saw a few weeks back, that’s for damn sure!
So who’s leading the charge for the Trail Blazers?
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Damian Lillard is the leading scorer (25.1 PPG) and assist man (7.2 APG). C.J. McCollum is the steals king (1.20 SPG). Mason Plumlee is the top board-getter (7.7 RPG) and shot-blocker (1.00 BPG).
Let’s talk about what the Trail Blazers do well.
They’re offensively sound. The Blazers are ranked 7th in the league in offensive efficiency, averaging 105.2 points per 100 possessions.
They’re great at rebounding the basketball. The Blazers are ranked 5th in rebound rate, taking down 51.7 percent of missed shots. They’re also 3rd in offensive rebound rate (26.8) and 9th in defensive rebound rate (77.0).
They’re great shooters. The Blazers are 9th in the league in effective field goal percentage (50.9).
Injuries:
The Detroit Pistons have voided the three-team trade that took place last Thursday because of concerns of Donatas Motiejunas‘ back. He did not pass their physical so he’s back with the Rockets. Although he’s with the team on paper, expect D-Mo to be out a while until this issue gets sorted out. Hopefully, we can see a return before the season is out. He has sought a second opinion about his back but there’s still no solid timetable for a return.
Sam Dekker had back surgery back in November but the 2015 first-round pick seems to be edging closer to a return. He participated in his first full-contact practice since the injury last Wednesday. His return is imminent but he’ll be back-and-forth between the Rockets and the Vipers as he undergoes his training regimen as a result of his recovery from the procedure.
There are no injuries to report for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com.
Next: The Return Of D-Mo: Shall We Embrace?
Three Things to Watch:
Prediction:
106-100 in a Rockets’ loss.
The Rockets continue their road trip to take on the Blazers at the Moda Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised on TNT/ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!