There is hope for our Houston Rockets guys.
After jettisoningTy LawsonandMarcus Thorntonbefore the waiver deadline, the Rockets were able to pick up serviceable help inMichael BeasleyandAndrew Goudelock, both who had most recently had been playing in the Chinese Basketball Association.
They had tremendous success as of late there and the Rockets decided to give these guys a shot back in the Association which is quite warranted.
Beasley was crowned the CBA MVP at the end of the season and Goudelock had been averaging 22.1 points and 47.4 percent shooting with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
I’m not saying they’ll be our saviors but is one component of what needed to be fixed — our bench.
The bench production was nowhere near where it was last season and these guys are going to be primed up to give us a shot in the arm.
Beasley will be ready to tonight as the deal is now official but, at of the time of this writing,the Rockets are still waiting on a Letter of Clearance from the FIBAfor Goudelock in addition to him being in Atlanta for the birth of his second child.
He’ll eventually join up with the team on their five-game road trip that starts tonight and ends next Saturday.
We’ll have to see but the Bulls will be getting back their biggest gun inJimmy Butlerand now his match up withJames Hardenimmediately elevates to the one to see.
Let’s hope the Rockets don’t embarrass themselves on national television — I have a good feeling they won’t.
So who’s leading the charge for the Bulls?
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Jimmy Butleris the leading scorer (22.4 PPG) and steals king (1.70 SPG).Derrick Roseis the lead assist man (6.6 APG).Pau Gasolis the team’s top board-getter (10.9 RPG) and shot-blocker (1.90 BPG).
Let’s talk about what the Bulls do well.
They take care of the basketball.The Bulls are tied for 7th in the league — with the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors — in turnover ratio, with only 12.4 percent of their possessions ending with a turnover.
They’re quite solid with their defense.The Bulls are ranked 11th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing 102.4 points per 100 possessions.
They like the basketball in their hands.The Bulls are tied for 10th in the league — along with the Atlanta Hawks — as far as PACE Factor, averaging 98.9 possessions per game.
Injuries:
I swearTerrence Joneshas the worst luck with staying on the court! He will beOUTtonightwith an illness and his status is, of course, day-to-day.
Taj Gibsonhas been dealing with a right hamstring injuryfor the past couple of games and has missed some time as a result. His status isQUESTIONABLEfor tonight.
Nikola Mirotichad appendectomy surgery done and is still several weeksfrom a return back to the lineup. He will beOUTfor tonight.
Sources: Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune and Nick Friedell of ESPN.com.
Three Things to Watch:
- Patrick Beverleyvs.Derrick Rose
- James Hardenvs.Jimmy Butler
- Dwight Howardvs.Pau Gasol
Prediction:
103-98in aRockets’win!
The Rockets hit the road to take on theBullsatToyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for7:30 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised onABCand broadcast onSportsTalk 790 AM (KBME)andLa Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!
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