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Forecast: Rockets At Warriors NBA Playoffs: Game 2

By Brian K. Patterson

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a day off for rest and recuperation, the Houston Rockets are back in the fold to take on the Golden State Warriors tonight.

I can only hope to see an improved effort over the piss-poor one we saw this past Saturday.

I have to admit that last season’s contest against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals was a lot more competitive and we had to make them work for their advancement to the NBA Finals.

But my oh my have times changed…

There is still a possibility that our Rockets could get swept out the door like yesterday’s news.

If the Rockets continue to play they have been, it’s almost a certainty.

I still do believe that this team can beat their formidable opponent at least once this series but it’s going to have to take a concerted effort from the entire team, something that they’ve lacked for the entire season.

Let’s hope for the best tonight as the Rockets hopefully try to make things competitive.

So who’s leading the charge for the Warriors?

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Stephen Curry is the leading scorer (24 points in Game 1) and steals king (Three steals in Game 1).  Andre Iguodala is the assist man (Seven assists in Game 1).  Draymond Green is the team’s top board-getter (10 rebounds in Game 1) and the premier shot-blocker (Four blocks in Game 1).

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Injuries:

Stephen Curry injured his ankle late in the first half of Game 1 as he seemed to have landed on it wrong while actually being heavily-defended.  He made two trips to the locker room as was available to play in the 2nd half but wasn’t used as the Warriors definitely had the game in hand.  Curry didn’t practice yesterday and had treatment done on his ankle to try to prepare for today.  He is officially listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight but I expect to see him in the starting lineup with reduced minutes.

Shaun Livingston, Curry’s primary backup, left practice yesterday to tend to an illness.  I’m sure he’ll give it go as well and he’ll likely be ruled as QUESTIONABLE.

Kevon Looney has sustained a hip injury has been ruled OUT for tonight.

Sources: Mark Berman of FOX26 (KRIV), Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude of CSN Bay Area, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Golden State Warriors

Five Things to Watch:

  1. Who will start at forward opposite Trevor Ariza?
  2. Will James Harden find a way to score prolifically?
  3. How quickly will the Rockets respond to the Warriors’ rotations?
  4. Can the Rockets find a way to move the ball around to the open man quickly?
  5. How effective will Stephen Curry be?

Prediction:

110-100 in a Rockets’ loss.

The Rockets are on the road to take on the Warriors for Game 2 at Oracle Arena.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CDT.

The game will be televised on TNT and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME), Sirius/XM/SiriusXM Internet 890 and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets!

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