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Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks: Game 2: The Sneak Peek

By Brian K. Patterson

Apr 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) in action in the post against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) in action in the post against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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What we witnessed about the Houston Rockets on national television Wednesday was nothing short of embarrassing.  We witnessed the WORST finish in an opener in years and my concerns about this team’s defensive prowess is evident.

The Houston Rockets effervescent, turbo-charged offense is certainly one to behold and to watch.

This team continues to excite as the exhibition continues of Mike D’Antoni‘s latest concoction of assembling the best FIVE men out there on the hardwood.

But it’s defense that’s concerns me — I’m willing to understand that we won’t be an elite defensive team but those guys need to look like they give a damn about when they step on the floor!

If we expect to win a significant amount of games this season, this will be something the Houston Rockets will have to commit to.

There’s no excuses — it’s gotta be done or this team will be on the outside looking in.

And we ALL know that’s no fun.

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The Houston Rockets will take on the Dallas Mavericks tonight in their friendly confines and let’s hope this team has been working on what led to their demise this past Wednesday in Los Angeles.

We will also be facing a high-scoring team — I see a shootout — but this team must do all they can to defend their fellow man.

So who’s leading the charge for the Mavericks?

Deron Williams and Dirk Nowitzki will continue to be the primary scorers for this team — each had 25 and 22 points respectively in their 130-121 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on the road.

Newly-acquired free agent Harrison Barnes could be the leader in rebounding along with additional acquisition in Andrew Bogut as well as Nowitzki for this team.  Barnes had nine rebounds Wednesday while Nowitzki had eight and Bogut threw in six.

Williams will be the ultimate facilitator as long as he stays healthy.  He averaged 5.8 dimes in 2015-16 and had seven against the Pacers which is right on track.

Wesley Matthews is their steals king and there won’t be anybody on that roster to refute that title.  He had three steals in their season opener and averaged 1.0 steals per game last season.

Salah Mejri was the blocks leader (1.1 BPG) last season but has yet to play a game because of off season surgery on his right knee.  The Mavs will likely turn to budding prospect Dwight Powell, whom the team acquired in trade with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2014 NBA Draft.  He recorded one block Wednesday so depending on Mejri’s health, we’ll see if Powell comes out on top this year.

Let’s talk about what the Mavericks do well.

They’ll be efficient shooters.  The Mavericks were 13th in the league in effective field goal percentage, shooting 50.2 percent as a team.  They’re currently holding at 51.2 percent after just one game which likely means that they’re right on track for this season as well.  That’s good for 11th in the league.

They’ll take care of the basketball.  The Mavs are ranked 12th in the league in turnover ratio with 11.8 percent of their possessions ending in a turnover.  They ended the season ranked 2nd at 12.0 percent so I see this trend continuing with the bunch they have.

Next: Was Bobby Brown The Right Choice?

Injuries:

Patrick Beverley had successful surgery Tuesday — it was a minor knee scope to clean up some the damage that had occurred from his injury.  He will be OUT tonight and is expected to be MIA for at least three weeks.

Devin Harris re-injured his woeful left foot in the Mavs’ last preseason game this past Friday.  He was a scratch in their opener Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.

Source(s):  Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com and Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

Three Things to Watch:

  1. James Harden vs. Wesley Matthews
  2. Eric Gordon vs. Deron Williams
  3. Trevor Ariza vs. Harrison Barnes
  4. (Bonus)  Clint Capela vs. Andrew Bogut

Prediction:

105-99 in a Houston Rockets’ win!

The Rockets are still on the road to take on the Mavs at American Airlines Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CDT.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME), Sirius/XM/SiriusXM Internet 890 and La Ranchera 101.7 FM (KNTE) & 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets!

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