Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder: Game 11: Sneak Peek Analysis
Here we are Houston Rockets fans. The showdown that we’ve all been waiting for is on the horizon.
Here we are Houston Rockets fans. The showdown that we’ve all been waiting for is on the horizon:
James Harden vs. Russell Westbrook
I have to admit — I get giddy every time I hear the sound of that match up as it’s going to be a blood bath and off to the races to see which of these is the greatest.
Yes, two MVP-like candidates that are having monstrous seasons will be going at it as if were going out of style.
And we’re going to love every minute of it.
These two guys have taken on similar roles as their big man counterparts — Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant — went to seek out finer pastures, whatever their motives may be.
Money? A ring?
We know the latter was the motivation for both to leave with today’s NBA swimming in high cash flows.
These two teams are extremely similar in what they do to win games so this will be ultimate to see whose system is more dominant — Mike D’Antoni‘s or Billy Donovan‘s?
We’ll have to see and I expect the Rockets to squeak this one out for a win.
I’m just floored that this game isn’t featured on ESPN’s Wednesday night lineup but the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors match up will be a nice watch though in prime-time.
So who’s leading the charge for the Thunder?
Not surprisingly, Russell Westbrook leads the team in points (32.0 PPG), rebounds (9.7 RPG) and assists (9.9 APG). Steven Adams is in charge of the steals (1.7 SPG) and Jerami Grant is the top shot-blocker (1.3 BPG).
Let’s talk about what the Thunder do well.
They’re defensively stout. The Thunder are now ranked 7th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing just 100.5 points per 100 possessions. This is up from 12th in 2015-16 where they giving 103.0 per 100.
They’re still good at crashing the boards. The Thunder are 4th in the NBA — tied with the Rockets — as far as rebound rate, taking down 52.6 percent of their missed shots. This is slightly down from 1st in the NBA in 2015-16 when they took down 54.7 percent of their missed shots.
Next: James Harden: New Position, Mindset, A Breath Of Fresh Air
Injuries:
Patrick Beverley had successful surgery Oct. 25 — 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 targeting to return back the hardwood between Nov. 15 and Nov. 21. He’s back at practice so he’s looking to make his season debut either Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder or Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s likely that he’ll suit up tomorrow night against the Blazers but we’ll see.
No injuries to report for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Source(s): Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle
Three Things to Watch:
- James Harden vs. Russell Westbrook
- Trevor Ariza vs. Victor Oladipo
- Clint Capela vs. Steven Adams
- Ryan Anderson vs. Domantas Sabonis
Prediction:
106-101 in a Houston Rockets’ win!
The Rockets hit the road to take on the Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
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), Sirius/XM/SiriusXM Internet 890 and La Ranchera 101.7 FM (KNTE) & 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!