Houston Rockets At Miami Heat: Game 44: Sneak Peek Analysis
The Houston Rockets, for the first time in a month, will likely have Clint Capela back in the lineup tonight.
The Houston Rockets, for the first time in a month, will likely have Clint Capela back in the lineup tonight.
This will mean everything to the Rockets’ inside-out presence and I’m sure it will help with their dominant force in the paint in Hassan Whiteside.
Life has been cruel for the 11-30 Miami Heat with the departure of Dwyane Wade but it must go on with the five guys they have on the floor.
So who’s leading the charge for the Heat?
Goran Dragic leads the team in scoring (19.0 PPG) and is the top assist man (6.4 APG). Hassan Whiteside is the top board-getter (14.3 RPG) and shot-blocker (2.2 BPG). Justise Winslow holds the torch in steals (1.4 SPG).
Let’s talk about what the Heat do well.
They don’t make too many mistakes with the basketball. The Heat are 10th in turnover ratio, with 12.2 percent of their possessions ending in a turnover.
They’re decent with their defense. The Heat are ranked 13th in the NBA in terms of defensive efficiency, allowing 105 points per 100 possessions.
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Injuries:
Clint Capela collided into Karl-Anthony Towns Dec. 17th against the T-Wolves. He seemed to be in tremendous pain and could not walk on his own power to locker room.
It’s apparent that he has a minor fracture of his fibula and is expected to be out at least four weeks. Nene will have some big shoes to fill as Capela heals but the Rockets can press on without him.
Capela traveled with the team on this road trip and his first full practice with the team went well yesterday. It was pain-free so this will likely mean that he’ll be in the lineup tonight.
No word yet on if he’ll be on a minutes-restriction.
Josh Richardson will be OUT and he is expected to miss two weeks with a foot injury. Dion Waiters would be likely candidate to step into his place as the team has a plethora of guards.
Source(s): Houston Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com
Matchups to Watch:
- Patrick Beverley vs. Goran Dragic
- James Harden vs. Dion Waiters
- Clint Capela/Nene Hilario/Montrezl Harrell vs. Hassan Whiteside
- Trevor Ariza vs. Justise Winslow
Prediction:
114-104 in a Houston Rockets’ win!
The Rockets are on the road to take on the Heat at American Airlines Arena.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest/NBA TV 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!