The Houston Rockets will undergo one of their biggest bloodbaths of the season.
The Houston Rockets will undergo one of their biggest bloodbaths of the season.
There’s no doubt they’ll be ready to take on a healthy rival, the 36-6 Golden State Warriors, owners of the league’s best record.
What’s up next?
So who’s leading the charge for the Warriors?
Kevin Durantleads the team in scoring (26.2 PPG) and is the top shot-blocker (1.7 BPG).Draymond Greenis the top assist man (7.7 APG),the top board-getter (8.7 RPG)andholds the torch in steals (2.0 SPG).
Let’s talk about what the Warriors do well.
They continue to have an excellent, well-balanced attack.The Warriors are ranked1stin offensive efficiency (averaging 113.4 points per 100 possessions) and1stin defensive efficiency (allowing 101.1 points per 100 possessions).
They’re still the best at moving the ball around efficiently.The Warriors are1st in the NBA in assist ratio, with 21.8 percent of their possessions ending with an assist.
They’re also the best shooters in the league.The Warriors are ranked1st in effective field goal percentage (56.8) and true shooting percentage (60.3).
They love to have the ball in their hands.The Warriors are ranked2nd in PACE Factor,averaging 103.1 possessions per game.
They crash the boards with precision.The Warriors are ranked6th in rebound rate,with51.2 percent of their possessions ending with a rebound.
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Injuries:
Clint Capelacollided intoKarl-Anthony TownsDec. 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.Nenewill have some big shoes to fill as Capela heals but the Rockets can press on without him.
Capela traveled with the team on this past road trip and his first full practicewith the team went well Monday. It was pain-free so he did start in Tuesday’s game against Heat.
Capela is still on somewhat of a minutes-restriction but it remains to be seen if that will be the case tonight, he came off the bench Wednesday night withMontrezl HarrellandCorey Brewerbeing inserted into the lineup.
He had five points, three rebounds and two blocks rounding things out to 11 blocks on the season, a high for him.
Ryan Andersonhas been battling the flu the past few days but it was finally to a point to where he couldn’t suit up the past few games. His status, of course, is day-to-day and I’d likely deem him PROBABLE for tonight.
David Westsuffered a fractured thumb in Wednesday game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, his timetable for return is yet to determined. Expect Kevin Looney to step in place of West while he’s out.
Source(s): Houston Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com, CSNBayArea.com
Matchups to Watch:
- Trevor Arizavs.Kevin Durant
- Ryan Anderson?/Montrezl Harrellvs.Draymond Green
- Patrick Beverleyvs.Stephen Curry
- James Hardenvs.Klay Thompson
- Clint Capela/Nene Hilariovs.Zaza Pachulia
Prediction:
114-110in aHouston Rockets’loss.
The Rockets are back at home to take on theWarriorsatToyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for7 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised onROOT Sports Southwest/ESPNand broadcast onSportsTalk 790 AM (KBME), Sirius 207, XM/SiriusXM 86 (Internet 890)andLa Ranchera 101.7 FM (KNTE) & 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!
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