Houston Rockets At Portland Trail Blazers: Game 75: Sneak Peek Analysis
Let’s forget about last night’s match up Houston Rockets fans.
Let’s forget about last night’s match up Houston Rockets fans.
The Golden State Warriors are the best team in the league for a reason — they have a system with the right players and they adhere to it to a tee.
We continued to be punished for our mistakes with the Warriors unrelenting defense and three-point barrages.
Although they made headway after the 1st half, they never could get over the hump.
They’ll have another opportunity this Friday but it won’t be easy in their building but we beat them at their house earlier in the season.
But that was when the Warriors were getting their chemistry together but it’s firing on all cylinders now.
The Rockets will take on the 36-38 Portland Trail Blazers, who are fighting their way back in for playoff berth, currently holding the 8th — and final — spot in the West.
This should be formidable match up the Rockets should win but we’ll see.
So what’s next?
So who’s leading the charge for the Trail Blazers?
Damian Lillard leads the team in scoring (26.7 PPG) and dimes (5.8 APG). Mason Plumlee leads in rebounds (8.0 RPG) and is the top shot-blocker (1.2 BPG). Maurice Harkless holds the torch in steals (1.1 SPG).
Let’s talk about what the Trail Blazers do well.
They have a functional, effective offense. The Blazers are ranked 12th in offensive efficiency, scoring 107.7points per 100 possessions.
They’re a decent shooting team too. The Blazers are ranked 11th in effective field goal percentage (52.1) and 11th — tied with the Utah Jazz — in true shooting percentage (56.0).
They’re a solid defensive rebounding team. The Blazers are tied for 10th — with the Orlando Magic — in defensive rebound rate (77.1)
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Injuries:
Ryan Anderson sprained his right ankle after getting tangled up with DeMarcus Cousins Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. There currently is no timetable for his return but I suspect they’re going to take their time because of the immense amount of depth we have on the roster. We’ll miss his three-point shooting that he contributes but as this team has done all season, they find a way to persevere. He’ll be out for the next two weeks as he nurses his ankle back to full recovery.
James Harden has been battling a left wrist injury that has been lingering since March 20th. He has played through it and has reiterated that he’ll continue to do so. I personally would like for him to see him rest to allow that soreness to heal but I understand and admire his competitiveness. However, there comes a time where his injury could be detrimental to his production and the team so here’s to hoping it doesn’t get to that point.
Montrezl Harrell had to leave the team yesterday to attend the birth of his son. He has been deemed a game-time decision for tonight and it’s unclear that he’ll re-join the team on this three-game road trip. My best guess would be no, considering his diminished role in the rotation and the Rockets securing the No. 3 seed in the West.
As for the Blazers, other than Festus Ezeli and Ed Davis being done for the season, there are no other injuries to report.
Source(s): Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com, Mark Berman of FOX26 (KRIV) and CBS Sports
Matchups to Watch:
Prediction:
115-105 in a Houston Rockets’ win!
The Rockets have hit the road to take on the Blazers at Moda Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CDT.
The game will be televised on TNT and broadcast on NewsRadio 740 AM (KTRH), Sirius/XM/SiriusXM Internet 890 and La Ranchera 101.7 FM (KNTE) & 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!