Houston Rockets Game 12 of 2015-16 Season vs Trail Blazers

Houston Rockets Game 12 of 2015-16 had the team tipping off with a new head coach following the firing of Kevin McHale.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 12 of 2015-16 versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nov 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach J.B. Bickerstaff signals to his players against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Toyota Center. The Rockets won in overtime 108-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Therefore Houston hopes their free agent additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for October 26th opening night versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 12 – Portland Trail Blazers

Pregame Analysis:

Prior to this game Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale was fired. It was a shock for many in the Association because McHale coached the injury riddled Rockets to the Western Conference Finals one year prior. Consequently for McHale To be released 11 games in seemed to be a knee-jerk reaction. Assistant J.B. Bickerstaff was named interim coach and the team attempted to pick up the pieces and get back to business.

First up was a meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers which the Houston Rockets inevitably won, but it took overtime to get the job done.

Anthony Nguyen provides the full pregame analysis article which can be viewed via this link.

Post Game Analysis:

To quote Andre Cantalogo’s post game review:

This is nothing new as it’s like pulling teeth to get any effort or energy from this season’s Rockets. It’s become painful to watch. Listen, if you caught the beginning of the game, it was bad. If you didn’t see it, you didn’t miss much. Both teams couldn’t find any rhythm and were clearly struggling through the first quarters. The difference: One of them is in a rebuilding process, the other was supposed to be competing for the championship.

Despite that, the Blazers took advantage of Houston’s recent instability and opened up a 17 point lead in the third quarter. But then something amazing happened. Fueled by Corey Brewer and an inexplicably intense James Harden the Rockets managed to cut the lead and get into overtime.

Once in overtime James Harden just turned it up a notch and took the game over.

To view all Andre’s grades visit this link for full post game report and player grades.

To review all players stats check out the ESPN box score via this link.

Stat Leaders:

Perhaps the most telling moment in the game came following Brewer’s game tying shot which forced overtime. Immediately afterward Harden jumped on Brewer’s back who seemed annoyed with ‘The Beard’.

James Harden had a monster game with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals. While Lillard led the way for the Blazers scoring 23 points.

Rockets Games vs Trail Blazers in 2016-17

November 17th at home
November 27th in Portland at Moda Center
March 30th in Portland at Moda Center

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Following a season where Portland lost 4 starters the Trail Blazers shocked everyone by winning in spite of that set back. This summer they locked in CJ McCollum and brought back key contributors while adding core components to weak areas of the roster. Kevin Durant’s signing with Golden State gave way to Festus Ezeli being freed up and the Trail Blazers in dire need of a front court protector snatched him up.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: N/A

Round 2: Jake Layman (47)

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

Evan Turner

4-year, $70M exits Celtics