Houston Rockets Game Day: Harden and Beverley Slated to Go vs. Nets
By Tamberlyn Richardson
Houston Rockets Game Day: Harden and Beverley Slated to Go vs. Nets
Brooklyn Nets vs Houston Rockets: Toyota Center – Houston, TX Fri Feb 27, 8:00 PM EST – YES, CSNH, RTSW
Brooklyn Record: 23-32, Eastern (8), Atlantic (2) last 10: 5-5
Houston Record: 39-18, Western (3), Southwest (2) last 10: 6-4
Recent Matchups
Jan 13 HOU 113-99 BKN, Apr 2 HOU 96-105 BKN, Nov 30 BKN 95-114 HOU, Feb 23 HOU 106-96 BKN
Surprisingly James Harden continues to play through injuries that most players would be out of games for. I doubt many people thought he’d suit up for tonight’s game, but then again he’s played through a ton of injuries this season. While coach Kevin McHale said he would be a game time decision and held him out of practice on Thursday ESPN is reporting he will dress.
Joining him should be Patrick Beverley who has missed the past 2 games due to the flu.
Story Lines:
- James Harden remains the iron man for the Rockets as he is scheduled to play after twisting his ankle.
- Patrick Beverley is scheduled to return tonight after missing the past two games with the flu
- James Harden has shot an abysmal 8 of 24 versus the Clippers in those 2 meetings for a total of 25 points combined. That’s less than his per game scoring average.
- Terrence Jones continues to improve each game as he works his way back into game shape and develops better timing with his new reserve partners
- Nets have lost last 7 games in Houston
- Last time these two teams met it was the infamous head butt night. Kevin Garnett who is no longer a Net was tossed and Houston still had a healthy Dwight Howard in the line-up.
- It was well known the Nets were shopping their big contracts of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez but all 3 remain with the team
The Stats:
Offensive Rating:
Nets ranks 24th with 100.4 points per game
Houston ranks 13th with 103.5 points per game
Defensive Rating:
Nets ranks 22nd allowing 104.3 points per game
Houston rank 3rd allowing 99.7 points per game
Net Rating:
Nets ranks 23rd with a negative point differential of -3.9
Houston ranks 8th with a positive point differential of +3.8
Pace:
Nets ranks 24th scoring 94.42 possessions over 48 minutes
Houston ranks 3rd with 99.16 possessions over 48 minutes (since Howard’s injury the Rockets have quickened their pace)
Points Per Game:
Nets ranks 23rd
Houston ranks 6th
Rebounds Per Game:
Nets ranks 21st
Houston ranks 12th
Assists Per Game:
Nets ranks 22nd
Houston ranks 13th
Opposition Points Per game:
Nets ranks 14th
Houston: ranks 17th
Walking Wounded:
Nets:
- Bojan Bogdanovic will not play tonight due to an ankle injury
- Mirza Teletovic is out for season with clots on his lungs though they expect him to make a full recovery
Rockets:
- Although James Harden had been seen limping after the Clipper game ESPN says he’ll start tonight
- Kostas Papanikolaou remains sidelined due to an ankle sprain
- Patrick Beverley missed the last 2 games due to flu symtoms, but ESPN says he will start this evening
- Dwight Howard is listed as out indefinitely (however it’s projected to be a 6-8 weeks)
Nets Leaders:
- Joe Johnson 15.7 points per game
- Mason Plumlee 6.8 rebounds per game
- Deron Williams 6.4 assists per game
- Brook Lopez 1.7 blocks per game
- Jarrett Jack 1.1 steals per game
Rocket Leaders:
- James Harden 27.2 points per game
- Dwight Howard 11 rebounds per game
- James Harden 6.9 assists per game
- Terrence Jones 2.1 blocks per game
- James Harden 1.9 steals per game
Keys To Winning:
- Pace: utilize the pace differential to get out to an early lead and then rest Harden
- Keep turnovers down
- Don’t let Nets feel they are in it because once they get down they tend to stop competing
The Pick:
The odds makers have Houston favored to win by 7, can’t say I disagree
Line: HOU -7.0, O/U: 205.0
Latest Results Nets:
- February 26 BKN 96-102 NOP
- February 24 BKN 110-82 DEN
- February 21 BKN 114-105 LAL
- February 11 BKN 86-95 MEM
- February 10 BKN 97-103 MIL
Latest Results Rockets:
- February 26 LAC 105-110 HOU
- February 24 MIN 102-113 HOU
- February 22 TOR 76-98 HOU
- February 21 HOU 100-111 DAL
- February 12 HOU 95-110 LAC
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