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Houston Rockets Game Day: Harden and Beverley Slated to Go vs. Nets

By Tamberlyn Richardson

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 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:

Latest Results Rockets:

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