Houston Rockets Game 74 of 2015-16 Season vs Pacers

Houston Rockets Game 74 of 2015-16 saw the squad tipping off versus the Indiana Pacers.

Mar 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during a free throw in the game against the Houston Rockets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Houston Rockets by the score of 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 74 of 2015-16 versus the Indiana Pacers.

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.

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 74 – Indiana Pacers.

Pregame Analysis:

Anthony Nyugen provided the game day break down noting:

With both ball clubs fighting for their playoff lives, the Houston Rockets will visit Indiana in hopes of riding the waves of momentum after an impressive home victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The Pacers on the other hand will look to bounce back from last night’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Nyugen’s full analysis is available via this link.

Post Game Analysis:

Andre Cantalogo was uninspired by the Rockets lack of effort early noting:

With both teams desperately needing the win to remain well placed in the playoff race, the match at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse was a good one with the home team keeping the Houston Rockets in the backseat of the game for a long time.

While the Rockets insisted on firing three points shots that weren’t falling (laughable 11% at the half, 2-for-18) the Pacers took advantage of offensive rebounds and from a great percentage of their own three point shots.

Houston gave a valiant effort relying on defense and a couple bench players in the third and fourth quarter but ultimately paid the price for their poor first half and ended up losing.

Cantalogo’s full post game and player grades is available via this link.

Stat Leaders:

James Harden posted 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists while Paul George scored 25 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assist.

NBA.com provides full box score which can be viewed via this link.

Rockets Games vs Pacers in 2016-17

January 29th in Indiana at the Fieldhouse
February 27th at home

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Indiana was one of the more active teams this summer starting with a changing of the guard behind the bench. Veteran coach Nate McMillan will take over from Frank Vogel, an odd decision given Larry Bird wants to run a more up tempo offense. To that end, Bird did add relevant free agents, but the team lost defensive specialists. Suffice to say the question is will the Pacers offensive gains be over shadowed by their defensive regressions.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: N/A 

Round 2: Georges Niang (50) Nets trade Thaddeus Young to Indy for rights to Caris LeVert, the 20th pick, and future second-round draft pick.

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

Thaddeus Young (traded from Nets)
Jeff Teague (traded from Hawks)
Al Jefferson 3-years, $30M exits Hornets
Jeremy Evans (trade from Dallas)
Aaron Brooks to a 1-year, $2.5M deal exits Bulls

Exiting Free Agents/traded:

Solomon Hill 4-years, $52M to Pelicans
George Hill (traded to Jazz)
Ian Mahinmi 4-years, $64M to Wizards
Jordan Hill exits for T-Wolves to sign a 2-year $8M
Ty Lawson exits for Kings

Next: Game 73

Next up Game 75 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers