Houston Rockets Game 54 of 2015-16 Season – vs Warriors

Houston Rockets Game 54 of 2015-16 featured yet another loss to the Golden State Warriors.

February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) and guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 54 of 2015-16 versus the Golden State Warriors.

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.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th 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 54 – Golden State Warriors

In the third and final meeting between Houston and Golden State the Warriors beat the Rockets sweeping the season series.

Pregame Analysis:

If you were to pick two teams at completely opposite ends of the performance spectrum it would be the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. While the Houston Rockets remain in play-off picture they are a far cry from the team who made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season. In fact it’s taken everything in their power to hold onto their seventh playoff seeding and that’s with the ninth highest salary in the Association.

Conversely their opponent this evening has only got better which is a mind boggling statement given they are the current NBA Champions. They are on pace to break the best season recorded by Michael Jordan’s Bulls actually ahead of that pace with 46 wins and just 4 losses and have yet to lose a game at home (23-0).

Dissecting the two teams’ rosters reveals similar talent, depth and payrolls, but the vast gap between where last season’s Western Conference Finalists are is night and day. Last season’s MVP Stephen Curry remains atop that very list and is the odds on bet to repeat this season. He’s joined by triple-double machine (and also dramatically improved) teammate Draymond Green.

Full pregame analysis here.

Post Game Analysis:

Andre Cantalogo provided the post game review and player grades.

Controversy started early, in fact before the game even started with Kevin McHale publicly speaking for the first time since being fired by the Rockets. McHale was quoted stating James Harden came to preseason camp overweight (due to an ankle injury) and that he was very surprised by his firing.

The game started as one would expect it: Stephen Curry knocked down a bunch of threes early with the Rockets offering little to no resistance. The Warriors maintained a safe 10-16 point advantage until midway second quarter when the Rockets started their run.

The second half was hugely entertaining with both teams trading baskets and the Rockets playing defense with an unseen intensity so far this season.

In the end, oddly enough Harrison Barnes came to the rescue (I know, tough, right?) and scored 17 of his 19 points in the fourth to settle the deal in Warriors favor. It was nevertheless an encouraging and spirited defeat for Houston.

Stat Leaders:

NBA.com box score

Rockets Games vs Warriors in 2016-17

Houston Rockets play the Golden State Warriors  4 times this season:

• December 1st in Oakland at Oracle Arena
• January 20th at home
• March 28th at home
• March 31st in Oakland at Oracle Arena

Draft Picks and Free Agents

The most coveted free agent of the summer was Kevin Durant. His choice to leave the Thunder to form a super team in Oakland sent shock waves through the Association. This move led to massive changes on the Warriors as several roster moves had to be made to solidify the deal. Notably 6 players left Oakland, 5 via free agency and 1 via a trade:

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Damian Jones (30)

Round 2: Patrick McCaw (38)

Incoming Free Agents:

• Kevin Durant 2-years $54.3M with opt out in second year
• Zaza Pachulia 1-year $2.9M to Warriors
• David West veteran minimum contract of 1 year at $1.3M
• JaVale McGee will attend Warriors training camp under a ‘make good’ 15 day contract

Exiting Free Agents:

Andrew Bogut

(trade to Dallas)

More from Space City Scoop

• Rockets: Time to return the slander towards Rachel Nichols
• What the Rockets must do with the second overall pick
• Houston Rockets: The case for, and against, trading Christian Wood
• NBA Rumors: Why the Houston Rockets shouldn’t trade up to no. 1 in NBA Draft
• 3 players that would be a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets at 23 or 24

Re-upping:

• Ian Clark on a 1 year contract (no financial terms available)
• James Michael McAdoo changed direction (no qualifying offer orginally extended) with 1-year minimum deal
• Anderson Varejao

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus.  Specifically, the first area  is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will  make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application.