Houston Rockets Game 55 of 2015-16 Season vs Trail Blazers

Houston Rockets Game 55 of 2015-16  had the team tipping off versus the surprising Trail Blazers.

Feb 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is fouled by Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 55 of 2015-16 versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

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 55 – Portland Trail Blazers

Pregame Analysis:

The Rockets are coming into this contest fresh off a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Although the scoreboard indicates a blow out, Houston stayed competitive for the majority of the game behind a valiant team defensive effort and a 37 point outing from shooting guard James Harden.

Portland on the other has found a groove riding two game winning streak while winning eight out of their last ten. The improved play can be accredited to Portland’s attention to defense as they have held their last 10 opponents to an average point total of 97.6

This showdown between two ball clubs who possess the ability to explode offensively at any point of the game holds huge playoff indications as both are in a neck-to-neck battle for the final playoff spot.

Anthony Nguyen provides the full pregame analysis article

Post Game Analysis:

To quote Andre Cantalogo’s post game review:

From the beginning the Rockets and the Blazers provided fans with a very close contested game featuring two evenly matched teams. Oddly enough the game’s first quarter was noteworthy for the Rockets due to the fact that until Corey Brewer’s three at the buzzer, all 26 points had been scored by either Dwight Howard or James Harden.

The duo’s usage rate kept increasing as the game progressed and in fact they both ended up with good performances. The problem was that no one else on the Rockets team came even remotely close to having what we would consider a respectful game. While the Blazers had 6 players in double figures, the Rockets had 2.

In the end the Houston Rockets 20 plus turnovers and lack of defensive awareness was probably too much and the Oregon side earned the home win despite great performances by Houston’s star duo. The Rockets drop back under .500 again and are out of the playoff picture, something that will likely force GM Daryl Morey’s hand prior to next Thursday at 3 PM. (not that he wasn’t planning on making some changes prior to the loss).

Stat Leaders:

Cantalogo earmarked Harden and Lillard as the games top performers:

NBA.com Box Score

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:

4-year, $70M exits Celtics

More from Space City Scoop

• 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
• Houston Rockets: It’s official, Tilman Fertitta was wrong about Chris Paul

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• Gerald Henderson 2-year, $18M deal to 76ers
• Brian Roberts on a 1 year minimum contract to Charlotte

Re-upping:

• Re-signed forward Meyers Leonard to a reported four-year, $41 million deal
• Allen Crabbe 4-year, $75M  (Blazers reverses initial decision and matched Nets offer)
• C.J. McCollum a 4-year extension of $106M
• Maurice Harkless finally locked up his contract on a 4-year, $42M deal.

Unresolved:

• Chris Kaman

More Free Agent News

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