Game Day: Houston Rockets begin 5-game road trip in Cleveland
By Tamberlyn Richardson
Mar 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) blocks and steals the ball from Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Rockets launch a 5-game road trip in Cleveland facing the Championship Cavaliers.
Entering the second week of the 2016-17 season the Houston Rockets boast a 2-1 record. Although an extremely small sample size the 3 games offers insight into areas the Rockets must improve especially with an extended road trip.
As the old saying goes, you can’t win a championship in November, but success during this period can help your positioning in April. Furthermore building consistent habits early is more favorable.
A look at the league rankings shows Houston has work to do defensively where they rank 22nd. The potent offense that was on display in preseason hasn’t completely translated in the regular season, though the Rockets rank a respectable 8th. Most pundits reserve judgement until the 20 game mark, however it does give teams benchmarks to measure objectives against.
Facing the still unbeaten champs will offer a true litmus test for the Rockets as they’ll be pushed on both ends of the court. Cleveland rank 2nd defensively and 10th offensively.
Houston’s work is definitely cut out for them, but stealing a win in Cleveland is exactly what the Rockets hope to do as they begin their extended road trip.
With that, SCS offers the Game Day Countdown
Next: Cavaliers Off Season Moves
Oct 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A fan holds a sign of J.R. Smith before the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Picks
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Kay Felder (54)
Free Agents:
Incoming:
- Chris Andersen 1 year veteran minimum deal
- Mike Dunleavy traded from Bulls to make room for Wade signing
Exiting:
- Timofey Mozgov 4-years $64M with Lakers
- Joe Harris who leaves for Nets on a 2-year deal
- Matthew Dellavedova 4-year, $38.5M Bucks offer (Cavs didn’t match)
- Sasha Kaun to the 76ers in trade
Re-upping:
- LeBron James signs 3-year $100M deal
- James Jones signs 1-year $1.5M deal
- Jordan McRae (Cavs exercised option)
- Mo Williams Exorcised Option
- Richard Jefferson 2-years, $5M
- J.R. Smith 4-year $57M deal
Next: Starting Line-Ups
Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a basket in the second half against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 117-88. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets Starting 5:
(stats from 2015-16)
Point Guard: James Harden – 29 points, 7.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 2016 SCS Harden preview
Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon – 15.2 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds Media Day
Small Forward: Trevor Ariza – 12.7 points, 2.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2016 SCS Ariza preview
Power Forward: Ryan Anderson – 17.0 points 1.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds Anderson Media Day
Center: Clint Capela – 7.0 points, 0.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 2016 SCS Capela preview
Cleveland Cavaliers Starting 5:
Point Guard: Kyrie Irving -19.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds
Shooting Guard: JR Smith -12.4 points, 1.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds
Small Forward: LeBron James – 25.3 points, 6.8 assists, 7.4 rebounds
Power Forward: Kevin Love – 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Center: Tristan Thompson – 7.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Next: The Benches
Mar 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives on Houston Rockets guard K.J. McDaniels (32) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets Bench:
Guards:
Wings:
- Corey Brewer – 2016 SCS Brewer preview
- Sam Dekker – 2016 SCS Dekker preview
- Kyle Wiltjer – Get to know more about Wiltjer
Bigs:
- Nene Hilario – 2016 SCS Nene Preview
- Montrezl Harrell – 2016 SCS Harrell Preview
- Chinanu Onuaku – Analyzing the Rockets 37th pick
Cleveland Cavaliers Bench:
Guards: Iman Shumpert, *Kay Felder, Jordan McRae
Wings: Mike Dunleavy, Richard Jefferson, DeAndre Liggins, James Jones
Bigs: Chris Andersen, *Channing Frye
Next: Game Particulars
Mar 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Walking Wounded:
Houston Rockets:
- Patrick Beverley – rotoworld reports Beverley is ahead of schedule following the knee scope and anticipates a mid November return.
- James Harden is listed as probable after tweaking his ankle versus the Mavericks in the home opener.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Kay Felder has been removed from the injury list following his time spent on the concussion protocol program.
- Channing Frye is listed as out indefinitely dealing with personal issues, however he tweaked something during the Raptors game which may also be a factor.
Injury reports as per rotoworld
Venue:
Tuesday November 1st at at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH, 6PM EST/ 5PM CT
NOTE: DUE TO THE WORLD SERIES THE GAME WILL BEGIN AN HOUR EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED.
Radio and Television Providers:
In Houston and Area: Root Sports
Nationwide: NBA TV
Worldwide: NBA League Pass
Radio: 790 AM
Game Time: 5:00 PM CT and 6:00 PM EST
Next: Three Keys
Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Cavaliers won 91-77. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Keys For Rockets:
Focus on defense: The Cavaliers are not a team the Rockets can take for granted by napping even for one quarter. With Harden probable, but playing on a sore ankle playing team defense over 48 minutes is crucial.
Capitalize on areas of strength: While the Cavaliers have Tristan Thompson there is a real advantage for the Rockets to take it to Cleveland in the paint. In spite of the Cavaliers second ranked defense they are susceptible at the rim. Furthermore Cleveland rank dead last for second chance points of which many can be gained in the paint on offensive rebounding.
Harden though hobbled may be able to gain real advantages via ball movement especially with consistent pressure on Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert who have shown weaknesses at trapping guards, transition and even man to man coverage.
Ultimately if the Rockets can get the ball and players moving it will present issues for the Cavs. Of Cleveland’s first 3 games the Raptors were the only team who came close and also held them under 100 points. Toronto mixed drives, pushed the ball in transition and mid range shots, but ultimately missed too many wide open shots which ultimately cost them the game.
Houston has the offensive fire power and versatility, but can they play 48 minutes of team defense?
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Bench Versatility: Again, Cleveland has depth, but there are areas where they can be bested specifically if their guards are pushed to defend throughout the full 48 and if Houston is active in the passing lanes.
Fortunately, Anderson’s missing defense may not be as much of an issue in this contest as he and Kevin Love may be a wash (slight edge to Love). But, it will be important for D’Antoni to utilize the teams top energy players and defenders to limit one of James, Irving and Love.
For that very reason expect to see ample minutes from K.J. McDaniels. Platooning Capela and Nene to get Thompson in early foul trouble would also be beneficial.
Remember the game begins an hour earlier due to the World Series so plan accordingly.
Team Previews:
Get a full breakdown of both teams via these links:
Next: Houston Rockets 2016-17 Preview
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers 2016-17 Preview
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