Houston Rockets Game Day: Here come the youthful Sixers

Nov 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) waits to enter the game against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets had an up and down week and look to get back on track versus the youthful talented 76ers.

Following a 2-1 record last week the Houston Rockets look to get back in the win column facing the youngest squad in the league – the Philadelphia 76ers. Overall, the Rockets did well to come out of a tough 5-game road trip with a 3-2 record. Houston’s two losses came against two of the top three Eastern teams. Red Nation even managed to win on San Antonio’s court, but they lost the back end of the home and home series. As noted in the last game day it’s not uncommon for squads to have a let down on their first game back from a lengthy road trip, particularly early in the season.

Of note, there is good news coming from the Houston camp as Patrick Beverley who has missed the entirety of the regular season expects to return some time this week. PBev’s presence should offer the opportunity for an uptick on the defensive end of the court. Though he won’t be in the line-up this evening, hopes are he’ll suit up for one of the 3 remaining games this week.

Philadelphia won their first game of the season last week in overtime against the Pacers. That win represented the first time Philly has won a game in October or November sine the 2013 season. Despite their overall poor record of 1-8 the Rockets cannot afford to take this young roster for granted. They lost by a single point to the Cavaliers and have given a few upper echelon squads a run for their money.

With that, SCS offers up the Game Day Countdown:

Next: Off Season Sixers Moves

Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards 125-119. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Picks

Round 1: Ben Simmons (1), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (24), Furkan Korkmaz (26)

Round 2: N/A

2016 Free Agents

Unrestricted: Elton Brand, Ish Smith

Restricted: Isaiah Canaan, Hollis Thompson

Incoming:

Jerryd Bayless 3-years, $27M exits Bucks
Sergio Rodriguez via a 1-year $2.9M
Gerald Henderson 2-year, $18M exits Portland
Dario Saric has signed a 4-year rookie scale contract with the club.
Sasha Kaun (traded from Cavaliers)

Exiting:

Isaiah Canaan exits for Bulls

Re-upping:

Hollis Thompson (76ers exercised option)

Waived:

Carl Landry

Next: Starting Line-ups

Nov 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) advances the ball upcourt against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-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: Corey Brewer – 2016 SCS Brewer preview

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

76ers Starting 5:

Point Guard: Sergio Rodriguez – 9.2 points, 7.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds (stats from this season)

Shooting Guard: Gerald Henderson – 8.7 points, 1 assists, 2.9 rebounds

Small Forward: Robert Covington – 12.8 points, 1.4 assists, 6.3 rebounds

Power Forward: Dario Saric – 11.7 points, 1.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds (European 2015-16 stats)

Center: Joel Embiid – 11.2 points, 1.4 assists, 8.1 rebounds (NCAA Kansas 2013-14 stats)

Stats vary from last season, Kansas for Embiid, European League for Saric and this season for Rodriguez)

Next: The Benches

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets Bench:

Guards:

Eric Gordon – 15.2 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds Media Day
Tyler Ennis – 2016 Ennis preview
Bobby Brown – Rockets announce 15 man roster

Wings:

Bigs:

Reserves:

Guards: T.J. McConnell, Jerryd Bayless (rehabbing in D-League)

Wings: Ben Simmons (injured), Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawa-Cabarrot, Hollis Thompson

Bigs: Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, *Ersan Ilyasova, Richaun Holmes,

*note Jerami Grant traded for Ersan Ilyasova

Next: Game Particulars

Nov 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) dribbles up court against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-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. ESPN reported Beverley expects to return this week, but won’t play this evening.

Philadelphia 76ers:

Ben Simmons – foot (Jones Fracture), targeting January
Nerlens Noel – knee, had surgery and is targeting late November
Jerryd Bayless – wrist, is rehabbing and practicing with Philly’s D-League team and targeting late November return to varsity squad.
Joel Embiid sat out Saturday for rest, but is scheduled to play in Houston

Venue:

Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Radio and Television Providers:

In Houston and Area: Root Sports

Worldwide: NBA League Pass

Radio: 790 AM

Game Time: 7:00 PM CT and 8:00 PM EST

Next: Keys to the win

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) takes a break during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Game plan for Embiid: the youngster has reminded everyone why he was such a highly sought draft prospect with his early performance. Not only is he capable and dare I say Hakeem like in the paint (or at least he reckons images of the Dream in brief moments), he’s also adept at hitting from deep. Embiid is shooting a gaudy 58.3% from the perimeter on the season. And, that’s not him jacking up one or two attempts. He’s connected on 7 of his 12 attempts.

Suffice to say, Clint Capela has his work cut out for him tonight and D’Antoni will likely have to send a number of individuals at the big man to slow him down.

Don’t let turnovers control the game: This is a young, athletic, lengthy squad, so Houston can’t afford to turn over the ball or the 76ers will streak down the floor in transition for easy buckets. Harden specifically needs to be protect the rock as Philly will be on him looking to force multiple turnovers.

More from Space City Scoop

Play the team, not the record: This squad almost beat the world champions, so taking them for granted would be like playing with fire. D’Antoni needs to remind the team of opening night when they lost to the Lakers. The best plan would be to attack the Sixers early and not give them any confidence. Ideally Harden should push the pace and build a double digit lead to take the youngsters out of it early.

For more details on the squads check out the 2016-17 team previews:

Next: Houston Rockets 2016-17 Team Preview

Next: Philadelphia 76ers 2016-17 Team Preview

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