Game Day: Houston Rockets finish back to back set vs Blazers

Feb 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) reacts to a call by referee Marc Davis (8) during the third quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Rockets won the game 119-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Following a tough loss the Houston Rockets get back to business at home versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

With the Houston Rockets returning home to finish the back end of their back-to-back set good news greets them at the Toyota Center. Making his regular season debut Patrick Beverley is expected to be in the starting line-up. This is significant news as it will offer Mike D’Antoni the first opportunity to play a full roster. Further, Beverley should allow H-Town to exert a better overall defensive effort to begin games.

It’s likely Beverley will be on a minutes restriction, but his presence even in limited minutes will change the complexion of games. Additionally, with D’Antoni having a full complement of players will allow him options in terms of his line-ups. Given Tyler Ennis had some decent outings watch to see if D’Antoni tries a reserve unit featuring Ennis paired with Eric Gordon who’ll finally be able to build some chemistry with the reserve unit.

Not to take anything away from the Thunder’s defense, but Houston put forth a rather lack luster effort in the fourth quarter last night. Hopefully, being at home with a healthy Beverley will inspire the Rockets to get back in the win column.

With that SCS offers up the Game Day Countdown:

Next: Blazers Offseason Moves

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) defends during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Picks

Round 1: N/A

Round 2: Jake Layman (47)

2016 Free Agents prior to July 1, 2016:

Restricted:

Allen Crabbe
Maurice Harkless
Meyers Leonard

Unrestricted:

Gerald Henderson
Chris Kaman
Brian Roberts

Moves made following July 1, 2016:

Incoming:

Evan Turner 4-year, $70M exits Celtics
Festus Ezeli on a 2-year $15M leaves Warriors

Exiting:

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.

Next: Starting Line-Ups

Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) look on against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets Starting 5:

As per Mike D’Antoni’s post practice comments on Tuesday he said Beverley would return tonight vs the Blazers and be in the starting line-up.

(stats from 2015-16)

Point Guard: James Harden – 29 points, 7.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 2016 SCS Harden preview

Shooting Guard: Patrick Beverley – 9.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds, Media Day Interview

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

Blazers Starting 5:

Point Guard: Damian Lillard – 25.1 points, 6.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds

Shooting Guard: CJ McCollum 20.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Small Forward: Maurice Harkless – 6.4 points, 0.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds

has been playing in place of injured Al Farouq Aminu

Power Forward: Myers Leonard – 8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Center: Mason Plumlee – 9.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists

Next: Bench Units

Nov 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) drives against Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) in the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-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:

Portland Trail Blazers Bench:

Guards: Shabazz Napier, Evan Turner

Wings: Allen Crabbe, Pat Connaughton, Tim Quarterman

Bigs: Festus Ezeli, Ed Davis, Noah Vonleh, Jake Layman

Next: Game Particulars

May 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) reacts after making a three point shot against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Walking Wounded:

Houston Rockets:

Patrick Beverley – rotoworld reports Beverley is ahead of schedule following the knee scope. As per above Mike D’Antoni said following practice Beverley will make his season debut tomorrow night versus the Blazers.

Blazers:

Ezeli continues to rehab the knee and has participated in limited practice sessions. Recent news states he is looking to get a second opinion on his surgically prepared knee.
Al-Farouq Aminu – calf, though Aminu is traveling with the Blazers he is expected to remain out until late December

All injury news as per rotoworld

Venue:

Toyota Center, Houston Texas

Radio and Television Providers:

In Houston and Area: Root Sports in Texas and CSNNWHD in Portland

Worldwide: NBA League Pass

Radio: 790 AM in Texas and Rip City Radio 620 in Portland

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

Next: Keys to the Win

Feb 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives past Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Limit Blazers backcourt: Damian Lillard is among those few stars who’ve been lighting it up offensively and sits among the 30 point club. and C.J. McCollum has been upping his game after a slower start. Both have the capacity to hit from distance or drive for easy lay-ups or kick-outs to open shooters. Suffice to say these 2 star talents require a detailed defensive scheme to contain them.

Attack the Blazers frontcourt: While Lillard and McCollum require their own defensive package the opposite is true of the frontcourt. This is the greatest issue for Terry Stotts without any reliable players to offer consistent production. The Rockets meanwhile have Capela, Nene, and a slew of reserves they can throw at Portland to take advantage of their depth in this area.

More from Space City Scoop

Capitalize on Rockets Depth: Sure the Rockets will be tired having played last night, but this is the perfect squad to take advantage of given Portland’s issues in this area. As per John Schuhmann’s power ranking this week:

Their bench has been shaky (they’ve been outscored by 18.2 points per 100 possessions with Evan Turner on the floor), but they’ve been the league’s second best fourth-quarter team, outscoring their opponents by 15.8 points per 100 possessions. Damian Lillard (8-for-18) and C.J. McCollum (9-for-17) have combined to shoot 17-for-35 (49 percent) in the fourth quarter and overtime.

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

Next: Portland Trail Blazers 2016-17 Team Preview

Next: Houston Rockets 2016-17 Team Preview

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