Houston Rockets attempt to Blaze another victory 11.27.16

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives inside while Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets follow up their recent oust of the Kings with another road game in Portland facing the Trail Blazers.

Houston Rockets began the season with their explosive offense posting several victories. Portland who’ve jumped out of the gate the past several seasons have been less fortunate.

And while the Rockets continue to rule the Association with their 3-ball, this week they learned they’ll need to add another component to the mix if they want to be among the top contenders. For their part the Blazers have gotten somewhat back on track with a minor tweak to their starting line-up, but their front court remains an issue.

This is the second meeting between the squads, the first occurring just 10 days ago when the Rockets came out the victors. Including that game the Rockets have won 4 of their last 5 games (lone loss to Raptors) while the Blazers are 2-4 (wins versus Nets and Pelicans).

Though the Rockets record doesn’t scream ‘problems’ the Raptors showed Houston this week they’ll need to add something else to their arsenal besides 3-point shooting. Similarly, the Blazers have discovered they need something besides their incredible backcourt to become a true contender.

Both squads continue to struggle defensively and will look to this outing to shore up that end of the court.

With that, SCS offers up the Game Day Countdown:

Next: Trail Blazers off season moves

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

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 Five

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) looks to drive inside past Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Current Stats:

Point Guard: James Harden – 28.3 points, 12.4 assists, 7.8 rebounds 2016 SCS Harden preview

Shooting Guard: Patrick Beverley – 8.4 points, 4.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds 8.3 points, 3.3 assists, 1.3 reboundsMedia Day Interview

Small Forward: Trevor Ariza – 12.4 points, 2.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 39.3% from deep 2016 SCS Ariza preview

Power Forward: Ryan Anderson – 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 40.0% three point field goal percents Anderson Media Day

Center: Clint Capela – 11.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 61.3% field goal percent, 2.0 blocks 2016 SCS Capela preview

Blazers Starting 5:

Point Guard: Damian Lillard – 28.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds

Shooting Guard: CJ McCollum 22. points, 3.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds

Small Forward: Maurice Harkless – 12.1 points, 5.6rebounds, 37.3% from three

Power Forward: Ed Davis – 3.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists

Center: Mason Plumlee – 9.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists

Next: The Reserves

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Corey Brewer (33) during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-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:

Blazers Bench:

Guards: Shabazz Napier, Evan Turner

Wings: Allen Crabbe, Pat Connaughton, Tim Quarterman

Bigs: Festus Ezeli, Meyers Leonard, Noah Vonleh, Jake Layman

Next: Game Particulars

Nov 4, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Game Specifics:

The Venue: Moda Center, in Portland, Oregon

First Meeting of 2016: In the first game between the teams the Rockets handled the Blazers easily winning by a large margin – 126 to 109

The Tip: 9PM EST, 8:00 PM CT

TV: Root Sports in Houston

Radio: 790 AM in Houston

Walking Wounded:

Rockets: none

Blazers:

Al Farouq Aminu – calf, the foward is expected to remain out until late December. His absence from the starting line-up coincided with many of the issues the Blazers have faced.
Ezeli continues to rehab the knee, participating in limited practice sessions. In a recent update the star is said to be looking at a second opinion on his surgically repaired knee.

Next: Keys to Win

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

Focus on the backcourt: The return of Patrick Beverley has brought a consistency to the starting line-up. Still, Harden and Beverley will have their hands full with the offensive brilliance of Dame Lillard ad C.J. McCollum. While it may be impossible to contain both Mike D’Antoni will need a solid game plan to limit at least one of them, or at the very least either stop them from driving or from the field. The best case scenario would be to to hold both below their averages. That will be easier said than done. Lillard is the key as he is tied with Harden for 4th in points scored per game.

More from Space City Scoop

Pair “3” with “D”: The Blazers rank 28th in the Association in number of threes allowed by their opponents and rank dead last for opponent field goal attempts. Still, the Rockets need to resist the temptation to just hoist up threes and not rely on their defense. Houston has to remember the team who sits directly behind them in attempted 3 pointers is Portland. That means the Blazers are just as likely to get hot and take over a game, so defense is critical.

Painting a picture: The Rockets boast a better result in the paint averaging 45.8 points per game. In comparison the Blazers score 41.9. Houston should look to drive the ball as the Blazers allow their opponents to score 46.9 points in the paint. Notably since the Blazers have brought Ed Davis back to the starting line-up they’ve played better overall, but they are missing Aminu as their multiple losses without him demonstrate.

For more details on the Blazers check out SCS 2016-17 team preview:

Next: Portland Trail Blazers 2016-17 Team Preview

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