Game #13: Toronto Raptors 129 - Houston Rockets 113

[Scraptor]

I'll bite the bullet because I doubt anyone wants this one lol.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Projected starters











AT

HOUSTON ROCKETS











____________


Notes:

• Norm is considered doubtful per Casey. I'm guessing at OG but it could be Miles.
• Surprise stat: Raps are averaging more assists per 100 possessions than the Rockets
• Rockets attempt 45 threes a game! 12 more than second place Dallas (33), 14 more than us (31)
• Rockets are 24th in 3pt %, only 0.7% ahead of 26th place Raps
• James Harden had his jersey retired by a strip club in Houston
• Houston is 7th worst defending the three, Raps 13th worst
• It is said that four species of bat live in James Harden's beard
• Houston has 7th best DRatg, Raptors 15th. They are number 1 in defensive rebounding, we are 16th.
• We play at almost the same pace, they are 13th, we are 15th

[Shaolin Fantastic]

This is going to be another really difficult game. We basically want to play like the Rockets except they have way better players for that style. Could see us getting blown out here.

[DanH]

Tough road game. We should be able to take one game on this trip, though. If they steal this one, they have a good chance to grab two if they come out strong against NOP as well.

Would be a heck of a test for OG if he starts - I imagine he'd get the Harden assignment.

[G__Deane]

Tough loss against the Celtics on the road, now Harden and the Rockets on the road and the return of the Pelicans to complete the road trip just 2 games after the longest 6 game road trip of the season and out west....did I say road enough? schedule maker hates us.

They could easily get swept on this trip, had to win in Boston.

[Nilanka]

Curious to see OG on Harden. Could go either way. Unexpected poor shooting night from Harden, or OG fouls out in the 1st quarter.

Also, OG's probably the only guy on the roster who isn't afraid of bats....

[LJ2]

Could really use Powell's D, in this one.

[Demographic Shift]

After a huge 1 point blowout loss to their rivals in Chowdertown the Raptors are facing the now lamely predictable forks in the road.

Should they turtle and tank? Pretty much every team they face either has a real or imagined transcendent MVP type player that totally eclipses anyone the F22s have. If it gets tough..should they just quit. Tonight it’s the non iso James Harden that looms as executioner.

Should they fire the coach and his staff at this late stage of the season for a variety of reasons that border on sedition and treason? These range from poor substation patterns, to after time out plays, to running isolation plays late in games that pretty much every team does, to halitosis. Is the The Madame Defarge option now the only answer ?

Along with firing the coach and his staff it’s now apparent that the trade of the teams best player(s) is inevitable. By clawing away some piece parts and some magic beans for 3 time all stars success will be insured.

OR As heretical as it may look..

You stay the course as it’s 12 games into a season.The August consensus Conference champ is struggling mightily, one of the two other rivals to win the conference is off to a hot start indeed while the other is finding its form similar to the home town boys.

Raps pull out a win over the Paul-less Rockets.

And #fuckboston

[The Great One]

If you want to be a 3pt shooting team then you have to have more than 1 good 3pt shooter on your team.

Masai Ujiri pay attention to the Rockets roster.

[G__Deane]

If you want to be a 3pt shooting team then you have to have more than 1 good 3pt shooter on your team.

Masai Ujiri pay attention to the Rockets roster.

Yup.
"We're terrible at it so the solution is to heave up more 3's with pretty much the same roster" ....

[JamesNaismith]

Poeltl seriously needs to start, JV is going to get killed by all the 3pt shooting and perimeter play.

[MixxAOR]

Rockets are 24th in 3pt %, only 0.7% ahead of 26th place Raps

I guess nobody saw this?

[raptors999]

Yup.
"We're terrible at it so the solution is to heave up more 3's with pretty much the same roster" ....

Rockets are shooting 3s pretty poorly right now esp Anderson, Gordon and Ariza. More interesed to see D'Antoni vs Casey with similar rosters. DD - Harden, Gordon - Lowry, Anderson - Ibaka

[LJ2]

If you want to be a 3pt shooting team then you have to have more than 1 good 3pt shooter on your team.

Masai Ujiri pay attention to the Rockets roster.

Rome wasn't built in a day, nor the Rockets roster put together in one season. Why is it always championship or bust around here?

[rocwell]

Rome wasn't built in a day, nor the Rockets roster put together in one season. Why is it always championship or bust around here?

Cuz we're in the final phase of our window.

[LJ2]

Cuz we're in the final phase of our window.

What window are you referring to? As long as GS is around and players healthy there is no championship window for any other NBA team, as is currently constructed.

It's the first year of a new system and with little cap space to do anything. They weren't going to be able to load up on shooters one way or another. They will remain a decent team while building towards a future window.