Rockets Head North for Jurassic Park Duel with Raptors
South vs. North. Moments Like This. The Rock Star.
“I bring scientists, you bring the rock star,” John Hammond says in Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg’s game-changing film that changed the industry forever. James Harden’s slowly changing the game with each contest, and his Rockets head north of the border for a match with the Raptors on Thursday night. Houston heads to Toronto looking to put Tuesday night’s shenanigans to rest with a solid victory over a good Raptors team. It’s the NBA’s best team from the South versus the best from the North. The defending champion-Raptors have been better than most expected this season. They lost Kawhi Leonard in free-agency to the Clippers, but Toronto has proven they’ve still a got a competitive team without “the silencer”. The Raptors are currently tied for 2nd in the East, with a 15-5 record. After being named Most-Improved Player last season, Pascal Siakam has vastly improved again this season. Siakam is averaging 25 points and 8 rebounds, and has evolved into a bonafide NBA All-Star. P.J. Tucker will have his work cut out for him (like every night), guarding this budding, evolving All-Star. Houston needs to help and work as a team on defense. Containing Siakam is one the major keys to victory for the Rockets tonight. Kyle Lowry recently returned from a thumb injury that kept him out for a month, and Fred VanVleet is having a career season in the backcourt for Toronto. Both players shooting abilities open the floor and creates spaces for the Dinos to wreak havoc on the opposition.
Danuel House is listed as questionable again tonight. Ben McLemore and Austin Rivers need to continue to step up for the Rockets to win a tough one on the road. Tonight’s matchup will be Houston’s most difficult for the next two weeks. The Rockets should be angry and motivated after being dealt an unfair hand in their last game on Tuesday night. Thursday night’s showdown in Jurassic Park will measure Houston’s mental toughness. Just who are these Rockets? Will they go into tonight’s game frustrated and mad, with their minds still on the Alamo City Robbery? If Houston’s still living in the past they’re in danger of laying an egg tonight, and getting blown out by very good team. The Raptors lost their previous game to Miami at home, their first loss in Jurassic Park all season. Expect Toronto to be ready for the Rockets. The Raptors don’t lose consecutive games at home often, and have always had one of the best home-court advantages in the league. Luckily Houston has the best player in the world at the moment, James Harden. And The Beard was born for moments like this. Harden was at the epicenter of the Alamo City Robbery, but expect the incident to fuel and motivate the greatest scorer this game’s ever seen. Harden goes for his third consecutive 50-point game tonight, and judging by the circumstances, don’t be surprised if he passes the mark again. The Raptors are solid defensively on the perimeter, but for the Beard, tonight isn’t just a regular season game in a long season. It’s an opportunity to make a statement. Compensate for the Alamo City Robbery with by silencing Jurassic Park. To do this, Harden will need to fight off more defenders than usual, as the Raptors have 5 or 6 guys they can put on the Beard at different times in the game.
At 13-7, the Rockets are stuck in the middle of the standings. 14-7 is a breath of fresh air, while 13-8 looks like a struggle to breath. It won’t be easy get that breath of fresh air, by any means, but the Rockets have the firepower to shut down the Raptors on Thursday night. Screaming fans in and outside the arena make up the area known as “Jurassic Park.” Houston, the NBA’s Evil Empire, won’t be welcomed with open arms. The basketball scientists are waiting in Toronto, and globally, to critique every move Harden makes. As they should know.. there’s something about loud, screaming arenas that bring out the best in superstar players. Expect Toronto to be louder than usual tonight… Houston’s bringing the rock star.
Scotiabank Arena: Toronto, Canada
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (13-7): Black
Toronto Raptors (15-5): Red
TV: 6:30 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW