Rockets vs. Raptors Pre-Game 3/5/19

Rockets Look to Find a Way in Jurassic Park, Go For 6 in the Six

 

Jurassic Park.    Load Management.    40 Burgers.

 

“How can we possibly have the slightest idea what to expect?” ponders Alan Grant in 1993’s Jurassic Park.  The innovative blockbuster was released the summer before Houston won their first NBA Championship, and left an indelible mark on the film industry.  The quote refers to the discussion of unknown factors that come into play with bringing dinosaurs back to life.  Well, the NBA’s oldest team, the Houston Rockets, have finally come back to life.  The Rockets are shooting for their sixth win in a row on Tuesday night.  This will be the toughest matchup Houston’s faced since their impressive win to start the streak in Golden State.  Toronto boasts one of the best, and deepest lineups in the league.  The Raptors have won 9 of their last 11 games.  Despite this, they lost on Sunday in overtime, giving Toronto extra motivation for Tuesday night.  They also have Kawhi Leonard.  As Samuel L. Jackson says in Jurassic Park, “hold onto your butts.”

Everyone seems to be in need of some load management these days.  If you’re an NBA fan, you’ve probably heard this term more than thrice.  It’s the league’s fancy, new term for “rest”.  And, last time these two squads faced off, Kawhi Leonard decided not to play.  For, um, load management.  It’s becoming an unfortunate trend.  Players used to play for the love of the game.  Now they need extra rest to prepare for, and try to guard, the most unstoppable player on the planet.  James Harden.  It doesn’t matter how much rest Leonard gets, Harden is a problem for him, and the Raptors.

The last time Houston faced Toronto, they were without Chris Paul.  The Point God is in a different sort of groove.  There’s a reason the Rockets have the NBA’s longest winning streak.  Both Harden and Paul are playing at the top of their games.  Houston is 6-1 since Paul returned from injury.  And now, they’re getting help.  Eric Gordon is coming off one his best games of the year.  When EG is splashing shots from deep, Houston is virtually unbeatable.  The Rockets hope to have Kenneth Faried back in action.  Houston’s energetic “Manimal” has missed the squad’s last two contests.  Against this Raptors deep frontline, the Rockets need Faried’s presence.

Marc Gasol just arrived via trade and has fit in nicely with Toronto.  Jonas Valanciunas, who didn’t play in the previous game in Houston, is back and tends to have his better games against the Rockets.  Serge Ibaka’s excelled in an under-the-radar season for Toronto.  Ex-Rocket Kyle Lowry, running the point, arguably could have been an All-Star this year.  Pascal Siakam is the league’s most-improved player.  That race is over.  The Raptors 46 wins are no illusion.  Toronto is for real.  If the Rockets want to escape Jurassic Park with a win, they might need the Beard to score 40.  Then again, in Houston’s previous game, Harden had 42 points.

The 40-point game.  It used to be a highlight.  Something rare.  Except the Beard’s had more 40-point games this season than most players have in their entire career.  Harden loves his 40 burgers.  They’re not rare anymore for the Beard.  He’s scored 40 or more 24 times this season.  The Rockets are 18-6 when he reaches this mark.  When Harden scores less than 40, Houston is merely average, at 18-17.  His scoring has been so important for the squad.  It will be extremely tough to get 40 against the best perimeter defender in the NBA in Leonard.  If anyone can, it’s Harden.  Is it just a coincidence, or do the Rockets really need Harden to score 40 to be more than just mediocre?  Many of the games he scored less than 40, Houston was still working the kinks out and tinkering with the lineup in the beginning of the season.  Injuries also factor into the equation.  Harden had to score when Paul, Capela, and others were out.  The fact Houston won the vast majority of those games is a testament to his greatness.

The Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season.  Finally, they have a healthy roster.  Currently, the Rockets are performing at a level even higher than last season.  Houston needs to keep playing with focus and intensity on defense if they want to get their sixth straight win.  They go into Jurassic Park, one of the toughest places to play in basketball.  Facing off against the Raptors, one of the beasts of the East.  A team that lost the previous meeting between these teams, and will be out for revenge.  Houston needs to keep playing with focus and intensity on defense if they want to make it 6 wins in a row.  Will the Raps hold home court?  Or will the Rockets keep rolling?  During this crazy season, how can we possibly have the slightest idea what to expect?  Hold onto your butts.

 

Scotiabank Arena:  Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (38-25):  “Earned” Red

Toronto Raptors (46-18):  White

 

TV:  7 PM CT – TNT, ATT Sportsnet SW

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