Post by SurferGirl on Nov 16, 2015 20:58:28 GMT -8
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
What: The Blazers hope to give Houston a problem when they visit the Rockets.
When: Wednesday, November 18 at 5 p.m. (PT).
Where: Toyota Center; Houston, Texas.
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW. Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Rockets Media: TV - ROOT. Radio - 790 AM.
Fact: This is the final game of the Blazers current five-game road trip.
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The Blazers have dropped six straight after starting the season 4-2. They come into the game with a mark of 4-8, and are coming off a 93-90 road loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 16. The Rockets have not fared much better on the season. They come in with a 4-7 record and are coming off a 111-05 home loss to the Boston Celtics on Nov. 16.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Damian Lillard (photo courtesy Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE )
ROSTER
Guards
0 - Damian Lillard, 6'3"
3 - CJ McCollum, 6'4"
5 - Pat Connaughton, 6'5"
9 - Gerald Henderson, 6'5"
10 - Tim Frazier, 6'1"
44 - Luis Montero, 6'7"
Forwards
4 - Maurice Harkless, 6'9"
8 - Al-Farouq Aminu, 6'9"
17 - Ed Davis, 6'10"
21 - Noah Vonleh, 6'10"
23 - Allen Crabbe, 6'6"
34 - Cliff Alexander, 6'8"
Centers
11 - Meyers Leonard, 7'1"
24 - Mason Plumlee, 6'11"
35 - Chris Kaman, 7'0"
INJURY REPORT
Meyers Leonard (shoulder) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Lillard 25.3
Reb - Plumlee 8.3
Ast - Lillard 7.2
Stl - two with 1.2
Blk - Alexander 1.0
italics denote probable starters
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Terrence Jones (photo courtesy USA Today Sports)
ROSTER
Guards
2 - Patrick Beverley, 6'1"
3 - Ty Lawson, 5'11"
13 - James Harden, 6'5"
22 - Corey Brewer, 6'9"
31 - Jason Terry, 6'2"
32 - K.J. McDaniels, 6'6"
Forwards
1 - Trevor Ariza, 6'8"
6 - Terrence Jones, 6'9"
7 - Sam Dekker, 6'9"
10 - Marcus Thornton, 6'4"
20 - Donatas Motiejunas, 7'0"
35 - Montrezl Harrell, 6'8"
Center
12 - Dwight Howard, 6'11"
15 - Clint Capela, 6'10"
INJURY REPORT
Patrick Beverley (ankle) - out
Donatas Motiejunas (back) - out
HEAD COACH
Kevin McHale
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Harden 27.3
Reb - Howard 12.7
Ast - Harden 6.1
Stl - Ariza 2.0
Blk - Howard 2.0
Italics denote probable starters
JULIANNE'S TAKES
BLAZERS
Portland is in a bit of free fall. As mentioned above, they started the season 4-2 and things appeared that they may be looking up. They've now lost four straight and seem unable to finish games. A four-game road trip is not the best way to trust this team's mettle. Damian Lillard, who is nursing a sore thumb, had a nice statline against the Spurs with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The problem is that opposing teams are focusing their defenses on him. CJ McCollum is set up to be the Blazers next scorer, but his shooting has been erratic. Al-Farouq Aminu fought off early foul trouble to score 17 against the Spurs. Allen Crabbe could be the key off the bench, which will need to step up to beat a deep Rockets' team. Key to a Portland win: Utilize their pass-first offense.
ROCKETS
Houston isn't faring much better than Portland, having dropped some games to teams many would have expected them to win.They were projected by some media members to finish in the top four in the Western Conference this season. Instead, they are just a half game ahead of the Blazer in the conference standings, James Harden is fourth in the NBA at 27.3 points per game, but scored just 16 points in the Rockets' loss to the Celtics. He has been inconsistent thus far this season. Dwight Howard doesn't shoot as much as he used to, but is still a beast on the glass. Native Portlander Terrence Jones may be the team's most solid all-around post man. Trevor Ariza is talented, but no match for Aminu. Cory Brewer was a key off-season addition. Key to a Houston win: Defend the three.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
CJ McCollum vs. James Harden.
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Graphic courtesy of David.
