Brooklyn Nets vs. Houston Rockets 01-15-17
Time: Sunday, January 15, 2017, 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Barclay’s Center | Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network, Fox Sports Go
Projected Starters:
Brooklyn:
Spencer Dinwiddie, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Trevor Booker, Justin Hamilton
Houston:
James Harden, Patrick Beverley, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Montrezl Harrell
Absences:
Brooklyn:
Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez (Rest)
Houston:
The Brooklyn Nets are still in search for their first win of 2017. Coming to town will be no easier task than the previous nine losses in the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are an astounding 31-11 on the season and have a top MVP candidate in James Harden.
If the Nets are going to win this game they need to have the other players on the Rockets beat them. Force Harden to give up the ball and force him into tough shots. Their offense runs through him. If Brooklyn can disrupt his flow, it is a great start en route to a win.
James Harden and the Rockets, much like the Nets, love to take three-point shots. Unlike Brooklyn, though, Houston actually makes their long range shots. Brooklyn will need to play the arc well tonight. Defend the Rockets and contest their shots. On offense, do not settle for the open three, move the ball around and look for the best shot.
Talking of getting the best shot, Brook Lopez has been really good this year averaging over 20 points per game. Feed the ball to your scorer down low. The Rockets front court is not very strong so Lopez can very well do damage down low today. Have him get his shots and have him draw fouls.
Brooklyn will need to play careful and smart in this game if they are to steal a win from the Rockets. If they get sloppy, the game will get ugly and it will be a tenth straight loss for Brooklyn.