Preview: Rockets (52-24) at Thunder (42-34)
Date: April 05, 2015 1:00 PM EDT
The Houston Rockets have been among the NBA's best teams despite not having Dwight Howard for much of the season. They'll likely need him to be in top form to truly compete for a title, however.
Howard will continue to try to find his groove Sunday when Houston visits the Oklahoma City Thunder, who may be wearing out Russell Westbrook as they try to hold on to a playoff spot.
Though Howard has only played 36 games, missing more than 12 in a season for the first time in his career, the Rockets (52-24) are battling Memphis for the Western Conference's second seed and the Southwest Division title. Because the teams split the season series, a tie would favor the team with the superior conference record. Houston is 30-17 against the West while Memphis is 33-15.
The Rockets won 108-101 at Dallas on Thursday, their sixth victory in seven games. Howard had eight points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes after sitting out the previous two games and raised some concerns when he limped off the court in the third quarter, but he later returned wearing knee pads. He has averaged 10.3 points on 64.0 percent shooting and 18.3 minutes in four contests since returning from a 26-game absence due to swelling in his right knee.
"There was a point in the game where I got kneed in my knee but gotta go back to the Hakeem (Olajuwon) knee pads now," he said. "The most important thing is for me to stay healthy and kind of get into a rhythm for these last couple of games, then in the playoffs, really stride out."
Howard's 15.6 points per game marks his lowest average since he scored 12.0 as a rookie in 2004-05. Houston is 26-10 when he plays, including 15-4 when he shoots 60.0 percent or better.
"We've got to get his rhythm going 'cause we're going to need him in the postseason," said James Harden, averaging 33.1 points over his last nine contests.
The Rockets are aiming for their first season sweep of Oklahoma City since 2008-09 after winning the first two meetings despite Howard struggling, totaling 25 points on 9-for-25 shooting. He has been limited to 9.7 points per game on 33.8 percent shooting in his last seven matchups with the Thunder.
Oklahoma City (42-34) is trying to hold off New Orleans for the West's eighth seed. The Pelicans entered the weekend having won four in a row, and the Thunder have dropped four of five after losing 100-92 at Memphis on Friday.
Westbrook scored 18 but shot 5 for 20 and committed five turnovers. He has shot 33.3 percent over his last five games, including 6 for 33 from 3-point range. Westbrook is also averaging 6.1 turnovers over his last 14 compared to 3.9 per game previously.
With Kevin Durant out for the season, coach Scott Brooks continues to rely heavily on Westbrook, who has averaged 40.0 minutes over his last four games. Westbrook's 37.1 usage percentage leads the league, up from his career high of 33.3 last season.
"He plays hard, he's gonna get tired after every game. That's what he does, that's what an NBA player should do," Brooks said. "It has nothing to do with the minutes, his minutes have been good all year long, and we monitor. He missed some shots. Every time you have a bad shooting game or a couple bad, it's not because you're tired, it's just things don't fall. He competes, and he leaves everything on the floor and I couldn't be more proud of him.
"... He's one of the best players in basketball. What do you want me to do, take him out?"
Westbrook scored 16 and committed eight turnovers in a 112-101 loss at Houston on Jan. 15 in the teams' last meeting.
Enes Kanter continues to play well, averaging 20.9 points and 12.6 rebounds over his last 13 games.
Date: April 05, 2015 1:00 PM EDT
The Houston Rockets have been among the NBA's best teams despite not having Dwight Howard for much of the season. They'll likely need him to be in top form to truly compete for a title, however.
Howard will continue to try to find his groove Sunday when Houston visits the Oklahoma City Thunder, who may be wearing out Russell Westbrook as they try to hold on to a playoff spot.
Though Howard has only played 36 games, missing more than 12 in a season for the first time in his career, the Rockets (52-24) are battling Memphis for the Western Conference's second seed and the Southwest Division title. Because the teams split the season series, a tie would favor the team with the superior conference record. Houston is 30-17 against the West while Memphis is 33-15.
The Rockets won 108-101 at Dallas on Thursday, their sixth victory in seven games. Howard had eight points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes after sitting out the previous two games and raised some concerns when he limped off the court in the third quarter, but he later returned wearing knee pads. He has averaged 10.3 points on 64.0 percent shooting and 18.3 minutes in four contests since returning from a 26-game absence due to swelling in his right knee.
"There was a point in the game where I got kneed in my knee but gotta go back to the Hakeem (Olajuwon) knee pads now," he said. "The most important thing is for me to stay healthy and kind of get into a rhythm for these last couple of games, then in the playoffs, really stride out."
Howard's 15.6 points per game marks his lowest average since he scored 12.0 as a rookie in 2004-05. Houston is 26-10 when he plays, including 15-4 when he shoots 60.0 percent or better.
"We've got to get his rhythm going 'cause we're going to need him in the postseason," said James Harden, averaging 33.1 points over his last nine contests.
The Rockets are aiming for their first season sweep of Oklahoma City since 2008-09 after winning the first two meetings despite Howard struggling, totaling 25 points on 9-for-25 shooting. He has been limited to 9.7 points per game on 33.8 percent shooting in his last seven matchups with the Thunder.
Oklahoma City (42-34) is trying to hold off New Orleans for the West's eighth seed. The Pelicans entered the weekend having won four in a row, and the Thunder have dropped four of five after losing 100-92 at Memphis on Friday.
Westbrook scored 18 but shot 5 for 20 and committed five turnovers. He has shot 33.3 percent over his last five games, including 6 for 33 from 3-point range. Westbrook is also averaging 6.1 turnovers over his last 14 compared to 3.9 per game previously.
With Kevin Durant out for the season, coach Scott Brooks continues to rely heavily on Westbrook, who has averaged 40.0 minutes over his last four games. Westbrook's 37.1 usage percentage leads the league, up from his career high of 33.3 last season.
"He plays hard, he's gonna get tired after every game. That's what he does, that's what an NBA player should do," Brooks said. "It has nothing to do with the minutes, his minutes have been good all year long, and we monitor. He missed some shots. Every time you have a bad shooting game or a couple bad, it's not because you're tired, it's just things don't fall. He competes, and he leaves everything on the floor and I couldn't be more proud of him.
"... He's one of the best players in basketball. What do you want me to do, take him out?"
Westbrook scored 16 and committed eight turnovers in a 112-101 loss at Houston on Jan. 15 in the teams' last meeting.
Enes Kanter continues to play well, averaging 20.9 points and 12.6 rebounds over his last 13 games.
Comment