Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic Game Preview

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, and I probably have, but damn the NBA. After sticking us with back-to-back back-to-back's in our first four games back from the All-Star Game (forgive the superfluous use of "back"), we get to host an Eastern Conference contender just hitting its stride. And to exacerbate our already exacting travails, we play the Magic after losing nine of our last thirteen games, a stretch in which we've looked dogged and unfocused while displaying an alarming predilection for concession rather than persistence. 

But, if there's one truth we as Rockets fans should have already familiarized ourselves with, it's that one of the most egregious offenses a person can commit is to minimize the fighting spirit and willpower of a proven winner (never underestimate the heart of a champion, bitches). And on that note, let's move on to some previewing. 

Trevor Ariza won't play tonight with a "severe" hip-pointer and is expected to be out for a few more games. Hopefully he gets well soon, because as painful as he can be to watch, it never hurts to have an athletic swingman on your active roster. 

Ariza's absence means that newcomer Kevin Martin will get his first start as a Rocket, so hopefully that will be enough to get him going after his recent mini-slump. For all of our sakes, let's pray that he and Brooks got in some good practice time together. 


For both the Magic and your favorite team named after space-traveling vessels, threes are essential. The Magic take 28 a game and we take 23 of our own, although the Magic do averaged 2.1 more makes than we do. Getting out on shooters will be an essential part of tonight's contest, but you don't need to tell Shane Battier twice to keep his hand in his man's face. Or once, for that matter.


Unlike the Rockets, the Magic's dominant center is actually healthy. It's really unfortunate that Yao won't be around tonight, as he always enjoys taking it to Dwight when they go head-to-head. Hayes is going to have his hands full trying to keep Howard out of the paint, and it's going to take a team effort to prevent a 30-15-7 night from the Magic's all-world center. And frankly, even that might not be enough to stop the man. 


Brooks will need to be aggressive to start the game, as Jameer Nelson's knee still isn't healthy, which means he probably won't have the quickness to keep up with ABZ. On the other end of the floor, Brooks will actually need to, you know, play defense, as Nelson, even in his current state, is still a far more capable point guard than TJ Ford ever will be. And yet Ford scored 19 points in the second half against Brooks. So yeah, that was not good. 

The Magic also have one of the best free throw rates in the league, and although Dwight Howard taking 16 free throws isn't exactly the scariest thought in the world, he gets them into the bonus so when Jameer gets fouled on a silly reach at half-court or Rashard Lewis gets tripped up coming off a screen, they too get to go to the line. And those guys aren't shooting anywhere near 60 percent. Playing active defense without fouling will be key tonight, as the last thing an already-potent offense needs is free points at the line.

Expect a highly-contested, very competitive game tonight. We're struggling but know how to get up for the big games, and the Magic are just very damn good. We don't have the size to battle with them down low, but you can bet your ass we're still going to try. It's going to be tough, but if we minimize our mistakes and catch a few breaks, we can definitely come away with the win.


And as a bit of added motivation, we're only one game above .500, so losing tonight means we're nothing more than an average team. I'd like to avoid that, so, with a little more emphasis than usual, go Rockets. 


Houston Rockets: 28-27, 96.2 possessions per game (8th), 103.6 points scored per 100 possessions (18th), 104 points allowed per 100 possessions (15th)


Orlando Magic: 38-19, 94.5 possessions per game (19th), 106.8 points scored per 100 possessions (7th), 94.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (4th)


All stats courtesy of hoopdata.com