Friday Night: Thunder at Houston Rockets
Nov 5 2009 4:58PM
The Thunder will play its second road game of the season against a Rockets team it hasn’t defeated in 10 straight games dating back to April 4, 2006.
Of course, much has changed for both franchises since.
The Rockets, for one, are without its two best players in the towering center, Yao Ming, and sharpshooter Tracy McGrady, both of who are out with injuries. While Houston lost defensive stopper Ron Artest to Los Angeles, it signed another defensive-minded forward in Trevor Ariza, who is fresh off his first NBA championship with the L.A. Lakers. Ariza joins a nucleus with many interchangeable parts in guards Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowery, swingmen Chuck Hayes and Shane Battier and forwards Carl Landry, Luis Scola and rookie Chase Budinger.
The Rockets are coming off a 103-102 overtime home loss to the Lakers; the night before, the Thunder also took the defending champs to overtime before losing. The Rockets are still one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league, something the Thunder is aware of from the teams’ preseason meeting when they made 11-for-20 from three-point range. Houston has made 41.4% of its shots from behind the arc this season and has averaged 8.6 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the league.
About the Rockets
Location: Houston, TX
Homecourt: Toyota Center
Founded: 1967-68 San Diego Rockets; 1971-72 Houston Rockets
Thunder vs. Rockets series: 3-0, Rockets
Did You Know? Thunder head coach Scott Brooks was a backup point guard on the 1993-94 NBA champion Houston Rockets.
One to Watch
Etan Thomas. The Thunder reserve center has provided a huge spark off the bench for the Thunder. Thomas is averaging 5.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. While the Rockets don’t have a traditional center in the rotation, and they didn’t play anyone taller than 6-9 against the Lakers, it’ll be interesting to see how the Thunder uses Thomas, who’s size and presence alone have done a fine job keeping opponents from getting easy buckets inside.
Fun to Watch
Russell Westbrook and Aaron Brooks.Westbrook and Brooks, both young floor generals, possess blinding speed. Both franchises think very highly of their explosive point guards. Westbrook earned the starting point guard role as a rookie. Brooks, meanwhile, recently had his contract extended for a fourth season, a move that Houston GM Daryl Morley called a “no-brainer.” Brooks is averaging 19.8 points, 8.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds through five games, while Westbrook has averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds through four games. Westbrook has been more of a playmaker this season, which is evident by the nearly three more assists he’s dishing. Brooks, meanwhile, remains a threat from outside; he’s shooting 40% from three-point range.
Around the Web
Trevor Ariza is still adjusting to his new team and role.
A video interview with Rockets rookie Chase Budinger.
Contact Chris Silva
Of course, much has changed for both franchises since.
The Rockets, for one, are without its two best players in the towering center, Yao Ming, and sharpshooter Tracy McGrady, both of who are out with injuries. While Houston lost defensive stopper Ron Artest to Los Angeles, it signed another defensive-minded forward in Trevor Ariza, who is fresh off his first NBA championship with the L.A. Lakers. Ariza joins a nucleus with many interchangeable parts in guards Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowery, swingmen Chuck Hayes and Shane Battier and forwards Carl Landry, Luis Scola and rookie Chase Budinger.
The Rockets are coming off a 103-102 overtime home loss to the Lakers; the night before, the Thunder also took the defending champs to overtime before losing. The Rockets are still one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league, something the Thunder is aware of from the teams’ preseason meeting when they made 11-for-20 from three-point range. Houston has made 41.4% of its shots from behind the arc this season and has averaged 8.6 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the league.
About the Rockets
Location: Houston, TX
Homecourt: Toyota Center
Founded: 1967-68 San Diego Rockets; 1971-72 Houston Rockets
Thunder vs. Rockets series: 3-0, Rockets
Did You Know? Thunder head coach Scott Brooks was a backup point guard on the 1993-94 NBA champion Houston Rockets.
One to Watch
Etan Thomas. The Thunder reserve center has provided a huge spark off the bench for the Thunder. Thomas is averaging 5.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. While the Rockets don’t have a traditional center in the rotation, and they didn’t play anyone taller than 6-9 against the Lakers, it’ll be interesting to see how the Thunder uses Thomas, who’s size and presence alone have done a fine job keeping opponents from getting easy buckets inside.
Fun to Watch
Russell Westbrook and Aaron Brooks.Westbrook and Brooks, both young floor generals, possess blinding speed. Both franchises think very highly of their explosive point guards. Westbrook earned the starting point guard role as a rookie. Brooks, meanwhile, recently had his contract extended for a fourth season, a move that Houston GM Daryl Morley called a “no-brainer.” Brooks is averaging 19.8 points, 8.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds through five games, while Westbrook has averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds through four games. Westbrook has been more of a playmaker this season, which is evident by the nearly three more assists he’s dishing. Brooks, meanwhile, remains a threat from outside; he’s shooting 40% from three-point range.
Around the Web
Contact Chris Silva
