clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Game 27 Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns

I like when the Rockets win games that they were not favored to win. I especially love it when we win games that the referees were blatantly trying to take away from us. And I love that our bench proves how great they can be.

I do not like when Kyle Lowry gets injured. I do not like it one bit. Especially when he was coming back alive.

I like when Luis Scola hits jumpers and attacks the basket on cuts and fast breaks.

I do not like when Luis Scola tries to dribble, pass, or "create."

We could keep doing this, but we've got another game tonight. Goran Dragic returns to Phoenix to take down the team that traded him. It's just like Air Bud, except if the ballhog kid who transferred was a good guy. And the team with the dog lost. Oddly enough, this analogy isn't working.

Let's just get to the matchups before I embarrass myself any more than normal.

One last thing though: five teams in the West have 11 losses. One more has 12, two have 13, and two have 14. The difference between fourth and thirteenth in the West is five games. Yeah, at least 12 teams in the West still have at least marginal playoff hopes. I wish the Rockets were in the East. I wish this a lot.

Extra random facts about the Suns: since the defeat in Houston, they are 3-0 with road wins over Atlanta and Milwaukee. Since the game against the Rockets, Michael Redd has played 20+ minutes in each game. Hakim Warrick did not play in any of those three games, and Shannon Brown didn't see any time in the road wins.

Seems like Gentry has found a lineup he likes. Kinda.

And remember, tip is at 8pm CST.

Matchups:

PG: Goran Dragic vs. Steve Nash:

Corndog gets the start with Lowry almost certainly out.

But more importantly, we may get to see Jonny "Don't call me Kevin or Sam" Flynn. Yay!

Can Flynn survive the Grid game? We'll find out, right now.

TRON: LEGACY Official Trailer (via DisneyMovieTrailers)

Advantage: Suns

SG: Kevin Martin vs. Jared Dudley:

Jared Dudley can shoot.

Apparently Kevin Martin cannot right now. It's a slump, and he'll get over it, but right now he's doing more bad than good while he's on the floor, which is a line he's always toeing since he doesn't play defense very well.

Advantage: Suns

SF: Chandler Parsons vs. Grant Hill:

Parsons is looking more and more confident as he gets more playing time. He's looking for his shot and still playing great defense. If only we could combine him and Chase into a super-being it would be awesome.

Advantage: Suns

PF: Luis Scola vs. Channing Frye:

Scola needs to stop thinking and start doing. If that happens, he can have a field day. That is all.

Advantage: Rockets

C: Samuel Dalembert vs. Marcin Gortat:

Dalembert needs to wake up. Hopefully this video of bench reactions from his alma mater will get him pumped.

Awesome Seton Hall Bench Reactions (via ESPN)

Advantage: Suns

---

Bench/Role Players:

Suns: Sebastian Telfair, Josh Childress, Markieff Morris, Ronnie Price, Robin Lopez, Michael Redd

Rockets: Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson, Jordan Hill, Courtney Lee, Jonny Flynn

Advantage: Rockets

Injuries/Inactives:

Suns: None

Rockets: Lowry probably out

Prediction: Suns 110-103

Make sure you get in on TCWHRO (we have to figure out another way to say that)'s fantasy basketball game. Details here. Just make your predictions in the comments, and maybe explain how you came to that conclusion so we have something to talk about.

Rockets vs Suns coverage

Bright Side Of The Sun