Rockets Nip Nets, Win 112 - 106

Three losses from the lottery. Three wins from 4th place. This is a weird season.

At any rate, the losing streak is over. The less said about it the better. Also I have something that seems like flu but probably isn't. Combine those two things and you're going to get a really short recap.

Here are some things that stood out to me in tonights game. First, NJ was missing Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Houston was without Kyle Lowry. If you had to bet on who was the deeper team, you'd take the Rockets, right?

Enter Gerald Green. What? Who? The Houston native has apparently found his way back to the NBA, and perhaps he'll stick this time, after being drafted 18th out of high school in 2005. Green went 10-15 including 4-8 from 3pt range and one of those thunderous dunks people associate with him. Looking at Green make shot after shot and look like the star some thought he'd be I'm reminded of Terrence Williams. They strike me as similar in some ways. Given the dire state of the SG position in the NBA I'd like to think both guys have a future.

If Green kept NJ in this game, Goran Dragic took it for the Rockets. Dragic went 8-14 and 4-7 from 3pt range, lead his patented One Man Fast Break, and dished 8 assists to 2 turnovers. He came up huge in the closing moments, scoring points and hitting FTs.

Kevin Martin continues his latest disappearing act, playing only 17 minutes, going 2-5. Courtney Lee is going to take his job, trade deadline or no, at this rate. Lee played 32 minutes, scored 17 on 7-14 shooting, grabbed two boards and dished four assists. I've been a noted Martin defender, but this is a bit silly. A scorer who refuses to score isn't worth a lot. Martin at 24pts and a 50%+ True Shooting percentage is a very valuable player. This version isn't.

Chandler Parsons - Ballplayer. Fills up the score sheet, plays defense, will get at least one improbable put-back or tip in a night. He's almost always in the right spot, and got a key block on Marshon Brooks. Speaking of Marshon Brooks, this guy makes some of the least likely-looking shots I've ever seen. Note the picture. That shot almost certainly went in. Parsons goes for 16 on 8-11 shooting, grabs 5 boards, drops 6 dimes. 1 steal, 1 block. In 31 minutes. Just how good would Marcus Morris need to be to take his minutes? If he learns to hit the corner 3 the sky is the limit.

Three losses from the lottery. Three wins from 4th place. This is a weird season.

Get well soon, Kyle Lowry!

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As much as I love you, that's all I've got to offer tonight. The mucus is winning.