Rockets Need To Bounce Back Against Suns

April 11, 2012 may go down as one of the worst days ever for the Rockets. Basically every team the Rockets were rooting for lost. The only way for that situation to be worse would be if we lost to the hated Utah Jazz.

Oh wait.

But the Rockets can get it back tonight. Obviously the loss to the Jazz is killer, but if you want to make the playoffs you have to be able to bounce back against anyone.

The Rockets sit tied for seventh place, and sit a game and a half ahead of the Jazz and two games ahead of the Suns. Lose this one and that 4-0 road trip becomes practically meaningless and we're back where we started a couple of weeks ago.

Must-win, gotta have it, cliches, etc.

Other games in the NBA tonight that matter to the Rockets:

Jazz vs. Hornets

Bucks vs. Pistons

Nuggets vs. Lakers

Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers

Tip is at 7pm CST. ON ESPN!

Matchups after the jump.

Matchups:

PG: Goran Dragic vs. Steve Nash:

Have to do it:

Goran Dragic show at San-Antoino (2nd round, 3rd game) - part 1/2 (via AnAvailibleUsername)

Advantage: Suns

SG: Courtney Lee vs. Shannon Brown:

This is a matchup that Courtney Lee has to win. He's the better all-around player, but Brown is fast and can get on the break and dunk the crap out of the ball.

So watch out for that.

Advantage: Rockets

SF: Chandler Parsons vs. Jared Dudley:

Normally Grant Hill starts at the three and Dudley is more of a two. But with Hill out (probably), the lineup moves to this.

Dudley is an absolute killer. He can hit many types of shots (especially the triple) and shoots over 50% in their wins. Parsons will have to corral him somehow. Looking forward to this matchup.

Advantage: Even

PF: Luis Scola vs. Channing Frye:

I like Channing Frye, but I admit he's not a great defender. Of course, neither is Luis Scola, but they're such different players it's not really fair to compare them.

Frye has 3-years, $19.2 million left on his contract. Huh.

Advantage: Even

C: Marcus Camby vs. Marcin Gortat:

Gortat is averaging 16/10. How come we didn't give him an iPad?

Advantage: Suns

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Bench:

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

Rockets: Chase Budinger, Kyle Lowry, Patrick Patterson, Samuel Dalembert

Advantage: Even

Injuries:

Suns: Grant Hill questionable

Rockets: K-Mart out

Prediction: Rockets 100-95

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