Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic game preview

Houston Rockets Tickets

Well this sucks. The Rockets haven't played particularly well throughout either of their last two games. Tonight they get the 16-42 Orlando Magic on the road. The magic are 9-21 at Amway, but the Rockets are struggling mightily right now.

The team didn't deserve to beat the Bucks in regulation, but they didn't deserve to lose that way either. As we get into more and more close games, I'm reminded of what I said a couple of years ago: the Rockets haven't had a game-winner since "IT'S ON NOVAK!" happened. The Rockets have won plenty of close games, but buzzer beaters are something else entirely. The Rockets have been victims of a few since The Next Great White Hope beat Sacramento, but they haven't returned the favor.

With me giving us four advantages and 2 evens against the Bucks, we still lost. So today we go the other way, giving the benefit of the doubt to our opponents. A reverse jinx, if you will. Get ready to hate me.

Tip-off at 6:00pm CST.

PG: Jeremy Lin vs. Arron Afflalo

Before I get the inevitable "AK you're crazy! Afflalo isn't a point guard" inquiries, let me point out that the Magic lineup is just as weird as ours right now as they're shuffling after the J.J. Redick deal just like we are.

Afflalo is a good player, and his numbers have gone up with his usage rate.

Advantage: Orlando

SG: James Harden vs. E'Twaun Moore

Harden is better, but E'Twaun has a way cooler name. The Thunder made the right move, because James Harden is the worst player in the history of left-handed, large-bearded basketball players.

This one sounds even to me.

Advantage: Even

SF: Chandler Parsons vs. Moe Harkless

Moe Harkless has a really cool name. Chandler Parsons has really cool hair, but not a cool name. This one is tough, but the dream boat is going down tonight.

Advantage: Orlando

PF: Donatas Motiejunas vs. Andrew Nicholson

Who? Exactly.

Advantage: Orlando

C: Omer Asik vs. Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic grabbed 29 rebounds against the Heat back in December. Since Asik hasn't grabbed that many before, this one is pretty simple if you ask me.

Advantage: Orlando

Bench:

Tobias Harris is the truth. Beno Udrih is incredible. Kyle O'Quinn, DeQuan Jones, Doron Lamb, and Al Harrington are the best players to ever come off the bench ever. They should all be starting instead of LeBron for Miami.

Thomas Robinson sucks, Francisco Garcia sucks, Patrick Beverley sucks, Greg Smith sucks, Carlos Delfino sucks, Kevin McHale sucks, the fans suck, everyone sucks.

Advantage: Please. Orlando bitches!

Prediction: This one gets out of hand early. Magic lead by 20 after 1, 40 after 2, 75 after 3 and then their third stringers cruise to a 200-64 Magic victory.

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