Rockets vs. Blazers game thread: The day has come

At the beginning of every season, there are usually a couple games players, coaches and fans have circled on their calendar as important. Christmas Day games, Sunday afternoon games against other title contenders on the like.

This year, there was just one game. The first crack at Voldemort and the Death Eaters. That game is tonight at 7 p.m. CT.

Dwight Howard, James Harden and Trevor Ariza were all on the injury report today. They are all playing tonight. It will be the first game in uniform for Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved. All but Terrence Jones of the injured hordes of Rockets are active.

The Blazers are without Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge. If Dwight doesn't eat up the combo of Thomas Robinson, Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard the Blazers will throw at him, he should rest that shoulder/knee some more.

Let's put a brief moratorium on all the Josh Smith talk and watch the biggest game of the year so far. Together in the comments.