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I haven't written a Wizards preview for a few years now since BD is our resident expert on the Wiz. I feel like I don't know this team at all anymore, so I wanted to do this one.
The Rockets have the longest winning streak in the league at 6. Tonight they'll try to push it to 7 before the All-Star break. After the break, they head to the West coast for a 5-game road swing.
The Rockets get yet another break before the break: the Wizards played in Memphis last night, losing 92-89.
Tip off is at 7pm CST on NBA TV.
Matchups:
Point Guard: Patrick Beverley vs. John Wall
Wall and Beal, affectionately known as Slash and Dash, have kept the Wizards in a playoff spot in the East. Wall sliced and diced the Rockets last time, leading the Wizards back from a 25-point deficit all the way to a 5-point lead late in the fourth quarter. However, Beverley wasn't there last time.
Advantage: Wizards
Shooting Guard: James Harden vs. Bradley Beal
Beal scored 37 points against Memphis. That's incredibly impressive considering how good the Grizzlies defense is. He shot 15-24 and 5-7 from 3. If he brings that hot shooting into Houston, it could be trouble for Houston.
Advantage: Rockets
Small Forward: Chandler Parsons vs. Trevor Ariza
It's Bad Game Parsons' turn tonight.
Ariza has turned into a fantastic three point shooter, especially from the corners.
Advantage: Even
Power Forward: Terrence Jones vs. Nene
The Rockets were outrebounded the last time these teams met, with Nene pulling down 10 boards.
Jones had an incredible 19/17 against Washington, so he might draw confidence from that.
Advantage: Rockets
Center: Dwight Howard vs. Marcin Gortat
Anyone else ever watching the #Rockets game and be like..."holy shit...we got Dwight Howard, man!" yep. I still do that from time to time.
— Mike K (@Zepp1978) February 11, 2014
All the time, Mike. All the time.
Advantage: Rockets
Bench
Rockets: Jeremy Lin, Omri Casspi, Omer Asik, Donatas Motiejunas
Wizards: Trevor Booker, Jan Vesely, Martell Webster, Kevin Seraphin, Garrett Temple
Advantage: Rockets
Prediction: Rockets win 108-101.
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