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2014/15 NBA Season | ||
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@ | (31-6) |
January 16th, 2015 | ||
Toyota Center | ||
7:00 PM CST |
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NBATV | ||
Starting Lineups | ||
Patrick Beverley |
PG | Stephen Curry |
James Harden | SG | Klay Thompson |
Trevor Ariza | SF | Harrison Barnes |
Donatas Motiejunas | PF | Draymond Green |
Dwight Howard |
C | Andrew Bogut |
Also see: Golden State of Mind (Twitter) |
The Golden State Warriors drop into Houston for their fourth game in five nights after dropping only their sixth game of the season in Oklahoma City last night. The Warriors planned ahead by resting Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut before a showdown with James Harden and Dwight Howard. Meanwhile the Rockets are riding a wave powered by James Harden's MVP candidacy, solid defense and big contributions from new hands Corey Brewer and Josh Smith.
The Rockets have dropped both games against the Warriors this season, but played both without an injured Dwight Howard or a yet-to-be-acquired Corey Brewer and Josh Smith. In both games the Rockets filled significant minutes with Nick Johnson, Isaiah Canaan, Tarik Black and others.
Previous Games:
November 8, 2014: Warriors 98 - Rockets 87
Harden had 22 points and the Rockets leaned on Canaan for 21 points. Motiejunas put up a then eyeopening 19 points and 8 rebounds. We've now come to expect that.
Stef Curry did things he normally does for 34 points on 13-19 shooting. Iguodala played 31 minutes off the bench on James Harden duty.
December 11, 2014: Warriors 105 - Rockets 93
Harden led all scorers with 34 points while a pre-trade Rockets were depending on Nick Johnson, Jason Terry and Joey Dorsey for serious minutes.
Andrew Bogut missed this game while Curry, Thompson and Barnes all scored 20+ points.
Game Thoughts:
- Dwight Howard has not played against the Warriors this year. He missed both of the previous matchups.
- Here are the total minutes for some select Rockets in two games against the Warriors this season: Isaiah Canaan 39, Tarik Black 35, Kostas Papnikolaou 29, Jason Terry 57, Joey Dorsey 12, Nick Johnson 19. I'd expect 12 total minutes from this crew tonight.
- The Warriors rested Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut against OKC in anticipation of Dwight Howard and James Harden.