James Harden and Dwight Howard will miss Thursday's game against the Warriors

Before you get set to watch the Rockets bench mob take on the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors tonight, catch up with all the recent Rockets news.

James Harden, Dwight Howard expected to miss Thursday's game | ESPN

Let the slew of injuries begin... But in all seriousness, there's no need to play Harden or Howard every preseason game. I mean, it's not like there are five other players competing for the last roster spot.

2015-16 NBA Preview: This Could Be The Rockets’ Year | FiveThirtyEight

If you love advanced statistics as much as I do, then you'll love this preview of the Rockets by FiveThirtyEight using their new player projection system, CARMELO (only 52 wins? Really?). Ed. Note: I asked about this on Twitter and the response I got: statistical projections tend to be a little more conservative.)

Houston Rockets are an underrated NBA title contender | The Cauldron

Yeah, yeah we know Dwight Howard is the most hated player in the NBA and James Harden doesn't play basketball the right way, blah, blah, blah. However, Sports Illustrated attempts to rationalize the lack of attention on the Rockets, and why they seem to be lost in the shuffle of possible title contenders.

Clint Capela stepping up for Rockets in Dwight Howard’s absence | Ultimate Rockets

Clint Capela has looked like the second coming of Hakeem Olajuwon he has taken a major step forward this preseason. It seems he has Kevin McHale's trust now, which means we'll be able to see the Swiss dunk machine play a feature role for the Rockets this season, something I (and everyone else should be) am extremely excited about.

Sam Dekker learning, improving | ESPN

Sam Dekker has looked like a deer in headlights for most of the preseason. However tentative and shaky he has looked so far is just part of the transition to the NBA, as Calvin Watkins writes about here.