Rockets vs. Wizards game thread: Wacky in Washington

Tonight is quite the eventful game for the Houston Rockets. They're trying to get back above .500, a season-long struggle last year. It's the debut of the James Harden, Corey Brewer, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela starting lineup, in place to keep Eric Gordon running the second unit (The Tyler Ennis Experiment is not long for this world. Get well soon, Bev) and get Brewer on John Wall.

Corey Brewer has historically been the Rockets' emergency point guard defender when the team is without Patrick Beverley. I don't have the time or energy to look up the data on these games, but if the memory and eye test serve, it did not go splendidly. Then again, neither has Eric Gordon guarding point guards.

And it's not like K.J. McDaniels has been that much better defensively; he's been worlds better on offense and in blocking shots, but bad at staying with his assignments on and off the ball, which is kind of a huge problem when your assignment is Wall. Sticking Harden on the dynamic point is not really an option either: that's a recipe for insurmountable foul trouble.

So, Brewer it will be. Maybe not the best option, but a different one than has led to the third-worst defensive team in the league through six games, giving up 111.7 points per 100 possessions. And yes, if you're wondering, that is worse than last year, by a full three points. They can't do nothing: this is a recipe for mediocrity.

Also eventful: I will be there in person. I just bought tickets today so this is a short-notice, impromptu Rockets DC meetup, but if you're in the DC area, tickets are still cheap and available.