The Dream Shake - Game 1: Rockets and Dwight Howard host the Bobcats in the season opener!The best footwork on the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/34031/32x32.png2013-10-31T08:00:08-05:00http://www.thedreamshake.com/rss/stream/48124012013-10-31T08:00:08-05:002013-10-31T08:00:08-05:00Video: Highlights from the season opener
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets got off to a good start on Wednesday night, notching a victory over the Bobcats. We have your video highlights here.</p> <p>Dwight Howard made his debut with the Rockets on Wednesday night, and it was one to remember. The free agent signing notched 17 points and 26 rebounds in the season opener, and the Rockets pulled away late to beat the Bobcats 96-83.</p>
<p>We have your video highlights here courtesy of NBA.com:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LhHzb_o6bSg" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h4>More from The Dream Shake:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5049100/dwight-howard-houston-rockets-charlotte-bobcats-final-score-recap?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Dwight Howard grabs 26 rebounds as Rockets beat Bobcats in season opener</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5049026/patrick-beverley-goes-down-with-a-rib-injury-against-bobcats?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Patrick Beverley goes down with a rib injury against Bobcats</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5047038/call-your-shot-where-do-the-houston-rockets-finish-this-year?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Call Your Shot: Where do the Houston Rockets Finish This Year?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5043666/former-rockets-executive-gersson-rosas-and-mavericks-part-ways?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Former Rockets executive Gersson Rosas and Mavericks part ways</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-preview?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets-Charlotte Bobcats game preview</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/31/5049754/video-highlights-from-the-rockets-victory-over-the-bobcatsPatrick Harrel2013-10-30T21:27:20-05:002013-10-30T21:27:20-05:00Recap: Howard leads Rockets over Bobcats
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets are 1-0 after taking down the Bobcats in their season opener. Turns out, this Dwight Howard dude is pretty good.</p> <p>It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy, but they got the result they wanted. In their season opener facing the loftiest of expectations, the Rockets, led by Dwight Howard and his 17 points and 26 rebounds, got a 96-83 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats at the Toyota Center.</p>
<p>It was a game punctuated by its ugliness, and neither team seemed particularly interested in playing their best basketball. The Rockets missed seven out of their ten first free throws, and neither Chandler Parsons and James Harden were able to gain any traction offensively for three quarters. As the game wore on, however, Harden broke out of his early slump and helped propel a lethargic Rockets offense to the victory in a big fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Without Francisco Garcia, the Rockets may just have lost this game. Garcia led the Rockets offensively for most of the game, drilling everything he looked at, and finished with 19 points on the night. As so many players were struggling from the floor early on, Garcia's steadying presence off the bench was exactly what they needed from the veteran wing.</p>
<p>Let's dig deeper into this game, analyzing three different aspects of the season opener.</p>
<h4>The Twin Towers grab every board in sight</h4>
<p>We knew Dwight Howard was a good rebounder, we just didn't know he was this good. From the start, Howard made his presence known in the paint, gobbling up rebound after rebound, and just two minutes into the second half, he had already grabbed 20 rebounds on the night, a total which would have been the third most in any game for the Rockets last year.</p>
<p>On the game, he tied his career high with 26 rebounds, and simply controlled the paint whenever a shot went up. And when he went to the bench, his center counterpart Omer Asik picked up the slack, grabbing 14 boards himself.</p>
<p>It's obvious that it's nice to have a pair of strong centers who can play down low, but we saw just how valuable that pairing was tonight. Despite playing against a pretty darn good rebounder in Al Jefferson, the Rockets absolutely manhandled Charlotte down low, out-rebounding the Bobcats 54-37.</p>
<h4>Injuries, injuries, injuries</h4>
<p>You have to hope this is not a sign of things to come. Going into the season opener, the Rockets were expected to play three different guards in their rotation. By the end of the first half, all three guards had retreated to the locker room to be treated for a different injury.</p>
<p>Harden was the first to go, dealing with a tight lower back that needed to be stretched out. After getting it worked on, he quickly returned to the bench. He looked a step slower than usual all night, and was not able to get the same elevation that he usually gets, but improved throughout the game and had a 16 point fourth quarter. Lin would go later in the first half, getting a cut on his chin that couldn't be fixed easily on the bench.</p>
<p>The most troubling injury, however, was Patrick Beverley's, who went to the locker room early in the second quarter with a rib injury. He would return to the bench, but was knocked out for the game after getting x-rays. Let's hope they don't find a crack later on, because that would be an injury that could affect him for the next few months.</p>
<h4>Rockets give some clarity on the rotation</h4>
<p>All preseason, we tried to decipher exactly who would be in the rotation for the Rockets. Tonight, the Rockets game some clues as to who would be in the rotation, essentially going with an eight man rotation until the injury to Beverley.</p>
<p>Assuming the rotation holds, it appears that McHale will be going with his starting lineups along with Lin, Casspi, and Garcia off the bench. The Rockets made their first subs at the six minute mark of the first quarter, bringing on Lin and Casspi for Beverley and Asik, and tended to maximize the amount of time Howard played alongside four shooters.</p>
<p>Overall, the Rockets made sure that one of Asik and Howard were on the floor at every time, and it paid dividends. The Bobcats were unable to get anything going down low all game, and the Rockets held on for the victory.</p>
<p>It wasn't pretty, but at the end of the day, the Rockets are 1-0.</p>
<h4>More from The Dream Shake:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5049026/patrick-beverley-goes-down-with-a-rib-injury-against-bobcats?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Patrick Beverley goes down with a rib injury against Bobcats</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5023166/houston-rockets-predictions-season-opener-dwight-howard-james-harden?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">12 Big Predictions For This Rockets Season</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5047038/call-your-shot-where-do-the-houston-rockets-finish-this-year?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Call Your Shot: Where do the Houston Rockets Finish This Year?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-preview?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets-Charlotte Bobcats game preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5043666/former-rockets-executive-gersson-rosas-and-mavericks-part-ways?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Former Rockets executive Gersson Rosas and Mavericks part ways</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5049100/dwight-howard-houston-rockets-charlotte-bobcats-final-score-recapPatrick Harrel2013-10-30T20:38:44-05:002013-10-30T20:38:44-05:00Beverley ruled out with rib injury
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets starting point guard didn't last long in the season opener before going down with an injury.</p> <p>Patrick Beverley lasted just ten minutes as the Houston Rockets starting point guard before he went down with an injury. Early in the second quarter, Beverley headed to the locker room with a rib injury, before the doctors there ruled him out for the rest of the game.</p>
<p>Lin would replace him in the second quarter, with Brooks backing him up. At the start of the second half, the Rockets left Lin in the lineup, returning him to the spot that he had taken away a few days before.</p>
<p>The Rockets endured a crazy rash of injuries in the first half, with Harden going to the locker room with tightness early in the game, followed by Beverley and his rib injury, and later by Jeremy Lin who was cut on his chin. Let's hope the first half isn't foreshadowing for what is to come during the season. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.</p>
<h4>More from The Dream Shake:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-preview?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets-Charlotte Bobcats game preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5047038/call-your-shot-where-do-the-houston-rockets-finish-this-year?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Call Your Shot: Where do the Houston Rockets Finish This Year?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5048330/houston-rockets-vs-charlotte-bobcats-opening-night-tip-off-time-and?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Bobcats: Opening night tip-off time and TV broadcast information</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5023166/houston-rockets-predictions-season-opener-dwight-howard-james-harden?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">12 Big Predictions For This Rockets Season</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5043062/houston-rockets-patrick-beverley-jeremy-lin-starting-point-guard?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets to start Patrick Beverley over Jeremy Lin on opening night</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5049026/patrick-beverley-goes-down-with-a-rib-injury-against-bobcatsPatrick Harrel2013-10-30T18:04:13-05:002013-10-30T18:04:13-05:00Opening Night Gamethread!
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It's finally time. Buckle up Rockets fans, we're in for one hell of a ride. Daryl Morey has put together a squad with championship aspirations and I for one think those goals can be realized in the near future.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" height="666" align="center" width="577" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2013/2014 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/2045141/charlotte_bobcats.png"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/2045141/charlotte_bobcats_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Charlotte_bobcats_medium"></a> <br>(0-0)</center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><center> <center><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91861/Houston_medium.gif" alt="Houston_medium"></center> <center>(0-0)</center> </center></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>October 30th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Toyota Center, Houston, TX</td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM CST</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>CSN Houston, 790AM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kemba Walker</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Patrick Beverley</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Gerald Henderson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>James Harden</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Chandler Parsons</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Josh McRoberts</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Omer Asik</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Al Jefferson</span></span></span></span></span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Dwight Howard</span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>91.5 (17th of 30)</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">96.1 (1st of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>101.5 (28th of 30)</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">109.7 (6th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>111.5 (30th of 30)</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">106.1 (15th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><p>Also see: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/">Rufus on Fire</a> (<a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/2013/10/30/5046054/charlotte-bobcats-at-houston-rockets-game-preview">Preview</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Rufus_On_Fire">Twitter</a>) | <span>Stream</span></p></th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p><strong>Tweets:</strong></p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet"> <p>Who's excited 4 <a href="https://twitter.com/DwightHoward">@DwightHoward</a> debut 2night! Jim Parsons (Sheldon on Big Bang Theory) nailed why in his pitch video <a href="http://t.co/NPXE6lBr3K">http://t.co/NPXE6lBr3K</a></p>— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmorey/statuses/395677154572132354">October 30, 2013</a> </blockquote>
<p><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet"> <p>Hearing Al Jefferson will give it a go. No big surprise. Makes things more interesting vs. Asik and Howard.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/statuses/395678389748502528">October 30, 2013</a> </blockquote>
<p><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet"> <p>Beverley on the outside response to him starting: I don't have a lot of friends. I don't talk to people.</p>— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedNinetyFour/statuses/395683955141128192">October 30, 2013</a> </blockquote>
<p><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p><strong>Player to watch:</strong></p>
<p></p>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"> <h2><span>James Harden</span></h2> <h4 class="player-position">#13 / Guard / <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> </h4> <div class="player_info_body"> <p><label>Height:</label> 6-5</p> <p><label>Weight:</label> 220</p> <p><label>Born:</label> Aug 26, 1989</p> <p><label>College:</label> Arizona State</p> </div> </div>
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<p><strong>The conversation starts now.</strong></p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5048256/game-1-charlotte-bobcats-vs-houston-rocketsthomasfenoglio2013-10-30T17:14:22-05:002013-10-30T17:14:22-05:00Opening night TV information and tip-off time
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<p>The Rockets tip off their season tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats. Get all the information for the game here!</p> <p>Dwight Howard and James Harden start their campaign for an NBA Championship tonight as the Charlotte Bobcats visit Houston to take on the Rockets, and it promises to be a thriller. Here we're going to give you all the information on the season opener at the Toyota Center tonight.</p>
<p><b>Tip-off time: 7 pm CST</b></p>
<p><b>TV Coverage: CSN Houston or NBA League Pass for those outside of the blackout area</b></p>
<p><i>Note: NBA League Pass Broadband is free until November 5th, so go ahead and take advantage</i></p>
<p><b>Opposing SB Nation Blog: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rufusonfire.com">Rufus on Fire</a></b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-preview" target="_blank">TDS Preview here!</a></p>
<h4>More from The Dream Shake:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5047038/call-your-shot-where-do-the-houston-rockets-finish-this-year?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Call Your Shot: Where do the Houston Rockets Finish This Year?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-preview?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets-Charlotte Bobcats game preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5041470/why-patrick-beverley-should-start-over-jeremy-lin-at-point-guard-for?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Why Patrick Beverley should start over Jeremy Lin at point guard for the Rockets</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5043062/houston-rockets-patrick-beverley-jeremy-lin-starting-point-guard?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Houston Rockets to start Patrick Beverley over Jeremy Lin on opening night</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/29/5023166/houston-rockets-predictions-season-opener-dwight-howard-james-harden?utm_source=thedreamshake&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">12 Big Predictions For This Rockets Season</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5048330/houston-rockets-vs-charlotte-bobcats-opening-night-tip-off-time-andPatrick Harrel2013-10-30T09:00:10-05:002013-10-30T09:00:10-05:00Rockets-Bobcats game preview
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<figcaption>Once they were foes. Now they're bros. | Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets open the regular season by welcoming the Charlotte Bobcats to the Toyota Center. </p> <p>It's finally here! After the longest offseason in the history of ever, the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> open their 2013-2014 campaign tonight in Houston. The preseason has provided great signs for the Rockets, but now the games matter.</p>
<p>The front office has been working towards this summer ever since Daryl Morey traded Tracy McGrady. The players have been working towards this season since May. The Rockets won the offseason by winning the Dwight Howard Sweepstakes and added at least one solid rotation player in <span>Omri Casspi</span> (THE PLAYA FROM JUDEA!!!). Add to that the natural talent progression of young players (James Harden, Chandler Parsons, <span>Jeremy Lin</span>, <span>Patrick Beverley</span>) and the Rockets could potentially be an elite team this season. It won't always look pretty, but it's sure going to be fun.</p>
<p>Normally, the beginning of preview will be composed of my thoughts on the previous game (if I watched it) as well as broad statements about the Rockets and their opponent. Since there is no previous regular season game to draw on so far, today's broad strokes will be some basic reminders about TDS policy for the game preview and game thread, followed by the actual matchups that you so love and crave.</p>
<p>-No personal attacks. This one is easy folks. It takes a lot to get banned here. We allow swearing (which few other sites do, if any) and the general tomfoolery, but personal attacks or offensive slurs will get you kicked out in an instant. If you see that someone else has made a comment that falls into this category, please flag it. That makes it easier for the writers to see and deal with.</p>
<p>-No links to streams. I know the CSN situation sucks, but that's an SB Nation policy that we have to maintain. Ask around on twitter and you'll probably get your answer. But don't ask here.</p>
<p>-Be kind to outsiders. This isn't an SBN policy per se, but it's an AK policy. If fans of other teams come here and legitimately want to discuss hoops, please treat them with respect and decency. If they come to troll, flag their comments and ignore them. This usually isn't a problem, but I just wanted to reiterate.</p>
<p><b>Tip off is at 7pm CST.</b></p>
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<p>Matchups:</p>
<p><b>Point Guard: Patrick Beverley vs. <span>Kemba Walker</span></b></p>
<p>Kemba Walker thrashed the Rockets to the tune of 35 and 24 points in the two matchups last year. Walker is a quick but also physical point guard, which was a combo that gave Lin fits last year (see: Westbrook, Russell). I don't know if Walker will go off tonight, but a common theme from last year was a poor all-around defense outside of Omer Asik.</p>
<p>Beverley has to make Walker's life miserable. If he can, the Rockets could have this in the bag. The depth behind Walker is <span>Ramon Sessions</span>, who is a smart point guard if not the most athletic. These are the guys that Lin absolutely destroys, and it's why I think Walker is the key to the game.</p>
<p>Advantage:<b> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobcats</a></b></p>
<p><b>Shooting Guard: <span>James Harden</span> vs. <span>Gerald Henderson</span></b></p>
<p>Henderson averaged 16/4/3 last year for the Bobcats and was rewarded with a 3-year, $18 million contract. He didn't play very well against the Rockets last season, but that was last season. Henderson isn't a fantastic three-point shooter, which seems to be the bugaboo for the Bobcats in general.</p>
<p>The last time these teams met in Houston, Harden got his first career triple double. I look forward to leaving the advantage in the Rockets' favor all season.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Rockets</b></p>
<p><b>Small Forward: <span>Chandler Parsons</span> vs. <span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span></b></p>
<p>Despite the general bashing of the Bobcats by the media, I like a lot of the moves that they've made. That's especially apparent in the draft. I really liked MKG's game at Kentucky. He finished with averages of 9/6 in his rookie season and made the second-team All-Rookie squad. He could be an absolute monster if he develops his jump shot further and continues to work on his defense.</p>
<p>Parsons is the obvious X-factor for the Rockets this season. Last year's second-leading scorer for the team, Parsons will have to take his jack-of-all-trades abilities to the next step. On certain nights the team will need him to create. On other nights the team will only need him to defend and make open threes and timely cuts. How he adjusts to the situation will dictate just where the Rockets line up among the top 6 teams in the loaded Western Conference.</p>
<p>Advantage:<b> Rockets</b></p>
<p><b>Power Forward: Dwight Howard vs. Cody Zeller</b></p>
<p>If you know me at all, you know that I'm a huge Texas Tech fan (my alma mater). But if you know me as a basketball fan, you know that there's two college basketball teams that I love: Gonzaga and Indiana. I love the programs, the locations, the atmosphere at the games, the styles of play, and especially their coaches. So it's no surprise that I've had a basketball man-crush on Cody Zeller for the last two years. I don't know if his game will translate to the NBA, but he's definitely better than Tyler Hansbrough. And Psycho T has carved out a decent career in the league as a rotation big. And Zeller runs the court really well, earning him the nickname "The Gazeller" in college. He was also called "The Big Handsome," but that doesn't really apply here.</p>
<p>You might have heard about Dwight Howard. Most of us remember where we were on that fateful July 5th afternoon when Sam Amick broke the story that Dwight had chosen the Rockets.</p>
<p>Then we all remember where we were when Chris Broussard and Alex Kennedy tried to spoil our fun with the "50-50" situation. Broussard and Kennedy had tried to ruin our fun all week because they are <strike>soulless bastards that love Los Angeles for all the obnoxious reasons</strike> reporters.</p>
<p>All of that leads to tonight and this season. Oh man it's going to be fun.</p>
<p>Advantage:<b> Rockets</b></p>
<p><b>Center: <span>Omer Asik</span> vs. <span>Al Jefferson</span></b></p>
<p>I'm higher on Jefferson than most people. Admittedly, he took the money this offseason instead of gunning for a ring. I expect him to play out this contract and then take a pay cut to play for a contender. But for now, he's a focal point in this offseason and is one of the few back-to-the-basket powers left in the league. He can back you down, he can hit that fade away, or he can turn and face you up to set up the triple threat. He's no joke, and he's going to get the ball a lot. The Rockets will have to attack him on defense and try to get him out of the game. The only issue is that his backup blocked the Rockets approximately 329 times in two games last season.</p>
<p>The goal for Asik is simple tonight, just like it will be most nights: defend the paint at your usual elite level and do the little things on offense like setting picks and screens. Asik can average 0 points per game and no one will care. He might be the only starter in the league where that's true. But that doesn't make his life any easier. Tonight will be a tough matchup against a physical Big Al.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Bobcats</b></p>
<p><b>Bench</b></p>
<p>Rockets: Jeremy Lin, <span>Francisco Garcia</span>, Omri Casspi, <span>Donatas Motiejunas</span>, <span>Terrence Jones</span>. Is AK disappointed that we don't get the "Reggie Williams vs. his former team" angle? Yes. Yes he is.</p>
<p><span></span>Bobcats: Ramon Sessions, <span>Ben Gordon</span>, Jeffery Taylor, <span>Josh McRoberts</span>, <span>Anthony Tolliver</span>, <span>Bismack Biyombo</span></p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Even-not a bad bench group for the Bobcats on paper</b></p>
<p>Prediction: This shouldn't be close; Rockets win 115-91.</p>
<p><span>Bobcats vs Rockets coverage</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/">Rufus on Fire</a></p>
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https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/10/30/5033576/rockets-bobcats-game-previewArmin Khansari