The Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors are both going to be glad to have had a break between games, as both teams went to overtime in their previous contests. They both lost, as well, and will be yearning to re-enter the win column.
The Rockets were defeated 135-133 in double overtime against the San Antonio Spurs, while the Raptors got shut down and only scored two points in a 121-110 OT loss to the Miami Heat.
Offense vs. Defense
The Rockets are, as usual, going to rely on production from their two star guards. James Harden is lights out on offense this season. His last ten performances look like something out of a video game. He’s shooting 45.8% from the field, 38.9% from beyond the arc, 87.1% from the free throw line. His stat line from those games: 41.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 2.2 SPG. He also put up 60 points in three quarters against the Hawks in that stretch and 50 against the Spurs.
Russell Westbrook (21.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.5 SPG) is going to need to step up in this game, too. He’s been mercurial this year and has had some quiet performances. Toronto plays an extremely team-oriented style of basketball, which includes great overall defense. It’s going to be hard for Harden to carry the team especially if they zero in on him.
If the game slows down, Clint Capela will also be an important factor for the Rockets. He is averaging the same amount of points as rebounds (15.1) and they’re going to need every one of those boards against the pesky Raptors.
The Raptors will hound the Rockets’ star players at every opportunity. This may lead to good scoring nights for the supporting cast who are well-trained in the art of the spot-up 3.
The Raptors are more than Kawhi
No one expected this from the Raptors coming into the season. After losing their star player to the Clippers in the offseason, the Raptors were supposed to fall in the rankings and be an easy team to beat.
Nick Nurse has done a fantastic job with his team, ensuring that his rotation players are ready to step up when their number is called.
The star, of course, is Pascal Siakam (25.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.9 AST), who is showing signs of turning into an Antetokounmpo-esque player. He’s improving at a phenomenal rate that technically should again see him as a candidate for Most Improved Player – even though that would never happen.
But it’s not a one man team. Kyle Lowry (20.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 7.0 APG) is showing that he’s not over the hill. Fred VanVleet (18.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.4 APG) is showing that his big moments in last year’s title run weren’t a fluke, basically mirroring Lowry’s production.
Serge Ibaka (13.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG) has had his moments this season, showing off a few crafty veteran tricks and generally doing the little things that the team needs him to do. Norman Powell (13.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG) and OG Anunoby (10.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG) also round out the team and are a very important part of the Raptors defensive schemes.
A big X-Factor could also be Chris Boucher. He doesn’t have impressive stats for the most part (5.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG) but he is actually leading the team with a player efficiency rating of 21.18. He’s also a player that isn’t afraid to go up against the big dogs, and his fourth quarter defense was a big reason behind the Raptors’ victory against the Lakers earlier in the season.
Prediction
The Raptors take advantage of their home court advantage to take a close 118-112 victory.
Pascal Siakam should manage to hit over 23.5 points as the Raptor’s best option against a sometimes-shaky Houston wing defense.
