The Rockets are fully healthy again and will be primed for a big stretch. The Sixers, who come in as losers of three in a row, are in for a long night.
Injury free
Injuries kept poking the Houston Rockets for weeks and now it’s finally over. Even sharpshooter Eric Gordon, who missed 22 consecutive games courtesy of a knee surgery, is on the court again. He’ll be on his third game back and is looking better than ever, averaging 16 points and 3.5 threes on 52.6%-shooting since his return.
The Rockets (23-11, 12-4 at home) will be coming off a revenge-driven 130-104 thrashing of the Denver Nuggets. James Harden had his usual numbers – 35 points, six threes, and six assists – while Russell Westbrook scored 28 with a 50% shooting clip. Clint Capela also had a solid return by having yet another double-double – 16 points and 10 boards.
Harden (38.2 PPG) and Westbrook (24.2 PPG, 8 RPG, 7.1 APG), as always, will be the 1-2 punch for Houston, with Capela and Gordon providing their specialty on the interior and outside shooting, respectively.
The slumping Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to get out of a ditch, and they are struggling. Following Wednesday’s 115-97 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Philly has lost three in a row and six of its last nine.
Joel Embiid didn’t play in the Pacers game due to a knee injury but reports say he will be ready to suit up tomorrow. The All-Star big man is putting up 23.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on the season, and will be in an interesting battle with Capela down low.
Look for the outside shooting of Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson to be in full display tomorrow as it will clash with the Rockets’ three-point-heavy attack. Harris only had nine points on 4-for-9 shooting versus Indy and will be itching to fire away, while Richardson is riding a hot streak that has him scoring 17.5 PPG.
Ben Simmons (14.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 8.5 APG, 2.2 SPG) and his stat-stuffing tendencies, meanwhile, could rival Westbrook’s.
PREDICTION:
The Rockets bring the goods on offense again and win, 118-109.
