Definitive Guide to Warriors vs. Rockets and Friday's NBA Action
It must be Friday night, because it's gut-check time.
Only, no hangover medicine will be needed after enjoying the night's 10-game slate in the Association.
Still, as is always the case, responsible enjoyment is a necessity, not an option. There's plenty of business to be taken care of.
The Washington Wizards have a prime chance to polish their playoff resume with the slumping Milwaukee Bucks headed to the nation's capital. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks will tussle for a claim to one of the very much available top-four seeds in the hobbled Eastern Conference.
There's finally a fire for the New York Knicks to keep burning one night after handing their intracity rival Brooklyn Nets a 30-point drubbing. There are statements to be made in New Orleans and Phoenix.
The night's creme de la creme features two of the West's on-paper bests. But with the Golden State Warriors splitting their last 10 games and the Houston Rockets riding a two-game skid, both need that on-paper talent to appear in their on-court performances.
For the basketball world, this is a schedule worth savoring without limits. And your body won't even have to bear the brunt of your gluttonous entertainment come Saturday morning.
Friday Night's Lineup
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Bobcats, 7 p.m. ET
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m. ET
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. ET
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m. ET
Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns, 9 p.m. ET
Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. ET
*Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
Best Matchup of the Night: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
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Playoff basketball makes a rare early December appearance.
If these two teams find a way to tango in the postseason, consider that seven-game series a gift from the hoops gods.
The talent on both teams is massive, even if a few notable names might be missing from the action in this contest (more on that later).
But as mentioned in the Intro, that talent hasn't been so apparent of late.
For just the second time this season, Houston has dropped back-to-back games. And that had nothing to do with a vengeful schedule-maker striking his revenge.
The Rockets dropped a head-scratcher in Utah on Monday and then returned home for a nine-point loss to the Suns two nights later.
While the Warriors have notched consecutive victories, neither one inspired a lot of confidence. They survived a 115-113 scare from the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and rallied from a 27-point deficit to steal a 112-103 win against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Both teams should bring their running shoes, as this could evolve into a track meet early. That or a shooting range.
"We have a lot of shooters," Warriors gunner Klay Thompson said, via Eli Kaberon on Yahoo! Sports. "As a shooter you've got to be a continuous player, not worry about the last shot and just let it fly."
The Warriors and Rockets each average 10.2 threes per game, which is the second-highest mark in the league. It's probably a good idea to pack an umbrella for this one. Three-point bombs should be raining all night long.
Must-See Individual Matchup: Russell Westbrook vs. Jrue Holiday
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This game features two former UCLA Bruins, two players possessing elite athletic gifts and two floor generals who understand their leadership is needed at both ends of the floor.
If point guards were manufactured in factories, the final products would look like these two athletes.
Maybe Jrue Holiday and Russell Westbrook were actually built on the assembly line. That would explain why they're so comfortable operating high-powered machinery.
Holiday's Pelicans have the league's fifth-most efficient offensive attack (105.9 points per 100 possessions). Considering the moving pieces that New Orleans added this summer (Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Anthony Morrow), the ones it played without early on (Ryan Anderson to start the season, rising star Anthony Davis now) and the fact that it's still so early, there's substantial room for improvement going forward.
Holiday looks right at home in the Big Easy after spending the first four seasons of his career in Philly. He's tallied career bests in assists (8.1), three-point percentage (42.9) and player efficiency rating (17.5).
Westbrook's Oklahoma City Thunder have taken a more defensive-minded approach, but they're still able to strike the scoreboard at a moment's notice. Having a pair of 20-plus-point scorers—a luxury enjoyed by only five teams this season—has that effect.
Perhaps still slowed by the two knee procedures this year, Westbrook is still searching for his offensive rhythm. While he's poured in 20.6 points a night, he's shooting a career-worst 39.4 percent from the field.
If this game is going to be his "Aha!" moment, then Holiday will make him work for it. From a viewer's perspective, what more could you ask for?
Who Has the Most on the Line?
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Finally, there's some good news surrounding the New York Knicks.
But, of course, it comes with an asterisk.
Before Thursday night, New York's biggest win was a 10-point victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Nov. 8. The Knicks tripled that margin in their 113-83 rout of the battered and bruised Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
Bolstered by a torrid three-point attack (16-of-27), the Knicks blitzed the Nets defense from all angles. Carmelo Anthony's 19 points were the highest among the six New York players who reached double figures.
The Knicks outscored the Nets in all four quarters, closing the contest early with a 34-16 edge in the third.
"We finally put a 48-minute game together," coach Mike Woodson said, via USA Today.
Of course, a lot of teams have put 48 minutes together against these Nets. New York's challenge is to use this as a launching point and not let it be an anomaly.
The last time that New York won consecutive games (April 20-26), Jason Kidd was still a player, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers were still Boston Celtics, and the Empire State still produced watchable basketball.
That elusive sustained success has never looked more attainable. The Magic (6-12) are competitive at home, but borderline helpless on the road (1-7).
Knocking off Orlando won't buy the Knicks many style points. But even in this fashion-conscious market, style points aren't what matter for this team.
Injury Report
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Here's a quick rundown of the players who might miss out on Friday's action.
Boston Celtics
Rajon Rondo (Knee)
While he's slowly increased his activity level, Rondo remains without a return timetable, The Boston Globe's Baxter Holmes reports. If anyone wants an assists crown, now is the time to start that pursuit.
Golden State Warriors
Andre Iguodala (Hamstring)
It's been two weeks since Iguodala last suited up for the Dubs, but coach Mark Jackson says his stopper is moving "closer and closer" to returning, via Matt Schwab of the Bay Area News Group. But that doesn't mean he's Friday-night close; he's officially listed as questionable.
Houston Rockets
Chandler Parsons (Back)
Back spasms have kept Parsons out of Houston's last two games and hang a questionable status over his availability for Friday. Maybe the basketball gods figure if the Warriors can't have their Swiss Army knife, then the Rockets can't have theirs either.
Jeremy Lin (Knee)
Jeremy Lin made it through a shooting session on Thursday, but the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen reports that the point guard doesn't have a return date just yet. Something tells me this isn't the biggest pressure that Lin has ever felt.
Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant (Achilles)
The Black Mamba is closing on his return, but that won't be happening on Friday, via Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. Maybe he's just waiting to hang 81 more points on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Think that might silence his critics?
Pau Gasol (Ankle)
Gasol has a mild ankle sprain, but the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus reports that the big man is not expected to miss any time. This hobbled rotation could hardly afford another absence.
Steve Nash (Back)
Per Bresnahan, coach Mike D'Antoni admitted it could be weeks before Nash can get back out on the floor. Assuming he eventually does make it back, of course.
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis (Hand)
Davis is sidelined indefinitely with a broken hand, via The Associated Press, but he at least managed to avoid the need for surgery. Still, it feels like Roy Hibbert just tightened his grip on Defensive Player of the Year honors.
New York Knicks
Tyson Chandler (Leg)
Chandler could be back on the practice floor next week, via SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria. If only there was a way for the Knicks to play every game against the Nets until he returns.
Philadelphia 76ers
Michael Carter-Williams (Knee)
The triple-dipper and Rookie of the Year front-runner did not make the trip for Friday's game, USA Today's Jason Wolf reports. He's officially "day-to-day."
Sacramento Kings
DeMarcus Cousins (Ankle)
"Boogie" missed Sacramento's last game, but CowbellKingdom.com's Jonathan Santiago said the big man will be back on Friday. Too bad he won't have the chance to blow off a Mamba handshake.
Pop-in Potential: Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns
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Remember what I said about playoff basketball in December earlier?
Well, none of that applies here.
Sure, the Suns and Raptors could both scratch out a postseason berth. I mean, the East is atrocious, and Phoenix has been a lot better than advertised.
But I'll go out on a limb and say this is not an NBA Finals preview.
It could be an All-Star weekend preview, though. Between Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Eric Bledsoe and Gerald Green, this could look a lot like the Slam Dunk Contest.
Then there are the unknown factors adding to the appeal.
Could the Raptors blow another 27-point lead? Will "mini LeBron" pull off his best impression of the King and tally a triple-double?
Plus, an excuse to see Jonas Valanciunas is never a bad thing. Assuming, of course, the Raptors remember to give him a touch every now and then.
Fantasy Stockwatch
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With 10 games on the docket, you should be well-stocked with available bodies to fill your lineups.
Go with your gut, balance that with your brain and then plug these three players in to solidify your decisions.
The Big Guns
Harden was horrendous his last time out—as bad as he's been in a long time (3-of-17 from the field, 0-of-10 from three).
But this could be the bounce-back game he needs.
If Iguodala is out, Golden State's defense will have a lot of holes. The Warriors sometimes sleep on opposing shooters, and their interior defenders can get a little foul happy; all of that is good news for Harden.
Throw in the fact that Houston could use a signature win, and this could be a signature moment on Harden's end-of-the-year highlight reel.
Does it even matter who the Milwaukee Bucks trot out at point guard? Do names like Brandon Knight, Luke Ridnour and Nate Wolters scare John Wall owners?
They shouldn't.
The Bucks have been bad at both ends of the floor, but it's that leaky defense that holds the biggest appeal. With no Larry Sanders manning the middle and no one stopping Wall's penetration outside, Washington's speedster is primed for a big night.
He has notched double-doubles in his last two games, and that streak should continue on Friday.
The Sleeper
Jared Sullinger
For the first time in a long time, the Boston Celtics are flying under the radar. So, you're given a pass if you've missed Sully's hot stretch.
But that pass will be revoked if he's not in your lineup soon.
Since cracking Brad Stevens' starting five on Nov. 20, the big man has averaged 15.0 points and 9.6 rebounds in 31.5 minutes a night. Denver has a talented frontcourt with J.J. Hickson and Kenneth Faried, but neither is the most disciplined defender.
Look for Sully's high IQ and energy to carry him to a strong performance.
