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Rockets Roundup: 12/03/14

Houston Chronicle. Dwight Howard making progress.

“Howard went through low-post drills after the Rockets practices on Tuesday without the pain he felt when jumping off one leg on Saturday night in Milwaukee. He then added full-court sprints for the first time, moving his running from treadmills to the practice floor without setbacks. Howard is still listed as doubtful to play Wednesday against Memphis, the team he faced Nov. 17 before going out with the injury.”

The Dream Shake. Is Donatas Motiejunas ready to take the next step?

“Donatas Motiejunas might be the Houston Rockets’ most important player right now.

James Harden is the beating heart and best chance the Rockets have of winning each game (and eventually the championship), but the rash of injuries to Rockets big men has not just thrust D-Mo into the starting lineup, it’s made him the only NBA-level player taller than 6’8″ on the team. And yes, that includes Tarik Black and Joey Dorsey, who fulfill neither of those qualifications. It’s a huge burden for a player that looked like he might never be ready for it in the first few games of the season.”

Houston Chronicle. Trevor Ariza: Rockets sometimes ‘fall asleep’ in transition defense.

“The Grizzlies do not look to run often, averaging 10.9 fast break points per game to rank 21st in scoring on the break. But against the Rockets, they scored 27 fast break points, by far the most the Rockets have allowed in a game this season having allowed more than 20 in just one other game.

With that in mind, when Rockets forward Trevor Ariza was asked the areas in which the Rockets needed to improve, he quickly pointed to transition defense.”

NBA D-League. Rockets rookie Clint Capela with the facial in Santa Cruz.

Rookie Clint Capela has been called up for Wednesday’s bout with the Grizzlies, as insurance against Memphis’s big men. In the meantime, enjoy this nasty yam over NBA has-been but D-League star Joe Alexander.

 

No, I didn’t forget about you guys. Your Power Rankings fix…

ESPN.com. Power Rankings: Week 5.

“7th. Considering that the Rockets played without three starters for long stretches and managed to trot out their projected starting five just twice, I suspect they are not going to fret too much about where they are in the top 10. Don’t be surprised to see Dwight back for Wednesday’s showdown with Memphis either.”

NBA.com. Power Rankings: Warriors, Grizzlies break through as West’s new powers.

“8th. Houston (13-4)  Pace: 96.1 (10), OffRtg: 101.8 (21), DefRtg: 96.2 (3), NetRtg: +5.6 (7)
The Rockets’ most efficient offensive game came without a point guard against what was a top-five defensive team on Saturday in Milwaukee. Donatas Motiejunas wasn’t a very good shooter with Dwight Howard off the floor last season, but he’s found a groove with Howard out this year, shooting 41-for-73 (56 percent) in the six games the big guy’s missed.”






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