Rockets @ Suns game thread 1-12-18

[Mainstreet]

On Friday the Rockets play the Suns in Phoenix. Game time is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will be televised on FSAZ and ESPN.

It should be a fun game to watch although the Suns will likely be shorthanded. Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss and Isaiah Canaan may not play.

 

[Mainstreet]

Injury notes:

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Suns listing Josh Jackson (right hip strain) as doubtful for Friday. Chriss is out. Canaan questionable

1:40 PM - 11 Jan 2018

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Marquese Chriss is out Friday with hip flexor. Dragan Bender will start in his place. Isaiah Canaan practiced today but availability still uncertain

12:15 PM - 11 Jan 2018

 

[Hoop Head]

Downside of playing the most games in the league during the first half of the season is now things will even out and there's more downtime between games. Having 4 days of rest before playing the Rockets will help them have fresh legs and since the Rockets are without Harden it's a winnable game. More rest will help them in some matchups as well, even as their schedule gets harder.

Looking at their schedule they only have 5 back-to-back's left, January 28th-29th on the road in Houston and then in Memphis. February 6th & 7th in LA against the Lakers and then at home for the Spurs. Against the Clippers and Blazers at home on February 23rd & 24th. They'll be on the road on March 4th and 5th against the Hawks & Heat. Their last will March 23rd and 24th in Cleveland and then in Orlando. That seems like a long trip for a back to back.

 

[Mainstreet]

Harden or not I think the Rockets will tough to handle for the Suns especially if Chriss, Jackson and Canaan do not play.

From the ESPN Preview.

Guards Chris Paul, Eric Gordon and Gerald Green have stepped up in the five games that MVP candidate Harden has missed because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, and at no time was that more evident than in a 121-112 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Paul scored a season-high 37 points and Gordon added 30 in the victory over the Trail Blazers, Houston's third win in five games without Harden.

The Rockets (29-11) will bring their momentum from strong backcourt performances into a game against the Suns (16-26) in Phoenix on Friday.

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400975372

 

[Hoop Head]

I saw that the Rockets guaranteed Gerald Green's contract through the season. He's played well for them so far and he's the sort of player that should thrive in a D'Antoni offense.

The Rockets will be missing more than just Harden tomorrow. They also have Tarick Black, Luc Mbah a Moute, Nene, Troy Williams, and Zhou Qi out. Their IR looks similar to the Suns in regards to how many players they'll be missing. Only Harden and Luc Mbah a Moute are rotation players but Nene has been out all season and he was part of the rotation last season.

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[Mainstreet]

I saw that the Rockets guaranteed Gerald Green's contract through the season. He's played well for them so far and he's the sort of player that should thrive in a D'Antoni offense.

The Rockets will be missing more than just Harden tomorrow. They also have Tarick Black, Luc Mbah a Moute, Nene, Troy Williams, and Zhou Qi out. Their IR looks similar to the Suns in regards to how many players they'll be missing. Only Harden and Luc Mbah a Moute are rotation players but Nene has been out all season and he was part of the rotation last season.

The Rockets are 4-10 in their last ten games so it is starting to show but I think DA will have the Rockets ready to play tomorrow. If not, it could make for a sweet win.

 

[Hoop Head]

Sweet win but the wins now hurt a little bit, since pingpong balls are more in play at this point in the season than they were back in October when some people counting them. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a move at the deadline to try and make a playoff push. If it brings in a good PG though I can't fault them for trying, it sucks we'll miss out on the top prospects of this draft but the way that our youngsters are playing right now the future is looking bright regardless of who they draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

Sweet win but the wins now hurt a little bit, since pingpong balls are more in play at this point in the season than they were back in October when some people counting them. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a move at the deadline to try and make a playoff push. If it brings in a good PG though I can't fault them for trying, it sucks we'll miss out on the top prospects of this draft but the way that our youngsters are playing right now the future is looking bright regardless of who they draft.

I try not to worry about the ping pong balls (although I do occasionally), however, if the Suns can snag a good player at the trade deadline via trade and draft BPA, I can live with it.

The Suns should be able to move around a bit in the draft although not into the top five.

In the second round I hope the Suns can stash a player or two overseas.

Fans need to accept the Suns might be ready to take the next step forward. If they do, this is a good thing not a bad thing. It's not like the Suns haven't been drafting in the top ten from time to time. It's time for their draft picks to start paying off.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm fine with them taking the next step but this month in particular will be difficult to follow since we're right in the middle of competing for the playoffs and competing for a top pick. 5 games from a playoff spot and 4 games from the bottom of the Western standings. Once things clear up some I'll accept the decision the team makes but I haven't given up on getting a top pick completely. There is the chance for some lottery luck as well as the possibility of trading someone to get up there. I think Chriss and Bender playing well will help their trade value if the Suns decide to make a move involving one of them during the draft. I'm not sure how other teams view them but personally I'd trade either to get into the top 5.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I’m just looking forward to watching Booker and Jackson for the first time in a while.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm fine with them taking the next step but this month in particular will be difficult to follow since we're right in the middle of competing for the playoffs and competing for a top pick. 5 games from a playoff spot and 4 games from the bottom of the Western standings. Once things clear up some I'll accept the decision the team makes but I haven't given up on getting a top pick completely. There is the chance for some lottery luck as well as the possibility of trading someone to get up there. I think Chriss and Bender playing well will help their trade value if the Suns decide to make a move involving one of them during the draft. I'm not sure how other teams view them but personally I'd trade either to get into the top 5.

Anything can happen. The Suns are anything but proven. However, I think the Suns need to create their own luck looking at draft history.

I don't think Chriss or Bender can get the Suns into the top five without throwing in a couple of first round picks... maybe not then. Personally I want the draft to come to the Suns less some tweaking. I'm leaning towards the Suns keeping their youth and adding to it.

 

[pokerface]

Like poop said we are we are battling for playoffs and top lottery slot (which seems crazy). This is such a grey area to be in plus the Miami pick sux which further clouds everything. I think a holding pattern should be in place right now until we get a sense of what direction things are heading.


Sometimes no move is the best move.

 

[Mainstreet]

It does seem crazy but this is where they are at the moment.

If the Suns can't win in the lottery let's hope they can draft wisely and make a key trade.

 

[Adrian]

Craig Grialou‏Verified account@CraigAZSports 10m10 minutes ago
Jackson though post-shootaround said, "I don't think I'm playing tonight"; got hurt vs. OKC; hasn't practiced, just treatment and shooting

 

[Adrian]

Craig Grialou‏Verified account@CraigAZSports 12m12 minutes ago
No Chriss (right hip strain) tonight; Canaan (left adductor strain) is probable and Jackson (right hip strain) is questionable

 

[Adrian]

Craig Grialou
@CraigAZSports

By the way, this will be the first game Chriss has missed in his NBA career (124 straight games); also, he never missed a game in his one year at Washington

 

[Cheesebeef]

Crap... so no Chriss or Jackson? Well, that takes out a little excitement about watching tonight.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Let's go suns beat the rockets

Shame on no Chris s or Jackson hoping Bender has another solid game and Booker.

Go Suns!

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyone watch the NAZ Suns versus Canton Charge game this morning at 10 a.m. on ESPNU ?

Unfortunately I missed it.

It would have been fun to watch it live.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Oh my. I am afraid for Tyler tonight. Chris Paul is going to eat his breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Chriss, Jackson, AND Canaan are all out tonight.

 

[Superbone]

Chriss, Jackson, AND Canaan are all out tonight.

Are you sure about Isaiah or is that just Canaan fodder?

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like Dudley time.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Alec Peters alert...

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[Mainstreet]

Alec Peters alert...

This is why Peters did not play in the ESPN televised G-League game today.

By the way the NAZ Suns won.

Bender at the 5 and Peters at the 4. What's not to like if it turns out that way.