National Basketball Association

Game Day: Houston Rockets finish back to back set in New York

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 130-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets continue their 5-game road trip in New York on the back end of a back to back set.

After a loss that was much closer than the final score the Houston Rockets look to get back in the win column in New York facing the Knicks.

Looking back at the preseason match between the clubs, it was an easy win for Houston. That said, if we’ve learned anything from preseason it’s the players are much more dialed in for games that count.

Oct 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) has a laugh on the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the game the New York Knicks have played 3 games – losing 2 and have a single victory. Both losses to the Cavaliers and Pistons were by wide margins while the Knicks lone victory came in a bit of a shocker versus the Grizzlies.

Fortunately both teams played last night so the Knicks won’t have any benefit of additional rest. In spite of that fact the Rockets will need to recover quickly and take it to the Knicks.

Hopefully lessons learned against the Cavaliers and film session will have the Rockets dialed in to play both ends to garner the win and move back above .500.

With that, SCS offers the Game Day Countdown

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Incoming:

Of note Phil Jackson hired Jeff Hornacek as the Knicks new Head Coach.

Note: Hernangomez and Kuzminskas come over from Spanish League where Porzingis played prior to joining Knicks as a rookie.

Exiting:

Re-upping:

Retired:

Next: Starting Line-Ups

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls the ball as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets Starting 5:

(stats from 2015-16)

Point Guard: James Harden – 29 points, 7.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 2016 SCS Harden preview

Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon – 15.2 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds Media Day

Small Forward: Trevor Ariza – 12.7 points, 2.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2016 SCS Ariza preview

Power Forward: Ryan Anderson – 17.0 points 1.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds Anderson Media Day

Center: Clint Capela – 7.0 points, 0.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 2016 SCS Capela preview

New York Knicks Starting 5:

Point Guard: Derrick Rose – 16.4 points, 4.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds

Shooting Guard: Courtney Lee – 9.6 points, 1.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony – 21.8 points 4.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds

Power Forward: – Kristaps Porzingis – 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Center: Joakim Noah – 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) shoots the ball during a game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets Bench:

Guards:

Wings:

Bigs:

New York Knicks Bench:

Guards: Brandon Jennings, Justin Holiday, Ron Baker

Wings: Lance Thomas, Sasha Vujacic, Mindgaugas Kuzminskas, Maurice Ndour

Bigs: Kyle O’Quinn, Willy Hernangomez, Marshall Plumlee

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Walking Wounded:

Houston Rockets:

New York Knicks:

Injury reports as per rotoworld as well as CBS Sports

Venue:

Madison Square Garden

Radio and Television Providers:

In Houston and Area: Root Sports

Worldwide: NBA League Pass

Radio: 790 AM

Game Time: 6:30 PM CT and 7:30 PM EST

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 130-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Keys For Rockets:

Focus on defense: New York isn’t a team with the caliber of defense of the Cavaliers, but shouldn’t be take for granted. Coming into the season Harden and company all spoke to their desire to be a top defensive team. For them to accomplish that they have to develop those habits against all teams, not just the top ranked clubs. Therefore Houston need to be as committed defensively versus the Knicks as they were the Cavaliers. And for Pete’s sake if Anderson isn’t going to guard and can’t hit his shots get him out of the game early.

Take advantage of the THREE: Houston rank 10th in three point shooting while the Knicks haven’t found their mojo in this area yet ranking 18th. Factor in the Knicks are the third worst team at defending the perimeter. If Houston can catch fire from the perimeter it could be a long night for the Knicks.