[10:45 PM] Rockets @ Warriors

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Rockets (11-7)

@ Golden State Warriors (16-2)

 

• The Houston Rockets just allowed the low-scoring Utah Jazz to shoot 55.4 percent from the field in a 120-101 loss and are slipping at the defensive end just in time to face the highest-scoring team in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors, who average 117.6 points, will try to stretch their winning streak to 13 straight when they host the Rockets on Thursday.

• The teams are seeing each other for the first time since the Warriors beat Houston in five games in the opening round of the playoffs last spring. Golden State added to its impressive arsenal of talent since that series and now boasts Kevin Durant, who is averaging 27.1 points on 57 percent shooting while fitting seamlessly into the offensive attack.

• Mike D’Antoni’s teams were never known for stifling the other team’s scoring total, but his best years with the Phoenix Suns included a defense that limited the opponent’s field-goal percentage. Houston is 27th in the league in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to go off at 46.5 percent from the floor.

• Golden State did a solid job the previous two seasons of pairing a high-scoring offense with a defense that limits teams at the other end and is adjusting to its new personnel with a similar philosophy. The Warriors entered play on Wednesday in the top five in the NBA in field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 43.2 percent.

• Golden State took all three regular-season meetings in 2015-16 by an average of 12.3 points.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Golden State Warriors

Confidence: 7/10

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