Two of the league's best backcourts from the East and West will meet for a showdown in Houston Saturday night when James Harden, Jeremy Lin and the Houston Rockets (23-22) host Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets (26-17) at 8 p.m. at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The Rockets have struggled in the last few games, losing eight out of 10 contests, but are coming in with momentum behind them after Harden's 30 points lifted them to a 100-82 win over New Orleans on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Nets only a game and a half behind New York in the Atlantic Division, are coming off an embarrassing 101-77 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies from the night before, a game where they were dominated in points in the paint and out-rebounded.
This meeting--the first of two between these teams for this season--marks the first time that Houston has played or hosted the Nets since they relocated from New Jersey to Brooklyn at the end of last season. It also marks the first time that Lin and new All-Star Harden, who joined forces in Houston, meet Johnson and Williams, another backcourt duo with star power.
Latinos Post breaks down the top match-ups for tonight's game:
Power forward: Reggie Evans, Nets vs. Patrick Patterson, Rockets
After struggling to get back into form since his return from a foot injury, Patterson had a big night against New Orleans on Friday with 8-of-11 shooting from the field while scoring 18 points. That's the player the Rockets will need tonight if they want to get a "W." But he'll have to get aggressive to deal with Evans, who is a strong defender and an excellent rebounder-grabbing 9.8 boards in the last five games-and won't be afraid to test him.
Advantage: Even
Small forward: Gerald Wallace, Nets vs. Chandler Parsons, Rockets
Wallace is still shaking off rib injuries after returning last week against the Hawks, and he doesn't score much, but he can be a pretty capable defender when given the opportunity. Parsons had a modest 10 points on a poor 5-of-13 shooting night Friday, but is showing flashes of his earlier offensive production. The Rockets will need their young small forward to step it up tonight to get a win against Brooklyn.
Advantage: Nets
Center: Brook Lopez, Nets vs. Omer Asik, Rockets
Both of these talented big men have paid dividends for their teams this season, but only one will be victorious Saturday night.
Lopez, whom NBA analysts felt could have made the All-Star Game this season, has really been hitting his stride in the last five games, scoring 19.2 points while grabbing 7.4 rebounds with 2.2 blocks. He's big, he's quick and he's so hard to stop when he gets down low in the paint.
Asik, who has been averaging double figures in rebounding and scoring for much of the season, has seen his scoring numbers dramatically fall in the last five games after his 22-point outburst against the Pacers on Jan. 18. Still, he is one of the league's best rebounders and his defense is crucial. But he'll be tested for sure against Lopez tonight.
Advantage: Nets
Shooting Guard: Joe Johnson, Nets vs. James Harden, Rockets
These two stellar guards should make a very interesting matchup. Harden, Houston's newest NBA All-Star, was on fire Friday night, scoring 30 points on 8-of-15 shooting and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line to scorch New Orleans. Johnson has an off-night against Memphis in Brooklyn's loss that same night, shooting only 4-of-10 from the field. Still, Johnson is one of Brooklyn's most dangerous shooters and a reliable scorer. These two head-to-head should make for one of the game's best storylines.
Advantage: Rockets
Point Guard: Deron Williams, Nets vs. Jeremy Lin, Rockets
The first time these two faced last season on Feb. 4, 2012, Lin's 25 points in a 99-92 Knicks win over the then-New Jersey Nets gave birth to the phenomenon known as "Linsanity."
What a difference a year makes leading into this anticipated match-up.
Lin, now in Houston, has been up-and-down for much of the year, though he showed signs of life with 13 points in Houston's 100-82 victory over the Hornets Friday. Williams, who probably should have made the All-Star Game, has been fluctuating in offense himself in the last five games with a very rollercoaster-like 16.0 points a game. However, his 8.4 assists during that time period help counter that. Lin will have to be at his best defensively, because D-Will is the kind of player that can make the game his own.
Advantage: Nets
Bench
Carlos Delfino continues to be Houston's top weapon off the bench, scoring 14 points against New Orleans on Friday. Marcus Morris can put up quality play over quality minutes and Greg Smith and Toney Douglas are effective platooning for the backcourt.
For the Nets, Kris Humphries is Brooklyn's best rebounder off the bench, while occasionally contributing some decent scoring. Power forward Andray Blatche, averaging 10.9 points this season, can be a contributor on offense from the four-spot and C.J. Watson's defensive skills should come in handy for the backcourt.
Game Time, TV Schedule
Game time starts at 8 p.m. EST. Live score is available via TV Companion, here.
Live Streaming
Live Streaming for the Game is can be seen via NBA League Pass. (FREE Trial Tonight)