Two of the league's youngest and most exciting backcourts go one-on-one tonight as James Harden, Jeremy Lin and the Houston Rockets (18-14) take on Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis and the Milwaukee Bucks (16-14) Friday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Rockets, coming off a convincing 104-92 win over the New Orleans Hornets, and are looking to extend their two-game winning streak after winning seven of their last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the Bucks are on a two-game losing streak, including a 117-110 narrow loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, and could use a boost after splitting their last 10 games with a 5-5 win-loss record.
Expect this game to be a run-and-gun night, as both Houston and Milwaukee are the highest scoring teams in the NBA on fast-break points (Houston at No.1 with 18.7 and Milwaukee in second with 15.6).
Latinos Post breaks down the top match-ups for tonight's game:
Power forward: Marcus Morris, Rockets vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bucks
It's uncertain how much longer Morris will be starting, if Patrick Patterson is indeed close to getting his starting job back after injury, but if anything, he has risen to every challenge since Patterson went down earlier in the season, netting 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds and having a pair of back-to-back strong games against Oklahoma City (24 points) and Atlanta (15 points.)
Mbah a Moute isn't always consistent with scoring, but as his 19 points in the Bucks' surprising blowout win over Miami on Dec. 29 show, he can provide a pop when needed. And at 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds for the season, he adds stability to the power forward spot for Milwaukee.
Advantage: Even
Small forward: Chandler Parsons, Rockets vs. Marquis Daniels, Bucks
Parsons hasn't been all that productive in the last three games, averaging only 8.0 points in that time, but he showed signs that his shooting was improving with a 55.6 percent night from the field against New Orleans on Wednesday.
Daniels, putting up 6.8 points in the last 10 games, isn't a big time scorer, but that's fine. That's not what he's there for. He's there to be a solid perimeter defender for Milwaukee. That might not bode well for Parsons, who needs to get a good strong game or three under his belt to get back his previous scoring form from earlier this season.
Advantage: Even
Center: Omer Asik, Rockets vs. Larry Sanders, Bucks
The seven-footer Asik was dominating on Wednesday, scoring 21 points to go with eight rebounds and a block in a 104-92 win over the Hornets, as aggressive on offense as he was on defense. He's the embodiment of what a true center should be, a staunch defender who can rebound and score.
But the 6'11" Sanders, who has 9.8 rebounds over 10 games, loves to clean the boards, too. And as his strong games against Brooklyn (12 points) and Miami (16 points) show, he can score when given the opportunity. These two should make it interesting in the paint Friday night.
Advantage: Rockets
Shooting Guard: James Harden, Rockets vs. Monta Ellis, Bucks
It's all about the backcourt tonight, as two of the best guard pairings in the NBA get ready to go one-on-one.
First up, two of the league's premier shooting guards will be locking horns, and they don't come much better than Harden. Fifth in the league with 26.3 points per game, Harden has been the gas in Houston's tank all season thus far, and has been most dangerous when he's allowed to get to the lane.
Ellis, meanwhile, has been strong all season for the Bucks, leading the team with 19.6 points for the season, and putting up 23.8 points and 7.2 assists in the last five games. A scorer and ball distributor, Ellis can be lethal if he gets hot. And he's been a Rocket-killer, torching Houston for 31.7 points in his last five games against them.
Expect neither of these superstars to give an inch in this alpha-male battle of "Who's the Best?" But if Harden gets on a roll, he could pull away from Ellis and never look back.
Advantage: Rockets
Point Guard: Jeremy Lin, Rockets vs. Brandon Jennings, Bucks
Extending three months into the NBA season, Lin is proving that he can match up well with some of the best in the league. His point production has been erratic over the last five games-averaging 12.2 points by scoring high in one game, followed by a low-scoring game the next, but he always distributes the ball well (6.9 assists in the last 10 games) and finds a way to create shots for his teammates. If he gets going on offense, however, Houston is nearly unbeatable.
After impressive games against the likes of Raymond Felton and Tony Parker, he'll face a formidable challenge in Jennings, who has been great this season for the Bucks. Jennings, among the league leaders in steals (2.1 per game) can also be a potent scoring threat, as he showed in a 31-point night in a tough loss to the Spurs on Wednesday.
Both are high energy point guards. Both can get their teammates involved. And both can wreak havoc on a defense if they catch fire. Sit back and get your snacks, folks, because the match-up between them is going to be one heck of a show.
Advantage: Even
Bench: Toney Douglas, Patrick Patterson, Carlos Delfino, Rockets vs. Mike Dunleavy, Ersan Ilyasova, Ekpe Udoh, Bucks
Mike Dunleavy remains Milwaukee's most potent bench weapon, averaging 14.6 points in five games and looking strong after missing six games earlier this season with a knee injury. Ersan Ilyasova gives them another scoring threat off the bench, although the loss of Beno Udrih, out Friday with an ankle injury, will hurt the Bucks. Look for Ekpe Udoh to try and step up to the task.
Patterson, who notched 15 points off the bench Wednesday, gives the Rockets a scoring threat of their own from their reserves corps, while Delfino is always a solid bench player and Douglas gives Houston a reliable point guard to fill in.
Advantage: Even
Game time starts at 8:30 p.m. EST. Live score is available via TV Companion, here.
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