Phoenix (40 - 35)

Expert Pick
0% >< 0%

Houston (42 - 33)

Playoffs or bust


Setting the scene Only two weeks remain in this NSL season, yet somehow only one team has the X next to their name in a hotly contested Western Conference. This has been the closest clamor for playoff spots that I can recall, with both of these teams still a mathematical chance at the second seed from 7^th and 8^th. While that seems unlikely, most other positions from third down to 10^th are all very much a possibility. Simply put this is a must win game for both teams. Houston After coming into the season with 3 players rated 90 plus, there was a lot of expectation on the shoulders of GM Vitticus and the Houston Rockets. Having won 50 games and qualifying 6^th last season, that was seen as the absolute minimum bar for this consistently good team. However after a really strong opening month, the Rockets would currently need to win out to reach that mark, often showing stretches of confusing form and a most recent slump without their best played Nikola Jokic. The joker is back this week and the fans hope that so is that strong early season form. Currently they sit 7th in the Western Conference, just 3 games back from the number 3 seed. Phoenix Since I have been in the league, the Suns have made the playoffs only once and have never won a playoff game. A long string of rebuilds, roster refreshes and 11^th seed finishes have held this franchise back. The acquisitions of Damion Lillard and Kris Middleton signaled a changing of the guard, but injuries to both players have held the Suns back. The Lillard injury was really untimely as the team was enjoying its most dominant stretch of the season. Now they are again in a dog fight this week to try and avoid adding another year to that playoff wins drought. Currently they sit 8^th in the Western Conference, just 2.5 games back from the 6seed. Matchups PG: Brandon Williams vs Kevin McCullar Jr A recent two-way acquisition vs the late second round pick. Williams may be a two-way player and third string point guard on this roster, but his game has come a long way in a short period of time. He is now a strong shooter and good playmaker. The same cant yet be said of McCullar Jr, who has yet to develop upon the defense and rebounding he showed in college. Williams has proven he can play at the level and has the advantage here. SG: Alec Burks vs Shaedon Sharpe The grizzled, sharpshooting veteran vs the ultra-athletic highlight machine. Burks started the season like a house on fire, bombing 3’s and playing really solid defense. He was a huge part of the Rockets great early season form. Sharpe has been extremely impressive and is clearly built for this engine whether starting or as a 6^th man, he has been filling up the scoreboard. Burks has slowed a little of late, but there is no slowing Sharpe as he continues to grow in confidence. Sharpe’s athleticism will be too much for Burks to handle. SF: Javonte Green vs Dillon Brooks Two elder statesmen role players will look to gain their team the edge here. Green has seen plenty of starts this season thanks to the injuries to Maxed and Haliburton. Often the first called upon to step up, he has shown a solid stroke and defensive chops. Brooks was a really clever get for GM Laddas and the Suns, who at the time were crying out for a 3 and D wing. While his shot can be inconsistent at times, and a little over used, there is no question Brooks’s defensive acumen. He will be an absolute menace in this matchup. PF: Julian Champagnie vs Guerschon Yabusele A consistent undersized 4 vs another astute depth pickup. Champagnie has enjoyed his most consistent season yet, being deployed most often as the small ball starting 4 next to the enormous Nikola Jokic, he has server as a solid foil in this role. Yabusele was brought along just before the trade deadline for extra big man depth, and he has so far started every game he has played as a Sun. This will be a close matchup, with Yabusele’s strength and extra size perhaps presenting a problem if Champagnie’s outside shot isn’t falling. C: Nikola Jokic vs Daniel Gafford The all-world big vs the solid rebounder who has been passed around like currency this season. There isn't a lot that already hasn’t been said about Nikola Jokic, he is the superstar big man and face of this Rockets team. His size, strength, basketball IQ and ability to dominate in almost all categories in the face of constant double teams is legendary at this point. Gafford certainly doesn’t have Jokic’s basketball IQ, but he will try and out hustle him on the boards and in transition. Still the edge clearly goes to Jokic here.

Setting the scene

Only two weeks remain in this NSL season, yet somehow only one team has the X next to their name in a hotly contested Western Conference. This has been the closest clamor for playoff spots that I can recall, with both of these teams still a mathematical chance at the second seed from 7^th and 8^th.

While that seems unlikely, most other positions from third down to 10^th are all very much a possibility. Simply put this is a must win game for both teams.

Houston

After coming into the season with 3 players rated 90 plus, there was a lot of expectation on the shoulders of GM Vitticus and the Houston Rockets. Having won 50 games and qualifying 6^th last season, that was seen as the absolute minimum bar for this consistently good team. However after a really strong opening month, the Rockets would currently need to win out to reach that mark, often showing stretches of confusing form and a most recent slump without their best played Nikola Jokic. The joker is back this week and the fans hope that so is that strong early season form. Currently they sit 7th in the Western Conference, just 3 games back from the number 3 seed.

Phoenix

Since I have been in the league, the Suns have made the playoffs only once and have never won a playoff game. A long string of rebuilds, roster refreshes and 11^th seed finishes have held this franchise back. The acquisitions of Damion Lillard and Kris Middleton signaled a changing of the guard, but injuries to both players have held the Suns back. The Lillard injury was really untimely as the team was enjoying its most dominant stretch of the season. Now they are again in a dog fight this week to try and avoid adding another year to that playoff wins drought. Currently they sit 8^th in the Western Conference, just 2.5 games back from the 6seed.

Matchups

PG: Brandon Williams vs Kevin McCullar Jr

A recent two-way acquisition vs the late second round pick. Williams may be a two-way player and third string point guard on this roster, but his game has come a long way in a short period of time. He is now a strong shooter and good playmaker. The same cant yet be said of McCullar Jr, who has yet to develop upon the defense and rebounding he showed in college. Williams has proven he can play at the level and has the advantage here.

SG: Alec Burks vs Shaedon Sharpe

The grizzled, sharpshooting veteran vs the ultra-athletic highlight machine. Burks started the season like a house on fire, bombing 3’s and playing really solid defense. He was a huge part of the Rockets great early season form. Sharpe has been extremely impressive and is clearly built for this engine whether starting or as a 6^th man, he has been filling up the scoreboard. Burks has slowed a little of late, but there is no slowing Sharpe as he continues to grow in confidence. Sharpe’s athleticism will be too much for Burks to handle.

SF: Javonte Green vs Dillon Brooks

Two elder statesmen role players will look to gain their team the edge here. Green has seen plenty of starts this season thanks to the injuries to Maxed and Haliburton. Often the first called upon to step up, he has shown a solid stroke and defensive chops. Brooks was a really clever get for GM Laddas and the Suns, who at the time were crying out for a 3 and D wing. While his shot can be inconsistent at times, and a little over used, there is no question Brooks’s defensive acumen. He will be an absolute menace in this matchup.

PF: Julian Champagnie vs Guerschon Yabusele

A consistent undersized 4 vs another astute depth pickup. Champagnie has enjoyed his most consistent season yet, being deployed most often as the small ball starting 4 next to the enormous Nikola Jokic, he has server as a solid foil in this role. Yabusele was brought along just before the trade deadline for extra big man depth, and he has so far started every game he has played as a Sun. This will be a close matchup, with Yabusele’s strength and extra size perhaps presenting a problem if Champagnie’s outside shot isn’t falling.

C: Nikola Jokic vs Daniel Gafford

The all-world big vs the solid rebounder who has been passed around like currency this season. There isn't a lot that already hasn’t been said about Nikola Jokic, he is the superstar big man and face of this Rockets team. His size, strength, basketball IQ and ability to dominate in almost all categories in the face of constant double teams is legendary at this point. Gafford certainly doesn’t have Jokic’s basketball IQ, but he will try and out hustle him on the boards and in transition. Still the edge clearly goes to Jokic here.

Suns Star

Daniel Gafford
I really like Daniel Gafford as a athletic, no nonsense big in this engine. You know what you are going to get, for a nice price. Rebounding, defense, hard running and playing within his limits. This week Gafford finds himself the highest rated player on this team and up against the best big man in the business. He has a huge task ahead of him, but slowing the Joker even a little will be a huge help in keeping the Suns in this.

PPG 6.4

RPG 8.5

APG 1.2

SPG 1.1

BPG 1.5

FPG 1.3

TPG 0.7

PPG 11.0

RPG 2.5

APG 4.3

SPG 0.5

BPG 0.1

FPG 1.8

TPG 1.4

Rockets Star

Brandon Williams
I could have gone the obvious Jokic pick here, but decided the left field selection of Williams was more apt. Despite being a two-way 6'1 point guard. Williams has shown a lot in a short time when given his opportunity. With Damion Lillard out for Phoenix, he will come up against an unproven rookie and has the chance to really dominate the point guard battle. Doing so would go a long way to securing a Houston victory.

X-Factor
The Suns have some noticeable advantages in athleticism in some of their matchups. If they can push the pace and find transition buckets, this could be the edge they need to make this a really good contest.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Tyrese Haliburton (Hamstring/Hip Flexor/Back/Injury Management) - 8 NBA Games missed this season Tyrese Maxey (Hamstring/Hand/Knee/Back) - 29 NBA Games missed this season Brandon Boston Jr (Ankle) - 27 NBA Games missed this season Jake LaRavia (Ankle/Back/Knee/Illness/Thumb) - 15 NBA Games missed this season Noah Clowney (Hip/Back/Ankle/Wrist) - 33 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Alec Burks (returning from Back) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Nikola Jokic (returning from Personal/Illness/Elbow/Ankle) - 12 NBA Games missed this season Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (returning from Groin/Foot) - 4 NBA Games missed this season Javonte Green (returning from Ankle) - 1 NBA Games missed this season Brandon Williams (returning from Thumb/Hamstring) - 8 NBA Games missed this season Dariq Whitehead (returning from Concussion/Knee) - 4 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Moussa Diabate (Illness/Eye) - 5 NBA Games missed this season Herbert Jones (Shoulder) - 61 NBA Games missed this season Khris Middleton (Ankle/Injury Management/Rest/Personal/Knee) - 42 NBA Games missed this season Damian Lillard (Concussion/Calf/Illness/Groin/Hamstring) - 23 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Pacome Dadiet (returning from Toe) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Shaedon Sharpe (returning from Shoulder/Knee) - 9 NBA Games missed this season Jaden Springer (returning from Knee/Illness/Back) - 10 NBA Games missed this season Dean Wade (returning from Illness/Ankle/Knee) - 22 NBA Games missed this season Daniel Gafford (returning from Illness/Ankle/Knee) - 25 NBA Games missed this season Lonnie Walker (returning from Head) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Mohamed Bamba (returning from Knee/Injury Management) - 12 NBA Games missed this season Dillon Brooks (returning from Ankle/Knee/Rest) - 6 NBA Games missed this season Guerschon Yabusele (returning from Knee/Eye/Personal) - 11 NBA Games missed this season Gary Harris (returning from Hamstring) - 27 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Tyrese Haliburton (Hamstring/Hip Flexor/Back/Injury Management) - 8 NBA Games missed this season
Tyrese Maxey (Hamstring/Hand/Knee/Back) - 29 NBA Games missed this season
Brandon Boston Jr (Ankle) - 27 NBA Games missed this season
Jake LaRavia (Ankle/Back/Knee/Illness/Thumb) - 15 NBA Games missed this season
Noah Clowney (Hip/Back/Ankle/Wrist) - 33 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Alec Burks (returning from Back) - 7 NBA Games missed this season
Nikola Jokic (returning from Personal/Illness/Elbow/Ankle) - 12 NBA Games missed this season
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (returning from Groin/Foot) - 4 NBA Games missed this season
Javonte Green (returning from Ankle) - 1 NBA Games missed this season
Brandon Williams (returning from Thumb/Hamstring) - 8 NBA Games missed this season
Dariq Whitehead (returning from Concussion/Knee) - 4 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Moussa Diabate (Illness/Eye) - 5 NBA Games missed this season
Herbert Jones (Shoulder) - 61 NBA Games missed this season
Khris Middleton (Ankle/Injury Management/Rest/Personal/Knee) - 42 NBA Games missed this season
Damian Lillard (Concussion/Calf/Illness/Groin/Hamstring) - 23 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Pacome Dadiet (returning from Toe) - 7 NBA Games missed this season
Shaedon Sharpe (returning from Shoulder/Knee) - 9 NBA Games missed this season
Jaden Springer (returning from Knee/Illness/Back) - 10 NBA Games missed this season
Dean Wade (returning from Illness/Ankle/Knee) - 22 NBA Games missed this season
Daniel Gafford (returning from Illness/Ankle/Knee) - 25 NBA Games missed this season
Lonnie Walker (returning from Head) - 7 NBA Games missed this season
Mohamed Bamba (returning from Knee/Injury Management) - 12 NBA Games missed this season
Dillon Brooks (returning from Ankle/Knee/Rest) - 6 NBA Games missed this season
Guerschon Yabusele (returning from Knee/Eye/Personal) - 11 NBA Games missed this season
Gary Harris (returning from Hamstring) - 27 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
The young Suns will have their hands full in this one against this typically vetted Rockets outfit. Nikola Jokic will cause all sorts of problems in the paint, and it will take some standout performances from these young but exciting Suns to bring this game down to the wire. I think they will fall agonizingly short. Rockets by 5

		Comments (1)
laddas 04/14 11:34 am	Thanks for the write up! Best of luck Vitt!

	UTAH	23
	MIN	24

	LAC	88
	GS	103

	GS	77
	TOR	108

	POR	102
	OKC	116

	UTAH	111
	SAC	92