Sports 4 Dorks

The Rockets have won five of six to right the team’s record to 20-18, but
only one of those victories (an eight-point win in Washington) could be termed "impressive;" or even, "what we should expect from this team, even
without Tracy McGrady."

The Sixers, meanwhile, have lost seven straight. And yet, they were close to
toppling the Spurs in San Antonio
last night, and three of those losses have been by four points or less.

Throwing things into further chaos was the game between these two teams on
December 10^th, which saw the 76ers lead by as many as 31 points in a dominating win
over the Rockets.

So anyone, including your humble narrator, would be a fool to try and assume
what is likely to come out of tonight’s pairing; which is kind of why it’s a
game I want to pay attention to. The Rockets are seemingly playing well (with
reservations), the Sixers appear to be playing lousy (with caveats), and either
Philadelphia has a matchup advantage over the Rockets that Houston can’t begin
to overcome, or the Rockets are fightin’ mad over what went down last month, and
are ready for revenge.

Don’t ask Andre Iguodala for his guess. He’s in a bad mood.  

Houston
Rockets: 20-18, 89.7 possessions per game (17^th most in the NBA), 105.5
points per 100 possessions (17^th in the NBA), 103.4 points allowed
per 100 possessions (2^nd).

Philadelphia
76ers: 14-24, 89.5 possessions per game (20^th), 103.2 points scored
per 100 possessions (25^th), 106.7 points allowed per 100 possessions
(11^th).