Houston Rockets will be squaring off against Indiana Pacers in American Basketball League 2019-20.
Team preview
Rockets’ campaign since the resumption is impactful, going 4-1 in the bubble despite the defeat in the previous game against San Antonio Spurs 123-105. Spurs were on a six-point lead by the end of the first quarter and after the half-game, the score-line was 66-49 which was a tough task to cover for the Rockets. Russell Westbrook paced Houston with 20 points in the loss and Ben McLemore added 16 points. Houston are one game behind the Nuggets over the No. 3 seed in the conference. Either Houston or Denver would face the Clippers in the second round.
Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers are one game behind the Heats for the No. 4 seed in the eastern conference and a half-game ahead of Philadelphia for the fifth spot in the standings. If Pacers avoids the defeat today and Miami lost to the Thunder, both teams would meet again in the Friday clash. The Pacers fell to Miami in the previous tie 114-92 on Monday. T.J. Warren has led Indiana with 34.8 points per game but on Monday, he added only 12 points in 29 minutes. Victor Oladipo scored 14 and Malcolm Brogdon added 12 in the loss.
Starting Possible Lineups
Houston Rockets
James Harden (PG/SG), Ben McLemore (SG/SF), Danuel House Jr. (SF/PF), Robert Covington (SF/PF), P.J. Tucker (C)
Indian Pacers
Malcolm Brogdon (PG), Aaron Holiday (PG/SG), Victor Oladipo (SG/SF), Doug McDermott (SF/PF), Myles Turner (C)
Key Players
Houston Rockets
James Harden (SG): 34.3 points, 6.5 points, 7.5 assists
Robert Covington (PF): 12 points, 8.2 rebounds
Danuel House Jr. (SF): 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds
Indian Pacers
Malcolm Brogdon (PG): 16.5 points, 7.1 assists
Victor Oladipo (SG): 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds
Myles Turner (C): 12 points, 6.5 rebounds
