Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets-Houston Rockets Pregame Report


Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) has had the sort of season that puts him in the Most Valuable Player discussion.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) has had the sort of season that puts him in the Most Valuable Player discussion. AP

Hornets vs. Rockets

7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena

TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.

Projected Starters

Hornets

Rockets

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

G K. Walker

17.6

3.6

G J. Terry

6.9

1.6

G G. Henderson

12.3

3.4

G J. Harden

27.5

5.7

F J. Taylor

3.9

1.8

F T. Ariza

13.0

5.6

F Ma. Williams

7.3

5.0

F T. Jones

11.8

6.8

C B. Biyombo

4.7

6.3

C D. Howard

15.7

10.6

Matchup to Watch

Dwight Howard vs. Bismack Biyombo: Biyombo had some success early in his career against Howard by bodying up and not being intimidated physically.

Observations

▪ Rockets shooting guard James Harden has had the kind of season that puts him in the most valuable player discussion, particularly with Howard having missed so much time.

▪ The Rockets could end up playing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. That would be great television, but not what the Rockets envisioned when they acquired Howard and Harden.

Tap-ins

▪ Hornets guard Patrick Beverley has been out following left wrist surgery.

▪ The Hornets suffered another injury Sunday when Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond fell into Hornets rookie P.J. Hairston’s right leg. He left the arena on crutches.

Did you know?

The end of Rockets coach Kevin McHale’s playing career with the Boston Celtics came in the 1993 playoff series loss to the original Charlotte Hornets.

Rick Bonnell

This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Charlotte Hornets-Houston Rockets Pregame Report."

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