Dwight Howard is game time decision, video of him at shootaround
Dwight Howard is still a game time decision for Thursday night’s game two match up against the Golden State Warriors after spraining his knee in game 1.
The Houston Rockets fell to the Golden State Warriors 110-106 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday evening. No thanks to an injury to Dwight Howard‘s knee, which he sprained in the 1st quarter. Because of Howard’s limited production on the knee, and the swelling it produced the following day, he is still a game time decision before tonight’s game.
Despite this news, a video of him at shoot around might say differently. In a quick clip taken by Chris Broussard posted to Twitter, Howard’s knee looked primed and ready to go. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see the big man out there at some point in the game tonight. Whether that mean’s in the starting lineup or comes off of the bench remains to be determined.
Dwight at shoot around. Still game-time decision pic.twitter.com/sfiRyf83ko
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) May 21, 2015
In Dwight’s absence, Clint Capela will be the starting center for the Rockets. The back up to Howard has averaged 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds so far in the post season. Not the most impressive numbers, but Capela can definitely hold his own in the paint, especially on the defensive end.
Without Howard, the Rockets will rely all that much more on James Harden to score their points. Harden’s deadly jump shot and disgusting euro-step make it hard for just about anybody to cover him, even in the Western Conference finals.
Still, without Howard the Rockets will suffer. It seemed that ever since he returned from an injury he suffered earlier this season, Houston was finally beginning to hit their stride. They beat the Dallas Mavericks ever so decisively 4-1 in the opening round, and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a hard fought 7 game series. Now, they face their toughest opponent in Steph Curry and the Warriors.
I would like to think the Rockets would be easy prey for the splash brother and company if Howard chooses to rest his knee one more game, making the series 2-0 in favor of the Warriors.