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Houston Rockets: Effort Measured By Numbers

By Duncan Smith

Nov 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and guard Jason Terry (31) sit on the bench watching the Boston Celtics in the second half at Toyota Center. Celtics won 111 to 95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and guard Jason Terry (31) sit on the bench watching the Boston Celtics in the second half at Toyota Center. Celtics won 111 to 95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Injuries Are Unavoidable

When you’re the Houston Rockets, injuries are a part of the job. Maybe the Toyota Center was built on an ancient burial ground. Whatever the case, they’re a thing, and that’s a problem for the Rockets.

Patrick Beverley, my own personal choice to start at point guard, has missed four games so far this season, and Donatas Motiejunas has yet to play this season due to back pain. Motiejunas has no timetable for return at the moment, and it seems his absence is more critical than previously imagined.

Motiejunas started 62 games for the Rockets last season before being felled by injury, and it turns out the young man can shoot the three. He shot a career-high 36.8 percent from long range last season, adding 12 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

His ability to shoot from beyond the arc gave the Rockets a much-needed stretch-four power forward, spreading the floor and giving Harden room to operate. If he can get healthy and back on the floor, he might be a change of pace that the Rockets need. It may also give them the ability to make a trade, perhaps moving Terrence Jones for a scoring wing to replace a possibly washed-up Corey Brewer.

In addition to these two key pieces, Dwight Howard has only played seven games due to a season-opening one-game suspension and rest considerations, and Terrence Jones has missed five games with an eye injury. As noted above, injuries and absences could be the biggest piece of this puzzle.

Next: Has Kevin McHale Lost The Locker Room?

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