Two nights removed from their epic win against the Eastern-Conference leading New York Knicks, 109-96, Jeremy Lin, James Harden, and the Rockets are looking to keep that momentum going tonight back in Houston.
However, the Philadelphia 76ers, coming off a stinging loss Tuesday to the Dallas Mavericks, are looking to get back on the winning track themselves.
Latinos Post breaks down the key match-ups for the evening:
Power Forward: Marcus Morris, Rockets vs. Thaddeus Young, 76ers
Filling in for injured starter Patrick Patterson, Morris has done a solid job at the power forward position, averaging 16 points in the last two games, including 13 points against the Knicks on Monday.
However, Young has been picking up the pace in his offensive game as of late, averaging 16 points in his last 10 games and in December. The five-year veteran is on a roll, and if Morris doesn't guard him well, he could end up getting barreled over.
Advantage: Rockets
Center: Omer Asik, Rockets vs. Lavoy Allen, 76ers
Right off the bat, this is a mismatch that the Rockets can work in their favor.
Allen, a natural power forward at 6'9", gives up three crucial inches to Asik, who at seven-feet tall, has been steady all season for the Rockets, scoring just under 10 points and 10 rebounds in the last 10 games. Allen, meanwhile, can occasionally block shots and grab around six rebounds, but against the well-rounded Asik, Allen might be outmatched
Advantage: Rockets
Small Forward: Chandler Parsons, Rockets, vs. Evan Turner, 76ers
This will be one of the more intriguing match-ups of the game.
The emerging Parsons, an All-Star candidate who has averaged higher than 15 points this season, has been struggling with his shot in the last two games, hitting only 8 of 20 from the field--40 percent of his shots. But he still remains one of the most dangerous offensive players in Houston's rotation.
He will have his challenges in taking on Turner, who is having a torrid two-week stretch during which he has scored 18.4 points in the last 10 games, evolving into one of the 76ers's most solid scoring threats behind star player Jrue Holliday.
Advantage: Even
Shooting Guard: James Harden, Rockets vs. Jason Richardson, 76ers
Harden was his usual effective self on Monday, scoring 29 points in Houston's win over the Knicks. Having transcended into one of the most feared scorers in the NBA, Harden has rebounded from his ankle injury and is looking as always like the players defenses love to hate.
That doesn't bode well for Richardson, who is averaging 11.5 points on the season, but is far from being the dynamic scorer he was in Golden State who averaged a career-high 23.2 points during his prime, and whose defense has been on the decline.
Advantage: Rockets
Point Guard: Jeremy Lin, Rockets, vs. Nick Young, 76ers
Well, it finally happened. Lin had one of his strongest performances of the season in a return to his "Lin-sane" ways on Monday in New York, scoring 22 points to go with eight assists as he and Harden one of their finest dual performances on the floor together this season.
However, the question remains: can Lin continue to keep up the pace on offense and be as aggressive as he was on Monday? Or will he regress as he did last week after he scored 38 points without Harden in the lineup?
If Holliday, who is questionable for Philadelphia with a foot injury, can't play, Young is a quick, solid point guard for the 76ers who should be able to match Lin decently...unless Lin has one of those nights when he turns up the heat.
Advantage: Even
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