NBA 2021/22 on Monday, 11.01.2022
Exactly one week after the last meeting, the game between the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers will take place for the second time in 2022! This time, however, the venue will be the Toyota Center!
Speaking of “centre”: Joel Embiid had an easy game against substitute Daniel Theis last week. While I see the Sixers having the advantage again tonight due to their superiority, Christian Wood might give the Cameroonian on the board a little more trouble this time…
The Rockets have already lost a game against the Sixers exactly one week ago and that was with announcement. The 76ers superstar only had to deal with the number three of the red and white team – Daniel Theis – at the Texans’ centre position.
But the German was visibly overtaxed in this matchup and sank only four of his total of twenty throws. Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood, on the other hand, were banished to the stands due to disciplinary measures by coach Stephen Silas.
In the rematch against Philadelphia, the two bad boys will be on the court this time. In terms of personnel, Houston is therefore in a better position than in the clear 113-133 defeat a week ago – even if the visitors will probably have the edge again in the end.
There’s something bubbling under the surface with the Rockets! Poor results and a lack of discipline are the visible consequences of the currently miserable performances of the Texans, who have now lost nine of their last ten NBA games.
Remarkable is also the fact that Houston often lets itself go. In none of these defeats has the deficit to the winning team ever been less than ten points! The morale of the red and white team can only be in the basement in view of these results.
For the Sixers, on the other hand, things could hardly be better! The franchise from Pennsylvania has already won six in a row!
In terms of form, the Sixers have a clear advantage over the Texans. But the real reason why the 76ers are unstoppable at the moment has to do with their centre Joel Embiid, who is simply unstoppable on the boards.
The Cameroonian has broken the 30-point mark in eight of his last nine NBA games – and even twice in games against the strong Brooklyn Nets! Against the Rockets a week ago, he showed his best performance since December.
With 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists he made his opponent Daniel Theis so wet! Regular centre Christian Wood will keep him a bit busier on the five this time, though!
The Sixers have won each of the last four duels against the Rockets and in three of those games the margin of victory was twenty or more points. However, that never included a matchup at the five between Embiid and Wood.
Christian Wood, however, is in my eyes the most talented centre the Rockets have faced Embiid in recent years. And in fact, I trust the 26-year-old to limit the Cameroonian’s offensive damage.
The Sixers are too good of a team to lose to the Rockets, but Christian Wood’s remarkable defensive work could keep his direct counterpart at the centre position from reaching the 30-point mark for the first time in weeks.
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Meanwhile, it should come as little surprise that Philadelphia is also considered the clear favourite by the best betting providers in the new edition with odds of around 1.19. A triumph for the Texans is expected. A Texan triumph, on the other hand, is being traded on the markets at higher odds of around 5.00!
Summary: The Sixers are simply a strong team that is preparing to win its seventh game in a row. The fact that they had a game off last night, unlike the Texans, is also an advantage.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are caught in the same downward spiral as last year and usually have no chance in their defeats. However, this time they are better equipped with Wood and Porter than they were in the loss to Philadelphia a week ago.
Although I think the 76ers will win again in the end, the resistance will be greater this time. At least Joel Embiid will have to deal with Christian Wood at the five, who should keep him from reaching the 30-point mark.
My Rockets tip: The home side will lose, if at all, by no more than a thirteen-point difference!
