Raptors-Rockets: Counting Down To The Playoffs At This Point

Where to watch: 7:30 p.m, TSN 2

The Houston Rockets come to town tonight having won four in a row and moved a half game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the number two seed in the West. The two seed is of utmost importance to the Rockets (or any team in the West, for that matter) since it would likely give them an easier first round match-up against the Dallas Mavericks and not the San Antonio Spurs, who are currently lurking in sixth place.

So, I guess that's an exhaustive way to say that: yes, the Rockets will be trying to win tonight, which is a thing that needs clarifying this time of year when everyone is out due to (rest). By the way, Dwight Howard -- who just recently returned from an extended injury absence -- will sit out tonight's game due to (rest), as it is the second half of a back-to-back for the Rockets. Houston also just found out today that starting point guard Patrick Beverley will have surgery to repair ligaments in his left wrist, and will be out for the remainder of the season including the playoffs.

For the Raptors, there's this:

If they don't beat HOU tonight, the Raptors will begin the playoffs (4/18) without a W over a winning team in almost 2 months (2/20).

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) March 30, 2015

Kyle Lowry will not be available tonight, and for Toronto, it's getting towards the end of the season where there's not really enough time to build a case that their uneven play for the past three months is something they'll get over. At this point, I'm not sure what more we can learn from this team, aside from any improvements on defense would be nice, and perhaps a few good games out of Terrence Ross.

As a sidenote, Jose Lewenberg did some solid reporting on the Dwane Casey-James Johnson minutes situation, which you can read here.

Anyways. Discuss.