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NBA Houston Rockets

5 Things Houston Rockets Fans Should Be Thankful For

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5 Things Houston Rockets Fans Should Be Thankful For

James Harden, Francisco Garcia
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

It’s that time of year again, Thanksgiving, when everyone sits back and reflects on what they are truly thankful for. Many teams around the NBA have a lot to be thankful for, while some are wishing they had something a little more tangible to be happy about. The Houston Rockets are one of the few franchises in the league that are currently in a joyous state. Here are five things Rockets fans should be thankful for.

5. An 11-3 Record

James Harden
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

5. An 11-3 Record

James Harden
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

Playing in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the Rockets are currently sitting with the fourth-best record and are only a game behind for the No. 1 seed. Things couldn’t be much better from a record standpoint.

4. Trevor Ariza’s Consistent Play

Trevor Ariza, Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

4. Trevor Ariza’s Consistent Play

Trevor Ariza, Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

The departure of Chandler Parsons left many wondering how the Rockets would fill the hole at the small forward position, but Trevor Ariza has been a stellar fill-in this season. The 10-year veteran is averaging 13.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 40 percent shooting from the field.

3. James Harden Exceeding Expectations Offensively

James Harden
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

3. James Harden Exceeding Expectations Offensively

James Harden
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

James Harden is absolutely a dark horse candidate for MVP with the way he has been playing this season, averaging 25.2 points, 6.4 rebounds (career high) and 6.6 assists (also a career high) on 40 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Harden is defying expectations once again.

2. Dwight Howard’s Potentially Quick Recovery

Dwight Howard
Jerome Miron- USA Today Sports

2. Dwight Howard’s Potentially Quick Recovery

Dwight Howard
Jerome Miron- USA Today Sports

Dwight Howard has been out now for the last three games due to his knee surgery, and the Rockets have been outrebounded in all three of those games. Luckily for the Rockets organization, Howard could potentially play against Sacramento Kings tonight, but if not, he will most definitely be playing against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Howard will be back in the rotation very soon.

1. Lack of Starters Allowing Bench To Shine

Jason Terry, Trevor Ariza
Jerome Miron- USA Today Sports

1. Lack of Starters Allowing Bench To Shine

Jason Terry, Trevor Ariza
Jerome Miron- USA Today Sports

With the absence of key starters like Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley, the bench has really gotten an opportunity to shine. Jason Terry and Donatas Motiejunas have really stepped up their games, collectively averaging 10.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. Once the starting lineup returns to full form, this team will be scary good based not only on its starters, but on how well the role players have been performing.

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