NBA Viewers Guide: November 11th

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Houston Rockets (4-3) at Toronto Raptors (3-4)

Nov 9, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Matchup to Watch: Dwight Howard vs. Jonas Valanciunas

This is tonight’s official “We need a win over a good team award”. The Toronto Raptors are, well, the Toronto Raptors and are relying on Rudy Gay to lead them while the Houston Rockets have dealt with a few problems so far.

For one Howard-Asik isn’t doing well (surprise) and James Harden’s bad defense and nagging injuries have hampered him so far. For a team with a high ceilings, things are looking pretty bad. Luckily for them it’s only game eight and the Raptors are the toughest team in the league. It’s too early to yell panic, but a loss to Toronto may be reason enough to sound the horns.