If Howard and Beverley don't play tonight, then they are guaranteed to play at a lower level in the playoffs. It means their injuries are worse than expected, and they will be rusty.
I don't think it's that big of an advantage. We won the series 3-1. Even if they take the home court, I don't think its too far fetched to say that we can win the series. Home court wont matter beyond than since We get SAS. Keeping Howard to 100% is more important than getting one extra game at home. HEALTHY HOWARD AT SERIES > 1 EXTRA GAME AT HOME
I live in Australia so I can't really make it to the games, but if I did live in Houston I'd want HCA for the simple fact that I could go to see the games. Not only that, HCA is an achievement that not only will help us win in the first round, but a great selling point to potential free agents. I want HCA!!! I believe that we should've played the starters when the lead got down to 4 against Denver...the Vipers were gassed. ....& last night against the Wolves? Some if those shots from Corey Brewer were just luck...but you make your own luck in life & a bit of defence would have went a long way. A Turiaf like hard foul might have made him think twice about strolling into the paint, but that's life. We have to win & secure HCA. Momentum goes a long way & you don't want to go into a series against a hot team when you've been lolly gagging.