Warriors-Rockets: What to watch for

Programming note: Warriors-Rockets coverage begins tonight at 4:30pm with Warriors Pregame Live, and the tip-off follows at 5 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

TheWarriors snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Hornets inNew Orleans on Wednesday night. They complete their mini two-game road trip onThursday against the Houston Rockets.Houstoncurrently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference at25-22, and they are a half-game ahead of ninth-place Utah.RELATED: NBA conference standings
Hereare some things to watch for during Thursdays Warriors-Rockets game:Make3s: Despite being shorthanded without Andrew Bogut and Stephen Curry,the Warriors have been able to stay in games when theyre making shots from beyondthe arc.TheWarriors went 14-for-29 from 3-point range in their win over the Hornets onWednesday, with Klay Thompson and Brandon Rush each making four from beyond thearc.TheWarriors will likely struggle in the rebounding department through the final 22games, but they can mitigate that disadvantage by hitting from longrange.Rookiecontributions: It appears as if Warriors coach Mark Jackson is goingto start leaning a little more on the teams first-year players. Thompson, ofcourse, is already starting at shooting guard and playing big minutes now thatMonta Ellis is gone.ButJeremy Tyler and Charles Jenkins are not getting rotation minutes, and theyregoing to be counted on to provide a contribution. Tyler played 16 minutes againstthe Hornets and will probably get as manyif not more minuteson Thursdayvs. the Rockets because the Warriors are going to need more size against thatteam.Robinsonunder control: Point guard Nate Robinson played a nice floor game againstthe Hornets, and they need more of that. Robinson had eight points and 10assists in 29 minutes against New Orleans.Mostimportant Robinson had just two turnovers. When Robinson limits his bad shotsand keeps his turnovers under control he is usually a positive for GoldenState.Its when hes a volume shooter and doesnt take care of the ball that he hurtsthe team.