Rockets at Celtics Official Game Thread <div align="center">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tracy_mcgrady.jpg"> T.McGrady:SF(29/7.5/4.0/2.0/1.0)</div> We <div align="center">Celtics P.Pierce:SF(27.8/8.2/4.0/1.4)</div> Amidst all the trade rumors, Pierce has been the Celtics' heart and soul. He continues to be one of the better shooter in the league. He's also an all around player that contributes when it matters most and a team leader on the floor. His penetration game contributes to the effectivity of the Celtics outside shooting, dishing out open 3 point shots to La Frenz, Davis and jump shots for Blount. Like TMac he's also hard to defend with his variety of ways releasing shots. <div align="center">Rockets J.HowardF(8.8/6.2/1.2)</div> Juwan has showed that he recovered well from his career-ending heart illness. He's also one of the Rockets' player that provide veteran leadership and has accepted well his role on the team. He's a mentor to Swift and a protector to Yao(remember during the Hornets game). He still have his perimeter game as well as his occasional post ups which has been unseccessful so far. He may not put his usual career numbers but when he gets hot he'll gonna do some damage. <div align="center">Celtics R.LaFrenzF(9.2/5.6/0.6</div> Raef and Juwan have the same game with the exception of Raef's extended range which goes beyond the 3 point line as well as his blocking ability. Although he's not putting anymore his blocking numbers like the days he was in Denver' he still a good defender. Aside from his outside shooting he has also the ability to finish on the rim. With Raef's shooting range he can draw opposing power forwards/centers outside their defensive assignment likewise dimishing their role in grabbing those offensive rebounds. If Juwan plays that game he might also do the same to Raef. <div align="center">Rockets Yao M.:C(20.2/8.8/1.8/2.8</div> With TMac's absence, Yao has been the focal point of the Rockets' offense thereby tiring him out easily and making him ineffective in late game situations. It's not easy being the primary scorer while TMac' out. You have to read the offense and run more plays in order to get better positioning. That takeas a lot of efforts from your big man. He has increased his scoring average which is good but his rebounding needs to be consistent also. Yao continues to be a match up nightmare to opposing teams with his towering height on the other end aside from his blocking ability he can change his opponents shots making it difficult for them to score a basket. Yao might be drawn to defend outside with Blount's perimeter abilities but a teammate might switch for him on certain situations. <div align="center">Celtics M.Blount:C(12.4/4.0/3.2)</div> Blount plays good when matched against the Rockets. He had a high FG% game the last time they met. He has the ability to draw opposing centers outside with his nice perimeter touch. This season he had shown that he's worth the lucrative contract that he signed last year. He's deadly when left open so Yao keep your defenses on. <div align="center"></div> Rockets: The Rockets boast one of the most experienced bench as well as promising young talents. Barry and Mutombo has defied age. Wesley however needs to find his shooting touch to compliment with his better defense. Swift needs to have his confidence back. He seems lost most of the time. If he wants to earn playing time he must compliment Yao well. He has the gifts, talents and abilities to show for. Head has been a surprise for JVG. If he continues to play beyond expectation the Rockets backcourt will be secured for the future. Hardworking Bowen should recover fast. Celtics: Danny Ainge has done a good job assembling a promising and youthful bench. With the absence of Banks and Allen the Celtics bench production have been depleted. Al Jefferson is the only threat while Dickau is still adjusting to his back to the bench role after a nice season with the Hornets. Scalabrine has been a dissappointment so far not showcasing his Larry Bird game mentality(the reason why the Celtics signed him). Gerald Green is still too far from contributing. Reed has shown some talents so better watch out. <div align="center"></div> The Rockets have been rejuvenated to see their no. 1 player back. Yao would have enough firepower to contribute in the second half. The Rockets have a momentum coming into the game after beating the fast-running and athletic Nets. The question is will they be able to extend their energy to play against the rested and youthful Celtics? Homecourt advantage would be a factor for the Celtics but the Rockets are a good road team. I don't do predictions but there's positive things coming in for the Rockets like TMac's return and Luther Head's gain of confidence. They'll gonna be back in contention.
I worry about the athleticism of the Celtic guards, Yao staying out of foul trouble, and guarding against the mid-range jumpers from Blount which killed us last year. Other questions: - Will Wesley come out with a strong game in consecutive games? - Will McGrady's back hold up after a back-to-back? - Can we contain Peirce and Davis and prevent them from drawing fouls from Yao? Also: - Can we keep Raef LaFraentz from going friggin' 7-7 in threes in the first half!? Jesus Christ!
Yeah, if we can successfully play defense on the talented, dangerous New Jersey backcourt, I don't see how we can't defend these high fliers. Hopefully Stromile Swift will finally get his confidence back and get some nasty dunks or something cause he is like a rocket ready to explode. Luther Head should contribute some threes and really looking forward for Yao to have his first 30 plus point game.
Who the heck is covering LaFrentz? He's bombing us from three land and has like twenty seven points so far and its not even the third quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Who the heck is covering LaFrentz? He's bombing us from three land and has like twenty seven points so far and its not even the third quarter.</div>7 for 7 from the arc, and all wide open shots. The Rockets' D is looking a little suspect on the perimeter. Yao, Juwan, and Dikembe never leave the paint to guard the Celtics' big men. Even Blount was knocking down wide open jumpers early on.
That's always been a weakness in Van Gundy's defensive scheme. It leaves the big men open for outside shots. It hurt us last year, and will probably be a weakness this year as well. In general, it's a good defensive strategy (we were one of the top 4 defensive teams last year), but we need to be flexible enough to alter it when playing teams like Boston or Dallas -- teams with good perimeter shooting big men.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">That's always been a weakness in Van Gundy's defensive scheme. It leaves the big men open for outside shots. It hurt us last year, and will probably be a weakness this year as well. In general, it's a good defensive strategy (we were one of the top 4 defensive teams last year), but we need to be flexible enough to alter it when playing teams like Boston or Dallas -- teams with good perimeter shooting big men.</div>I think we'll see a big adjustment in the second half. I guess you don't realize that guys like LaFrentz and Blount can kill you until you leave them wide open.
73-56 Ya we lost. I don't think we match up well at all with this team. They have always given us a problem. I wish we could feed the ball to Yao more often.
Why didn't Tmac play much? Is it because we were losing so bad it was hopeless? sorry didn't watch the game.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back As Rockets Fall To Celtics By Dennis L. Silva, II. 11.13.05 Perhaps the most telling point during Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Celtics was guard Tracy McGrady’s reaction to a missed shot. After airballing a long three-pointer early in the third period, McGrady turned and engaged in a friendly conversation with Celtics forward Paul Pierce, smiling and laughing while getting back on defense. That kind of apathetic attitude earned the Rockets’ an embarrassing 82-102 loss to the Celtics before 16,238 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston. Boston scored the first nine points of the game and never looked back. The Rockets missed five of their first six shots and committed three early turnovers as the Celtics ran out to a 13-4 lead. Celtic center Raef LaFrentz scored 14 points in the period on 4-4 shooting from 3-point range. The Rockets’ rotation on defense was lethargic and unlively, which allowed for LaFrentz to get open on pick-and-roll plays. Houston trailed entering the second period, 14-28. The Rockets managed a late run in the second period, outscoring the Celtics 14-2 to close to within eight points, 43-35, with 3:27 left in the half. However, again due to porous defense, LaFrentz (who would finish the first half with 27 points on 10-12 shooting, and 7-7 from 3-point range) scored on three more three-pointers to stave off any sort of Rockets rally and to give Boston a 55-44 advantage heading into halftime. Aside from the defense, the Rockets’ lack of ball movement and motion on offense was just as accountable for the horrific start. Houston was guilty of 13 first-half turnovers (which lead to 16 Celtic points) and only compiled a mere four assists total. Even more telling was the lack of support for McGrady and Yao Ming in the starting lineup. Boston’s starters outscored the Rockets’ starting five 50-21 in the first half, as Houston had bench players such as Luther Head and Stromile Swift to thank for staying remotely close to Boston. The second half was deplorable and pathetic, so it will only get one paragraph out of this recap. Boston ended the third period leading 84-63 as the Rockets could not solve Boston’s shooting off the pick-and-roll. The Rockets’ defense still refused to rotate to open Boston shooters. The team looked depressed and downright uncompetitive as a myriad of loose balls (Boston accumulated 14 offensive rebounds) and available rebounds found themselves in the open arms of willing Boston players. The fourth quarter was nothing more than garbage time, as little-used guard Moochie Norris’ ability to shoot three shots in his three minutes of playing time proved to be the most impressive feat. This was a completely different team than what showed up last night against New Jersey. Houston’s play on both ends of the floor was subpar. The Rockets shot only 37% from the field, while allowing Boston to shoot 48% from 3-point range (12-25) and 46% overall. Forward Stromile Swift was the lone bright spot for Houston, as he seemed to be the only Rocket active and scrambling for rebounds and open baskets. Swift finished with a season-high 17 points while also swatting three shots. McGrady, who looked disinterested for much of the contest, was held to 14 points on 5-10 from the floor, while Yao was responsible for another double-double this season, scoring 14 points and grabbing ten rebounds…while also grabbing and holding for five fouls. Through six games, the Rockets have proven themselves to be an inconsistent ballclub who seems to get frustrated early and often if things are not going their way. Every team is allowed a game where they just don’t show up and play lackadaisically- it’s just the way the NBA is. So this game is an aberration considering that this has been the lone game of six in which the Rockets have failed in the effort department. But games such as these must be of few since the team has yet to establish a consistent and effective playing rotation, which must be solved quickly with games against the Spurs and Pistons upcoming within the next five days. Rockets Recap · Guard David Wesley scored 10 points, but that was not telling of his shooting. His woes from the field continue as Wesley managed only 1-4 shooting · Rafer Alston, who entered the game shooting 31% from the floor, managed only 2-9 shooting against Boston, with only 1 assist. · LaFrentz finished the game one point shy of a career-high, scoring 32 points on 7-9 shooting from 3-point range. · Alongside LaFrentz, three other Celtics scored more than 15 points: Ricky Davis (19), Paul Pierce (19), and Mark Blount (17). · The Celtics outscored the Rockets 40-30 in the paint. http://www.nba.com/games/20051113/HOUBOS/boxscore.html
t-mac probaly played alot yesterday cause new jersy is alot better than celtics... and he was too tired to play alot like yesterday... we lost by 20... now our record is 2-4... not good at all... we need t-mac to rest tommorow so he can be 100 percent for the timbowolves
We have to get better play from our guards - Alston and Anderson in particular. And our defensive rebounding was very poor as well. Stromile collected only 2 defensive boards in 26 minutes, though he had a pretty good game otherwise. Give Boston credit though. I thought they played a very good defensive game. They were very smart to aggressively double team Tracy and Yao, knowing that the rest of the team has been anemic offensively. How are we going to deal with this kind of defense, which we know we'll be seeing a lot more of, in the future?
Boston revealed a big hole tonight, which is the weakness that the Rockets have on defending the perimeter. Although there aren't many centers like Lafrentz who can shoot 9 threes in a game at ease and make 7 of them, you have to wonder how we'll cope in the future with such centers. Yao looked lost out on the floor guarding Lafrentz, and it was too late before the Rockets played him tighter on the perimeter. The season is not looking all rosy yet, granted TMac is still playing with an injury and Sura isn't back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Proz4k:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't worry, we got this one </div> Heh. Heh. Heh.
Did anyone notice that Van Gundy apparently benched McGrady at around the 7 minute mark in the 3rd quarter? It happened a play or so after McGrady shot an airball, and was laughing about it with Paul Pierce on his way back down the court. Did JVG bench him because of that?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Did anyone notice that Van Gundy apparently benched McGrady at around the 7 minute mark in the 3rd quarter? It happened a play or so after McGrady shot an airball, and was laughing about it with Paul Pierce on his way back down the court. Did JVG bench him because of that?</div> I didn't specifically remember that play, but you may have a point. With JVG being the competitive coach that he is, I don't think he would be glad if you're losing and a pretty vital shot is missed. Not only isn't the player who took it angry at himself, he instead jokes about it and takes the miss lightly. It's stuff like this where I think that McGrady doesn't have the competitive spirit that all the great ones had. Not taking anything to heart is good, but what McGrady did is kind of taking it too far. If JVG benched him because of it, I wholeheartedly support the coach.
Locke and JVG need to loosen up. Your down by so much, losing the whole game. Who the hell cares. He was joking w/ Pierce saying something like I thought you were going to play D, and because you didn't I airballed. McrGady I hate losing to teams that dont have a chance in the playoffs. Screw Boston. And screw any one that thinks they will get passed the 1st round, and hell screw the Rockets if they dont get passed the first round this year... jk....*runs to his clutch bear, hugs and squeezes it tight and says "I love you."* btw i love boston, but stil hate NOK. Detroit isn't as low as it use to be on my list, they have shown that they are.....
