<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Memphis (11-5) at Houston (4-11) 8:30 pm EST HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Memphis Grizzlies will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games when they visit Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Swingman Mike Miller scored a season-high 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting in Memphis' 91-69 victory against Orlando on Friday. The last time Miller faced Houston, he suffered a lacerated left eye and concussion, playing just 22 seconds in the Grizzlies' 86-81 victory on November 25. Pau Gasol has stepped up this season, averaging career highs of 19.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Grizzlies, who are 8-3 in their last 11 games. Memphis owns an impressive 6-3 record away from home this season. Five-time All-Star McGrady scored 25 points in his return to Houston's lineup as the Rockets posted a 100-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. McGrady, who missed eight games due to an sprained back, committed eight of the Rockets' 18 turnovers. Houston went 0-8 in McGrady's absence. Rookie guard Luther Head has been a pleasant surprise for Houston, averaging 12.0 points and 4.2 assists in his last four games. Houston has a 28-13 lead in the all-time series but is just 2-7 since the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis. </div> http://www.nba.com/games/20051203/MEMHOU/preview.html I don't know exactly what it is, but I've always seen our games against Houston as rivalry games. There's the fact that we always play eachother on a set date every year (Martin Luther King Day), there's the fact that they're one of the closest NBA cities to Memphis, there's the whole Stromile Swift thing, and then there's just the arrogance of their fans. Every year since the Grizzlies have moved here, they've been particularly snoddy. We may be losing the series all-time, but in Memphis, we lead 2-7. Prediction - Grizzlies - 98 Rockets - 95 We've been amazing as of late, but the Rockets are back to their old form with McGrady on the roster. He makes such a huge impact on their team that it's hard to count them out when he's in the game.
Shane Battier will probably hold McGrady to a bad night from the field, but he'll get his 20 regardless. What I think the Grizz will have to do though is to hold Yao to a bad night. Frustrate him by contesting every shot, never let up on trying to draw fouls, and you have a Yao who is timid and indecisive. If Memphis can get him to shoot less than 40%, it'll put a lot more pressure on McGrady and the other role players. The Grizz obviously have the advantage, but I'm picking the Rockets by 5.
That has to be some sort of record.. 47-26 at halftime? Rockets... earth to Houston... Houston.... Houston do you copy...
My favourite moment was looking at the boxscores at 3/4 time and seeing Stromile Swift with 0 points and 5 turnovers. Quite enjoyable.
