<div align="center">http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/RocketsPreview/backcourtver1.jpg"> [b]Rockets http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/RocketsPreview/frontcourtver1.jpg"> [b]Rockets http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d36/RocketsPreview/benchver1.jpg"> HereSlight Houston Advantage.[/b] Alright, well after a three game win streak, the Rockets have gained a bit of momentum coming into this game. However, I'm not too sure that will matter since we're playing in Oakland and the Warriors is a very good team. They beat us twice in the last couple of games last season with really nothing to play for so it'll be interesting to see how these two teams matchup. I want a Houston win as bad as anyone, so I'm not going to predict anything here. By the way, sorry for the short preview, I've got my first rec league game tonight, so I'm kind of doing this with limited time.</div>
This is a big game for us. GS is right now settled in the 7th seed (if the playoffs started today), which I think is about the best we can hope for at this time. Here's a comparison of the two teams over the last 10 games, ranking how they've done in various categories relative to their opponents: <font size=""2""><font face=""Courier New"">Pace ----- GSW: ~95 possessions/game (2/30) HOU: ~87 possessions/game (27/30) Shooting from the field (effective fg% differential) ------------------------------------------------ GSW: +2.1% (9/30) HOU: -0.8% (18/30) Forcing Turnovers Per 100 Poss. (turnovers forced differential) ----------------------------------------------------------- GSW: +0.1 (16/30) HOU: -2.1 (27/30) Offensive Rebounding (off. reb. % differential) -------------------------------------------- GSW: -1.46% (18/30) HOU: -0.82% (16/30) Getting Freethrows and Making Them (100*ftm/fga differential) ------------------------------------------------------------- GSW: -2.06 (19/30) HOU: +3.86(7/30)</font></font> I think the key for us is limiting turnovers and forcing them to shoot a low percentage from the field. Pace is also important. GSW likes to push the pace, which conflicts with our style. If we do well in these areas, while maintaining an advantage on the boards and getting to the free throw line (and making them), then we'll give ourselves a good shot of winning the game.
I dont know about all them numbers but I am looking forward to seeing JRich and TMac go at each other on both sides of the ball. That will be worth watching in itself.
Wow, really nice game thread, and this one is shorter than usual? Great job guys. Pietrus is injured and Warriors are coming off a OT win in Seattle last night. They may be pretty sluggish but Warriors have home court advantage and are more motivated because they rarely get on national TV. Big game for both teams as Houston is on a nasty road trip and GS is going on one just after this game.
Derek Anderson may not play tonight. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size=""4"">Anderson hurting</font> The Rockets did not leave their health problems at home, though the latest injury ? guard/forward Derek Anderson's bruised right knee ? seems less serious than the series of injuries that have plagued the team since training camp. Anderson bruised the knee diving for a loose ball in Portland and is questionable tonight against the Warriors. "He banged his right knee and it's sore and swollen," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said. "If the swelling goes out, he'll be fine. He was a lot better (Tuesday) than (Monday). He's probably a game-time decision." Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said that if Anderson is unable to play, rookie Stephen Graham, signed Saturday, could see playing time tonight. -HoustonChronicle</div>
Watch Baron Davis + Jason Richardson play togather is indeed entertaining. As long as David Wesley and Luther Head can slow down Davs and Richardson a bit, Rockets have a great chance to win. I don't see there's anybody can stop Yao and T-Mac tonight.
i'm not that sure rockets are going to win... barons last game against us had 40 something points and beat us....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tr@cy&ya0:</div><div class="quote_post">i'm not that sure rockets are going to win... barons last game against us had 40 something points and beat us....</div> I think you belong here. http://www.justbball.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25 And you call yourself a Rockets fan.
The Warriors have a lot of offensive weapons and Adonal Foyle has the game to contend with Yao defensively. We need Yao to step up after his bad outing against Portland, and TMac can't step down. Jason Richardson is a very good wing player and it'll be exciting to watch the two square off. Guard transition situations well and the Rockets will be in this one all game long. And oh, stop Zarko Carbapaka, the last time we played he murdered us. Chances of the Rockets winning this one, sadly, should be less than 50%. The Warriors are a great team and are coming off a morale-boosting win. The Rockets, though, are on a win streak, so anything can happen.
Yao is not getting bullied in the zone so hes playing pretty well.. So it looks like a houston win... if it all goes well in the 2nd half.
this is what i call a dynamic duo right here, t-mac with 15 pts and 5 assists and yao with 17 pts at the half, hope these 2 keep up the good work and get annother W for the rockets
The ref is by the Warriors side.. Did you guys see those 2 bs calls on yao ming. First it wasn't travelling and 2nd it wasn't charging... Dunleavy just flopped ... Things refs do just to get the crowd going... Pathetic... hope yaozer plays better in the 4th
Clutch 3 by Luther Head sends it to Overtime! I love this guy! He never seems to lose confidence. T-Mac also had a block on J-Rich that prevented any last second win by the Warriors.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">Clutch 3 by Luther Head sends it to Overtime! I love this guy! He never seems to lose confidence. T-Mac also had a block on J-Rich that prevented any last second win by the Warriors.</div> That play was really nice...first JVG offensive play that makes sense! What a shot by HEAD though.. hope tmac wakes up and takes over!
We won! Great comeback by the Rockets. They outscored the Warriors 16-5 in the last 5 mins of the 4th and then dominated the OT. Although they missed a lot of 3 point attempts, they made the ones that mattered most. Luther Head oh man! He's already getting used to play in pressure situations as well as making those shots. Ryan Bowen was wild again. I wish I could have recorded the game. Too bad I'm working nights. I have to be contend with the internet and radio. Anyway it feels good to win this kind of game.
Great game...Gud to see us win one even with T-Mac struggling in the second half. Though he did hit a big three late and had the block on JRich. Wesley showing that he still has plenty left in him. Ryan Bowen did a good job of staying under the bucket instead of outside for the jump shot. Yao had his best game this season. Head struggled a bit all game but erased all that with the all important shot. What was Moochie doing in the game in the last minute?? He overdribbles and loses the ball...Winning makes up for so much...
