<div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets (12-25)</font> vs <font color="black">Bulls (16-22)</font> Friday, January 20th, 2006 United Center, Chicago, Illinois 7:30 CT; FSNSW and NBATV </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Luol Deng</font> PPG: 13.5, RPG: 6.10, APG: 1.8 Luol will have an interesting matchup with fellow youngster Luther Head. It will prove to be an exciting battle, but Deng probably comes out on top, he will definitely be able to push around Luther. But on the defensive end, he will have some sprinting to do, and if Luther hits his shots, this will be a bad night for Deng. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/othella_harrington.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Othella Harrington</font> - PPG: 5.16, RPG: 2.8, BPG: 0.2 The Former Rocket, Big O (ok, maybe not..), has been around the league for a while. Not very tall, Othella has a big body, and a lot of heart when he sets his mind to something. He will not trouble Deke much, nor will he be a defensive factor, the Rockets should attack attack attack the basket as much as possible. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_sweetney.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Mike Sweetney</font> PPG: 9.9, RPG: 6.2, APG: 1.1 Sweetney and Howard have been averaging similar numbers, and considering their playing styles, this will prove to be a matchup to watch. Whether Sweetney is chasing the Rockets' guards, or staying back in the lane really depends on what Juwan throws at him. Offensively, Sweetney will probably get his average, nothing more, nothing less. Defensively, he's gonna have to worry about a "I have become the first option on my team, and now will score 20 a game, every game, except when I play against an elite Power Forward" Juwan Howard. Last time I checked, Sweetney isn't an elite forward, hopefully Juwan recognizes this. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">Role players step up</font> - Again, this is a key to the game. Well, since we only have role players, whoever is on the court better step up. Against a young, fast, athletic, Bulls team, if we have another game like Atlanta (Don't get me started on Dallas.), we're gonna be in for a Texas whipping -- by Chicago.[*]<font color="red">Luuuuuuuther</font> - This guy was good at the early part of the season, now he has come back to earth. Yet he is a key to the game as he will be defending 3 of the most potent, young guards in the league. All of which are young, none of which are Rookies. He's gonna have his hands full, hopefully he'll be able to put the ball in the basket to cancel atleast one of them out.[*]<font color="red">Over-coaching</font> - I still say this team has a shot at the playoffs. We are a good team with our big 2 healthy. But the thing is, JVG OVERCOACHES. The guy believes taht we should be over .500 when 2 players, who combine for nearly 50 points are missing from the squad. We just played through title contenders, young athletic teams, and teams with nothing to lose. His pessimist ways aren't getting anyone anywhere, just admit the fact that we need the 50 points we're missing. [*]<font color="black">Good Start</font> - If the Bulls can have all guns blazing by the second quarter, this game will be done before we know it. The fact that they probably won't be tired, as they are all young, and the fact that we are missing a few key players, this game should be fairly easy if they can hit their stride.[*]<font color="black">Outplay the Rockets' Backcourt</font> - These kids are some of the best and most exciting guards in the league right now, and they should do their best to try exploiting the Rockets' older guards. Though they may lack the mental edge, physically there is no contest. Alston and Head might give them a run for their money, but constantly attacking Wesley could be the key to this game.[*]<font color="black">Keep the Rockets in foul trouble</font> - Deke and Juwan are key for the Rockets right now, and if JVG is forced to play Swift and Bowen for extended minutes, we may have a problem, and the game will be lost.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Rockets will not lose. Game goes into over-time, with Head hitting a game-winning three from the corner after good work from Rafer. Rockets: 101 , Bulls: 99 <font size="1">* Apparently, Tracy McGrady will be a game-time decision, after what was a definite NO for the game. Whether he plays or not totally changes the game. ** Yao Ming will not be playing tonight. -All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here, thanks.</font>
think t-mac should just rest until hes 100 PERCENT HEALTHY.... too riskys for him... another loss by a margin of 5-9...
Well, I just hope the rockets play their best, I have nothing more to ask for than that. By the way, I think the prediction should be bulls and not nuggets [red]<font size="-2">Problem fixed ~Locke[/red]</font>
It'll be hard for Deke to guard Harrington tonight. Against Chris Bosh, Mutombo was reluctant to come out to contest the mid range shots, and Harrington is similar, although he doesn't have as much range as Bosh. However, expect either Harrington or Songaila, another big man with a shot, to have a field night against Mutombo tonight. Mike Sweetney gets into foul trouble easily and we should attack him regularly. Anyone know when Derek Anderson will come back? He seems to have just disappeared.
it said on the newspaper hes taking his time... he siad he doesn't want to be like jon barry etc... he said he could workout but scared that it would hurt again...
TMac's back, and the Rockets are in their first winnable game in a few weeks. Down two right now with 11 seconds to go. Juwan Howard stole all the glory shooting 15-27 and getting 30 points. Chuck Hayes is also having a marvellous NBA debut, getting 12 and 8 already and on the court in the crunch minutes.
04.9: McGrady misses 20 ft jumper 03.6: McGrady offensive rebound 02.1: McGrady makes 17 ft jumper Tied at 90, going to OT ...
Second OT here we come. TMac has come been huge in the first OT, let's see if he can keep it up. Also very impressed by Hayes, he's a keeper.
Also very impressed by Hayes, he's a keeper.[/QUOTE] He seemed to always be around the ball!!!And a tenacious rebounder!!!!
Yes we won! TMac, Howard, Wesley and Alston had a great game but Chuck Hayes is the MAN!!! Hopefully we could keep him. He's a monster in rebounds and always in good position to score.
I get moved by this game. T-MAC injects too much postive things into the team. Just too happy.Wow, first win in one, oh no, two , almost three weeks.
i don't know... i think the bulls should BE DISAPOINTED BY THEMSELF... lol.. chuck had one great game... hopefuly he could keep it up... looks like we don't need lucas... (rafer plays almost the whole time) keep haye...
DAMN it's sad they didn't keep the streak going..they almost becme record breakers. This sux i expected them to keep losing
Is this what a win feels like? Great clutch effort by McGrady tonight, turning it up a notch in the overtimes when it counted. Chuck Hayes has played much better than Lonny Baxter has ever played and it's probably going to be a given that he'll get Lonny and maybe even some of Swift's minutes. Rafer Alston also was impressive in finding the open man although his shot wasn't falling.
*Crawls out of the dark* Urrrgh...My eyes...do they decieve me?... Lmao just kidding, I followed the game using play by play, it was awesome, I was hoping that Chuck would get a double double and he really did awesome, I didn't know Chicago had Stephen Graham though, and when Ben Gordon took the shot at the end of the fourth I was scared as hell...But T-Mac and Juwan were great, and I have to mention Chuck again, what an NBA Debut...
sorry for being negative, but no one has noticed that even with tmac scoring alot of points we still went into overtime...twice. This team has a lot of work to do because chicago isn't close to making the playoffs either. When we beat a playoff team, then the celebration begins.
