<div align="center"> VS March 7,2006, Tuesday, 7:00PM (CT)</div> <div align="center">Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</div> <div align="center">FSNSW</div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="red">Houston Rockets:</font> It remains to be seen if TMac can play tonight. So far he respopnded well to the treatment and made himself available for the trip to Minnesota. Bogans will probably start in his place just in case. On the other hand Yao Ming has been impressive since All Star Break averaging double digits in points and rebounding. He has been the Rockets primary scoring option most of the time especially when TMac is not in his usual dominant self. Rockets guards will be challenged again by the taller Twolves guards. In the last game McCants and Davis overpowered Wesley and Head as they scored easily when posting up. Another thing to be taken seriously is the emergence of Marcus Banks who have played well for the Wolves. The Rockets must cranked up the defense this time to prevent the Wolves' backcourt from dominating. <font color="blue">Minnesota Timberwolves:</font> Like the Rockets the Timberwolves have struggled this season. The search for finding perfect compliment players for KG seems to be endless as the trades they have done seems to be taking time to produce results. Davis had his same numbers, Blount has lowered his stat a little bit while Marcus Banks had a career year. If Tmac will not play tonight, the TWolves might have an easier assignment with only Yao to be taken seriously on the the defense. <div align="center"></div> Tonight's game will be a battle between two teams who has played below expectations. The Rockets might have a case to offer by being plagued by multiple injuries to key players but it's still not an excuse as other teams seems to manage to win games even without their star players. Besides they could have won a good number of games without either TMac or Yao if they have'nt collapsed defensively and offensiveley in the 4th quarter. Both the Rockets and the TWolves have almost identical records so every game left is important. The Twolves might apply again their backcourt dominance over the smaller Rockets. If TMac plays the Rockets might be able to neutralize this as Bogans would be fielded at the same time in place of Wesley to guard McCants or Davis. KG will have his usual numbers. In order to win the Rockets must be able to control the boards as well as click offensively. Yao and the rest must play well with or without TMac. It's already time for the Rockets with the exception of Yao to improve their FG percentage. Defense alone cannot win games if you're not capable offensively especially if you have lots of good looks courtesy of Yao and TMac attracting the defense. So far the Rockets' role players haven't taken advantage of that.
You know what the talk should not be whether tracy mcgrady will play of not the talk should be can yao beat garnett. look at it this way with out mcgrady minnesota and houston are level in talent outside superstar. I believe yao can prove this is his team and lead the team to victory
Load of respect for yao, but T-mac is still the man. he and luther are the ones with the guts to hit those clutch shots. yao need to turn up 30+ pts and 15+ rebound for us to win this game.
If yao shows he can win with out tracy mcgrady then that means van gundy needs to adjust his system to one that can let both player dominate instead of ball alwayz to mcgrady then yao maybe we can let mcgrady fast break well yao dominates half court
Rockets came out of the fourth quarter on a blazing 12-0 run, up by six now 73-67. Yao already has 28 and 10. Seems like Stromile Swift came out of bed today feeling good and thought, "Hey, why not play well today?" and now has 10 and 9. No Chuck Hayes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tinyballer:</div><div class="quote_post">If yao shows he can win with out tracy mcgrady then that means van gundy needs to adjust his system to one that can let both player dominate instead of ball alwayz to mcgrady then yao maybe we can let mcgrady fast break well yao dominates half court</div> This is only way to win
We win with STRO doing good, bur R. Brunson sucks and no one on our team can shoot a free throw apparently.
haha that was an UGLY last ONE minute, we actually could have lost! This better be a sign of a consistent Swift.
this is the yao we have all been waiting for the one that can start averaging 25pts wit 12 rebounds this is the one we want and now all we need is a health backed tracy mcgrady and the champ is ours a good young shooter in the offseason would be nice too. Stro was good too seemed better than howard gettin a double double man the rockets are becoming quite the team even winning against a team wit pretty decent players wit out mcgrady
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kramer_k:</div><div class="quote_post">haha that was an UGLY last ONE minute, we actually could have lost! This better be a sign of a consistent Swift.</div> Now how many times have we said that about Swift?
what a monster performance by Yao and a good team effort by the Rockets! With Yao playing the way he is how come hes not mention as a MVP candidate?
Looks like it'll be a Rockets win, with the team up 11 points and only 40 seconds left. Here are some of my observations and rants: -Yao continues to play well and carry the team, with 30, 13, and 4 blocks -Not the most efficient Yao, but still more efficient than any other Rocket -Yao's FT shooting is either very good or very bad. Started 0-4, but hit his last eight. His misses seem to usually come in bunches -Mark Blount- different team, but same result. He seems to always have a great offensive game when playing against Yao -Rockets need to run many lay-up drills. Rockets are a horrible fast-break team Ex. Head had a clear path to the basket, but passes to Swift who missed the ensuing shot. Bogans misses a wide open lay-up in the first half. -Swift- good stats, but he really needs to work on his low post game. I counted two missed dunks. -Brunson- except for going 0-3 at the line, I thought he had a good game -Swift Watch- A few misses close to the basket, and I saw him at the line twice, and still he barely even leans forward to get his hand-slaps Even though Rockets won, they have some work to do. When Yao went out, the team looked like a decapitated body. Just horrible. I dont know if it's JVG or the rest of the players, but without Yao, they did not look good. Swift needs to develop his game so that when Yao is out, he can become the Rockets offensive weapon. All in all, good win. Great defense to start the fourth. The Rockets showed a lot of character by coming from behind to win, all without T-Mac.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drunkenbarden:</div><div class="quote_post">what a monster performance by Yao and a good team effort by the Rockets! With Yao playing the way he is how come hes not mention as a MVP candidate?</div> The Rockets are losing, and the fact that this is just the second time we've won without McGrady doesn't say much about Yao's real importance to this team. Wow, 30 viewing this forum.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, 30 viewing this forum.</div> 32! Wow wins really draw people back...
