<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (29-33)</font> at <font color="black">Spurs (48-14)</font> Sunday, March 12th, 2006, SBC Center, San Antonio, TX 3:30 ET; ABC for Houstonians only (dammit!) </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="black"> <font size="1">(T. Parker, E. Ginobli, B. Bowen, T. Duncan, R. Nesterovic)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Tony Parker - 19.4PPG Leading Rebounder:Tim Duncan - 11.2 RPG Assist Man: Tony Parker - 5.8 APG The 'X' Factor: Michael Finley (9.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.4 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Tony Parker</font> PPG: 19.4, RPG: 3.4, APG: 5.8 Parker has been on fire this season, and it doesn't look like its going to stop now. His quickness and penetration has allowed him to score an abundance of points and if he isn't defended well, he'll be doing so tonight. However, Tony Parker can also pass the ball around. Notching around six assists a game, he knows how to set his guys up and get them open shots. Something he'll need to watch in that area though are his turnovers. He averages just above three a game, so he needs to be a bit more careful with the ball. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/emanuel_ginobili.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Emanuel Ginobili</font> PPG: 15.1, RPG: 3.5, APG: 3.4 You're bound to be amazed tonight by none other than Ginobili. He's got nice penetration moves and can most definitely get to the rim. However, Ginobili can also do other things too besides going to his left. The acrobat has the nice three point shot, some passing ability, and a knack for getting steals. In fact, if he gets hot from three land, the opposition is screwed. A pretty good defender, he shouldn't have too much trouble with who he's matched up with tonight. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/bruce_bowen.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Bruce Bowen</font> PPG: 7.9 RPG: 3.9, APG: 1.5 Here you've got one of the best defenders in the league. Call him a dirty player, but Bowen still gets the job done. He definitely gets in front of his man's face and frustrates the opposition into either putting up horrible shots or not getting the ball at all. And although he's known for his defense, Bruce Bowen can consistently knock down the three ball from his sweet spot (the left and right sides of the basket). Don't leave him open, or he'll make you pay. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tim_duncan.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Tim Duncan</font> PPG: 18.8, RPG: 11.3, BPG: 2.0 Mr Fundamentals! Although this year Duncan's numbers are down a tad, he still gets the job done and is known as one of the best players in the league. He can score, he can rebound, he can defend, and he can pass the ball around a bit. Is there anything he can't do? Tonight his primary assignment is to take care of business down low and to abuse his opposition with scoring. With Howard or Swift matched up against him, Duncan should be able to score at will with that nice bank shot of his. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/radoslav_nesterovic.jpg[/imgl]<font color="black">Rasho Nesterovic </font> PPG: 5.0, RPG: 4.1, BPG: 1.2 Beats me why he's been starting forever for the Spurs but here's my best guess. Nesterovic complements the other players well and provides decent help defense. Or, Nazr Mohammed is just on the bench to provide a good second unit. Either way, Nesterovic isn't really that great on either ends of the court, although he does provide some nice blocks and alters some shots. However, he's definitely not an offensive force by any means and will most likely be employed to just grab a couple rebounds and put a hand in his man's face. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, D. Wesley, K. Bogans, J. Howard, M. Yao)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Yao Ming - 21.4 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 10.1 Assist Man: Rafer Alston - 6.6 APG The 'X' Factor: Stromile Swift (9.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.4 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rafer_alston.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Rafer Alston</font> PPG: 11.3, RPG: 4.0, APG: 6.6 Okay, so you've got a borderline frustrating player here. Alston definitely has the game records to be inconsistent, and his shot is very streaky. Sometimes he can drop twenty on the other team but on the other hand, will just have about five the next night. Tonight, thats probably going to be his primary goal other than moving the ball around- to score. With his quick crossover, Alston's going to have to attack to rim hard to draw some fouls and put the game in Rockets' favor. Oh, and here's to hoping his three point shot in on tonight. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_wesley.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">David Wesley</font> PPG: 10.7, RPG: 2.7, APG: 3.1 Oh joy, another streaky player. Again, Wesley can be crazy hot from three but on other nights, will just shoot something like one for seven. Tonight, he absolutely needs to be hot. His defense has deteriorated a bit from last season, but Wesley has to do everything in his power to stop Ginobili from driving into the basket as hard as that sounds. Although he's undersized, Wesley is a smart veteran that knows how to use some quickness to help the matchup in his favor. Unfortunely, thats going to be somewhat tough to do tonight. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/keith_bogans.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Keith Bogans</font> PPG: 8.3, RPG: 4.2, APG: 1.8 Starting in place of McGrady, Bogans obviously can't match the offensive output that McGrady brings, but fortunately, he can probably defend better. Last game that Bogans started, he put up an amazing statline of 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and great shooting. Tonight, he'll need to do something similar for the Rockets to win. Brought in for his quickness and athleticism, Bogans is doing a great job with that along with giving the team some much needed toughness and defense. The question is, can he keep that up when he's going to be blanketed by one of the best defenders in the league? </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/juwan_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Juwan Howard</font> PPG: 11.1, RPG: 6.6, APG: 1.5 I honestly don't know why Howard's been starting so long. Van Gundy attributes it to veteran savyness, but seriously, come on. Howard's been missing a lot of open shots even when McGrady's playing but playing against Duncan minus some double teams? Still, he's known to step it up whenever McGrady's gone and no doubt, I expect him to do so tonight. With mediocre defense and slightly above average defense, Howard has had an average season. On the offensive side he can knock down the jumper (sometimes), post up a bit (kinda), and well, hit jumpers (sometimes. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Yao Ming</font> PPG: 21.4, RPG: 10.1, APG: 1.4 Yao's been playing amazing. Seriously. Over the past few games, Yao has put up monstrous games with thirty point games and double digit rebounding in the past three. Plus, he's been a solid defensive presence in the past two with four and five blocks. Making a great case for himself as the best center in the league, right now Yao's the only good thing going for the Rockets. He's going to have to carry the team pretty much tonight and hope to god that Duncan can't stop him. Yao needs to dominate in this game, period. End of story. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="black">Limit Yao</font> - As the only real Rockets option, the Spurs should do everything in theri power to limit Yao's touches by fronting him and putting a man behind him. [*]<font color="black">Kill them with the guards</font> - With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili holding down the backcourt, they're going to be able to run circles around Alston and Wesley. Alston's only an average defender while Wesley is a bit too old to keep up with them.[*]<font color="black">Duncan!</font> - Mr. Fundamentals can get it done. Give him the ball and let him get to the rim to perhaps draw some fouls on Yao. Plus, you've got freakin Howard covering him. [*]<font color="red">Yao!</font> - Run the offense through Yao, simple as that. He's Houston's primary option right now and he's been putting up monstrous games. Doesn't take a genius to figure this one out.[*]<font color="red">Role players step it up</font> - Without McGrady, the role players need to make up his absense with some stellar shooting and some smart plays.[*]<font color="red">Team Defense</font> - Beat the Spurs at their own game. Since we've lost a lot of offensive output in McGrady, the Rockets should try to just stick a hand in their man's face and play some stellar defense to make up for the lack of offense. [/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Spurs: 94, Rockets: 88 <font size="1"> *All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks.</font>
Is the game at 7:30, or 2:30 on ABC? Rockets.com says 2:30 on ABC, but I've heard some other reports(?). As for the game, I think the Rockets take this after riding a monstrous Yao. The Spurs won't want Duncan on Yao, and Rasho and Nazr can only beat up Yao for a limited time. Rockets 92 Spurs 86 EDIT from ABOVE: From what I've heard/read, if you're not in good 'ol Tejas, you get to watch the Sonics-Lakers game on ABC. The Rockets-Spurs game is ONLY regional.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Is the game at 7:30, or 2:30 on ABC?</div> Sorry, its on 3:30 ET. My bad, I copied the format from your Pacers preview so I forgot to change it. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> EDIT from ABOVE: From what I've heard/read, if you're not in good 'ol Tejas, you get to watch the Sonics-Lakers game on ABC. The Rockets-Spurs game is ONLY regional.</div> Dammit. That means now if I want to watch NBA, it goes from my favorite team to my most hated team.
What? I thought I was gonna get a good Rockets game today. Instead I have to see Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant compete for the most threes made? Life ain't fair. Without McGrady and facing one of the best teams in the league, it's hard to bet against the Spurs on taking this one. However, with the way Yao's been playing, anything seems possible. Tony Parker has been great at penetrating to the hoop and Yao would need to be careful not to pick up early fouls, as once he's out we don't really have a go-to guy. Howard will probably be limited offensively due to the defense of Duncan. I have to take the Spurs here by 7.
^^^I agree, no tmac = a loss against the champs.....I think the rockets will keep it close, but I'm going with Spurs 98, Rockets 92
Ok this is it if they put nesterovic on yao yao dominates him if they put duncan on yao we put swift him and dominate nesterovic once again as simple as dat. As for backcourt Bogans better take it to the hole draw some fouls and shoot his open shots same with wesley now the job of creating rests a lot more on alston and its his time to show us what he can do in creating now that our main playmaker is gone. For defence put yao on neterovic swift/howard on duncan alston on bowen wesley on parker bogans on gillnobili Prediction. Huge 40pts game from yao leading us to a 90-80 victory
Dammit get Swift in there Howard can't keep up with duncan in any category and he ain't doing nothing offensively get Swift in. He can at least keep duncan in check.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tinyballer:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok this is it if they put nesterovic on yao yao dominates him if they put duncan on yao we put swift him and dominate nesterovic once again as simple as dat. As for backcourt Bogans better take it to the hole draw some fouls and shoot his open shots same with wesley now the job of creating rests a lot more on alston and its his time to show us what he can do in creating now that our main playmaker is gone. For defence put yao on neterovic swift/howard on duncan alston on bowen wesley on parker bogans on gillnobili Prediction. Huge 40pts game from yao leading us to a 90-80 victory</div> Swift couldn't dominate Earl Boykins. Wow my Rockets are doing well up until half-time. 42-38 at the half. If they win today, I will jump back on the playoff bandwagon. But I think the Spurs are going to dominate in the 3rd and go up by 13ish, and the Rockets will make a nice run to get back within 5 points but run out of time. McGrady MVP 07!
Damn! Yao with 17 points at halftime. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Swift couldn't dominate Earl Boykins.</div> Swift can't even dominate Amal Mccaskill.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">Swift couldn't dominate Earl Boykins. Wow my Rockets are doing well up until half-time. 42-38 at the half. If they win today, I will jump back on the playoff bandwagon. But I think the Spurs are going to dominate in the 3rd and go up by 13ish, and the Rockets will make a nice run to get back within 5 points but run out of time. McGrady MVP 07!</div> I would have been right on the 13ish if Finley hit that uncontested jumper that rolled out, but those two points were made up in the 4th. 7 rather than 5. I was close about that...therefore McGrady will be runner up for MVP next season. Losing it to Yao Ming.
Damn, 25 and 10 for Yao seems abnormal now, after all, it's somewhat of a letdown after his post All-Star performance. Still, he did outperform Duncan and kept the Rockets in the game, just didn't get enough help from others. Is Wesley injured or something? Noticed he didn't return since the second quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, 25 and 10 for Yao seems abnormal now, after all, it's somewhat of a letdown after his post All-Star performance. Still, he did outperform Duncan and kept the Rockets in the game, just didn't get enough help from others. Is Wesley injured or something? Noticed he didn't return since the second quarter.</div> Not after you take into consideration that it was against the best defensive team in the NBA. Along with being guarded by Duncan...Great performance by Yao. I can only hope we get top 10 picks in the first round.
Another great game by yao but like garnett one can only do so much. Man we need head and we need bogans alston to create for themselves and create more baskets
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post"> Is Wesley injured or something? Noticed he didn't return since the second quarter.</div> I believe he has a rib injury ... is this team snake-bit or what?
Yea that stupid camera men (probably going for the Spurs) left his knee sticking out and Wesley's ribs landed right on it. Get out of the phucking way! Yea that makes us injury prone? pfffffffffffffffffft
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Yea that makes us injury prone? pfffffffffffffffffft</div> Why do you think our record is what it is? Because guys like McGrady, Anderson, Alston, Yao, Barry, Swift, and Sura (still is) were all injured at one point in this season.
Yao put up some nice numbers, but he was actually below average for what he's been doing of late. Keep in mind that he played 41 minutes, but only got 10 rebounds (including 0 offensive boards). He's averaging 10 rebounds in 34 minutes on the season. I'm not blaming Yao, San Antonio is a fantastic defensive and rebounding team. We were just overmatched this game. Fortunately, our three-pointers were going down because otherwise we wouldn't have even had a chance.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, 25 and 10 for Yao seems abnormal now, after all, it's somewhat of a letdown after his post All-Star performance. Still, he did outperform Duncan and kept the Rockets in the game, just didn't get enough help from others. Is Wesley injured or something? Noticed he didn't return since the second quarter.</div> I sincerely believe that Yao should of cared his stats more badly than any of us and as a matter of fact he seems to care about the team's record more than that. Good for him! The problem right now for Houston is when the big guy has been in trouble with scoring once in a while, no one seems to step up to attack the rim along with him, or not stable enough to do that until the big man comes back.
