<div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color=""DimGrey"">Spurs (5-1)</font> at <font color="red">Rockets (5-2)</font> Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:30 ET; NBATV</div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, K. Snyder, T.McGrady, S. Battier, M. Yao)</font></font></div> <font size=""1"">Leading Scorer: Yao Ming - 27.3 ppg Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 10.0 rpg Assist Man: Tracy McGrady - 6.4 apg The "X" Factor: Tracy McGrady (17.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.4 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> Although he hasn't exactly improved to the point that many expected him to be, Rafer Alston's doing a fine job of holding down the point guard spot for the Rockets. He's improved his shooting percentages compared to last year, and has obviously done a decent job of spotting up and making sure double teams don't exploit the superstars. However, he is having trouble with turning the ball over- notching three turnovers per game, while averaging a little above five assists. Still, Alston does an average defensive job, and is a solid player for the Rockets. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shane_battier.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Shane Battier</font> With Bonzi Wells injured for a while, the starting shooting guard spot has rotated a couple times since the season opener. However, it seems that Battier has cemented the starting shooting guard role for the Rockets and matching up with the other team's best offensive player for defense. A great hustle player, Battier does many things that don't show up on the stat sheet such as taking charges, scrambling for loose balls, tipping rebounds, and playing frustrating defense against the opposition. However, when you take a look at his stats, it doesn't take long to realize that Battier's a great effective role player for the Rockets. Quite simply, he makes shots does a good job of moving the ball around. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tracy_mcgrady.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Tracy McGrady</font> Tracy McGrady has definitely not been playing up to par with what most expect for him to put up. His stats have been considerably down, most notably, his points per game looks small in comparison to his Orlando days. Although every game it looks like he's going to break out, that hasn't happened yet. However, even when he's not scoring, McGrady doing a great job of playing point forward. He's distributing the ball very nicely and finding very nice open looks for his teammates. Thus, even though he's lost a step in scoring, he's doing a pretty good job of playing the facilitator of offense. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/juwan_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Juwan Howard</font> With Chuck Hayes injured for two weeks, Juwan Howard gets his chance to shine for the Rockets. At the age of thirty three, he's definitely not the player he used to be. However, Howard does still occasionally hit the open jumpers that the Rockets give him as well as doing a little rebounding. At this point, his defense is about mediocre to average- lacking the height to really guard the taller Duncans, but also lacking the explosiveness to make up for it. In short, expect him to be taking the jumpers that the Rockets give him, but nothing much more. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Yao Ming</font> Yao is on a roll after steamrolling the Knicks and Heat with his flurry of points, rebounds, and blocks. Compared to last season, he's doing a great job of demanding the ball and being the number one option of offense with McGrady not playing like he used to. In addition, Yao's also grabbing a ridiculous amount of rebounds and playing some pretty good defense in the paint. However, the one thing that can hurt him tonight is foul trouble. Occasionally, he still makes some mistakes on defense- usually leading up to him racking up fouls and being benched. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="dimgrey"> <font size="1">(T. Parker, E. Ginobili, B. Bowen, T. Duncan, F. Oberto)</font></font></div> <font size=""1"">Leading Scorer: Tony Parker - 24.2 ppg Leading Rebounder: Tim Duncan - 11.0 rpg Assist Man: Tony Parker - 5.3 apg The "X" Factor: Emanuel Ginobili (13.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.8 apg</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="dimgrey">Tony Parker</font> With this season and last, Tony Parker has really come into his own in the league. Very quietly, he has taken over the scoring load for the Spurs for Duncan and is doing a great job of it at that. He's got that nice floater that he consistently makes, and overall, scoring wise Parker's a very efficient player. In addition, it seems that he's also got an improved three point shot as well. Learning from Popovich, Parker also plays great defense, so don't expect him to slouch on that side of the game either. Overall, the only thing you can really make a case for him not doing is dishing the ball. However, with Ginobili also handling distributor duties, you have to forgive him for that. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/emanuel_ginobili.jpg[/imgl]<font color="dimgrey">Emanuel Ginobili</font> For whatever reason, Ginobili's certainly lost a step since his 04-05 All Star days. However, he's still a great offensive player nonetheless and shouldn't be taken lightly. Ginobili's got a great left handed drive and can make the defender pay if he's not concentrating on shutting him down. However, he can also rain down from the three point arc, which makes guarding him all the more tough. Although he's considered a bonafide flopper, Ginobili's got a decent defensive game as well. Overall, he's a solid shooting guard for the Spurs. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/bruce_bowen.jpg[/imgl]<font color="dimgrey">Bruce Bowen</font> Perhaps one of the best defensive players in the league, Bruce Bowen plays some of the best man on man defensive that the NBA offers. He'll certainly get in his man's face and frustrate them to force ugly shots up. Don't expect him to soften up tonight against McGrady. Whether or not he's actually a dirty defensive player, thats up the viewer's discretion. In addition, Bowen also has a solid three point shot from the corners and can make the other team pay for doubling up on Duncan. Thus, whoever's defending him needs to make sure he doesn't get open shots, because he does have the ability to make them. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tim_duncan.jpg[/imgl]<font color="dimgrey">Tim Duncan</font> Although he's definitely aged, Duncan's still playing the great fundamental basketball that he's been playing so far in his career. After having a bad season last year suffering from plantar fasciitis, Duncan's rebounded very nicely and is putting up great numbers for the Spurs. Duncan almost always puts up the very sexy 20/10 statline as well as playing beastly defense his team. With his long arms and good fundamentals, expect him to frustrate guys in the low post tonight, and minimalizing them to tough shots in the paint. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/fabricio_oberto.jpg[/imgl]<font color="dimgrey">Fabricio Oberto</font> While he was somewhat of a disappointment last season, Oberto's really starting to hold down the starting center spot for the Spurs. He can score, rebound, and play solid defense. In fact, just the other night, Oberto racked up a 22/10, going 11-11 from the floor. He's doing a great job of playing his role and making sure the other teams don't double up too much on Duncan in the low post. </font> <div align="center"></div> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">YAO! </font> - At this point, Yao's their main offensive weapon, so the Rockets are going to have to make a consistent effort to feed him the ball in the post and run the offense through him. In addition, they're also going to have to watch out for the almost constant foul trouble possibility and make sure they don't leave him in the game too long when he picks up those fouls.[*]<font color="red">Defense</font> - The Rockets are definitely playing against a great offensive team tonight with Ginobili, Parker, Duncan, and a great bench at the Spurs' disposal. Thus, the Rockets are going to have to toughen up on defense and not let them get any easy shots. [*]<font color="red">Team Offense</font> - Yao obviously can't beat the Spurs by himself, so its very important that McGrady and the role players step it up and provide some scoring as well. Hopefully, this will be the game that McGrady explodes in offense. [*]<font color="dimgrey">Get Yao into foul trouble</font> - Best way to limit Yao's scoring is to let him foul himself out of it. To do so, the Spurs are going to have to run a bunch of screens and pick and roles with Parker. A fast and quick guard, Parker can easily penetrate inside and create some problems for Yao. [*]<font color="dimgrey">Shut the role players down</font> - Another way to beat the Rockets is to stop the other players besides Yao from scoring. Obviously since one man can't win the game by himself, by limiting the role players' points, the Spurs can easily outscore the Rockets in this game. [*]<font color="dimgrey">Get Parker going</font> - Obviously, since he's their main option for offense, it would be smart to get him into his rhythm early going. By doing this, the Spurs can create open shots for guys like Ginbili, Barry, and Bowen, as well as possibly giving Yao some foul trouble. [/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Rockets win, 92-89. <font size="1"> *All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks.</font>
Nice preview AznxBaller <font size=""1"">"Shut the role players down - Another way to beat the Rockets is to stop the other players besides Yao from scoring. Obviously since one man can't win the game by himself, by limiting the role players' points, the Spurs can easily outscore the Rockets in this game."</font> I agree, this seems to be the most effective way to beat the Rockets. I would do this in the 2nd half especially so the stars are forced to win the game. If I were the opposing teams coach I would double Yao when the game starts just so he doesn't get going early. If they can get Yao into foul trouble and shut the role players down, then they will easily get the W. TTTTTTTTTTMAC Come Back! If we beat the Spurs today we are second in the WC (even though we would have the same record as the Spurs, if we beat them, we would have a win on them, thus putting us ahead of the Spurs...someone check me on that.) Lets try to make it 6-2 baby! <font size=""1""> All good things have to come to an end</font> Prediction: Rockets win, 88-84
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Tracy and Juwan playing well early on in the first quarter.</div> T-macs looks like his old self!!! And Battier playin some great D!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">anybody know what channel on tvu this is on?</div> CCTV-5 Great game so far for the Rockets. We're keeping it close with one of the elites of the league.
whooooie. T-mac already has 14 and the first half's not even over yet. Yao better get some rebounds though.
McGrady's officially back! He just made a buzzer beater three right before the end of the first half to go along with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
<div class="quote_poster">Mag Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Woah T-Mac. Someone likes to come play against the Spurs!</div> That 3 to go up by <u>13</u> at the half from the same spot the 13 in 35 game winning shot happened....beautiful.
Wow, you're right igotask8board, it brought me goosebumps when I watched that last play of the half. A lot of it was similar, like how he shot it over two Spurs, was shooting it running forward, and how it looked like there was no way in hell it would go in. Only thing different was that Head passed it over to him. EDIT- McGrady just made a shot clock beating three right over Bowen...
My boiii TMAC is officially BACCKKK!!! Damn, I know Bruce Bowen hates Tmac. Tmac is jaying the hell outta Bruce I love tmac!!
Guys I'm only keeping track via play-by-play online and I saw Battier and Elson both had fouls at the same time. Technicals? Anyone wanna enlighten me?
Ugh. . we have a ball game now. Come on Rockets, why can't we put teams away? This is unbelievable! They're ripping us apart now. We must get back to the essentials. . defense, easy basket. Feed Yao and Juwan needs to make sure his man isn't doubling Yao. For such an experienced player he sure is an idiot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Guys I'm only keeping track via play-by-play online and I saw Battier and Elson both had fouls at the same time. Technicals? Anyone wanna enlighten me?</div> No clue, I've been watching the game, but I didn't catch that. But its the end of the third, and its obvious the Rockets have gotten a bit lazy and careless. The guards- Alston and McGrady are starting to jack up ridiculous shots and aren't finding Yao when he's posting up. The worse part is, their shots stopped going in, yet they're still taking ridiculous bank shots, fadeaways, and drives that really aren't getting them anyway (although it is nice seeing McGrady drive).
Holy ****. Leading by one 77-78 the play by play stopped responding for awhile when we were up 75-60. Next thing I knew it the score 71-75! C'mon, lets do this Rockets!
Probably a loss. Just when I was envisioning people saying "Rockets thump last 2 NBA champs in Miami and SA." sigh. :C
