<div align="center">). </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chuck_hayes.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Chuck Hayes</font> Coming off a pretty nasty looking injury, Chuck has picked up where he left off. His tips and offensive rebounds are invaluable to this team, especially when we have an incompetent fool for a back up power forward. He lines up against the exciting Hakim Warrick, who is prone to having an off night from time to time. Chuck will have to play with the same intensity and effort as he normally does, and we'll be fine. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Yao Ming</font> Yao probably won't have forgotten that nasty facial Stromile Swift gave him way back when. But he's a changed man. Back then, he was still trying to find his stride in this league. Now, he leaves foot prints wherever he walks. This man is a beast, and that's all that can really be said. If Memphis wants to keep Yao under 50, they better hammer him with Brian Cardinal and Jake Tsakalidis, and hope he has an off-night. Yao just has to continue his strong start to the season, and we'll be closing in on the top spot in our division. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="blue"> <font size="1">(C. Atkins, M. Miller, R. Gay, H. Warrick, S. Swift)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Chucky Atkins - 15.3 PPG Leading Rebounder: M. Miller/H. Warrick - 6.3 RPG Assist Man: Damon Stoudamire - 3.8 APG The 'X' Factor: Hakim Warrick (14.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.3 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chucky_atkins.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Chucky Atkins</font> Chucky has found a situation in Memphis that suits him. He is one of the big options on offense, and he is allowed to run the show without any superstar objections (a la Kobe). He should look for his shot tonight, against Rafer Alston, before the Span Man comes in, because then, it'll be tough. On defense, he might be doubling T-Mac or just playing man-to-man, but his age may hurt him, against three guards who can really get in the lane (Head, Spanoulis, Rafer). </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_miller.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Mike Miller</font> Mike Miller has proven himself to be a solid, solid player. Him and his best friend, Tracy McGrady, had parted ways from a dismal Magic squad and have now found themselves to be opponents in the same division. If there was one player I'd like to have on the Rockets right now, it would be him. Why? Flat out shooting. He may not have the stats to back it up, but this kid can let fly and let fly often. It may be tricky tonight, as he'll be against Shane Battier. Though he may have a breather on defense, on offense, he'll need to work to lift the Grizzlies, and he'll need more than his average of 15 points. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rudy_gay.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Rudy Gay</font> The "Win NOW" attitude halted Rudy Gay's stay as a Rocket. Traded to Memphis with Stromile Swift for Shane Battier proved to be a stroke of genius for both teams. The Rockets got a fantastic player who is only helping, and the Grizzlies got a young talent/possible star, and a rotational player still full of potential. Tonight will be his chance to prove himself to the Grizzlies faithful, taking on T-Mac. Fratello may or may not put Mike Miller on McGrady, but if he's not, either Warrick or Gay will find themselves covering our superstar. Gay must use his athletic ability and size to stifle T-Mac, and hope he's just not feelin' it.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/hakim_warrick.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Hakm Warrick</font> Most of this game, Hakim Warrick will look to exploit Chuck Hayes' size both on offense and defense. On offense it will be hard, as Chuck normally makes up for that size. On top of that, Warrick may find himself on Yao Ming, either doubling or a mismatch. Though he does a good job of spreading the floor, against Yao this will have little affect. Fratello better have a game plan for his bigs tonight, or it'll be one long, long, night.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stromile_swift.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">Stromile Swift</font> The former Rocket has looked somewhat lost in a few Grizzlies games, but will be looking to pick it up here. Offensively, he'll never be the focal point, but he can get more than a few opportunities to put one in on Yao. On defense, he'll have his hands full, and in order for the Grizzlies to win this game, he has to hope Yao stays under 25, and keep Yao in foul trouble. But with this new beast called Ming, foul trouble isn't really an issue. </font> <div align="center"></div> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font> Rockets <ul>[*]<font color="red">Yao </font> - Stay outta foul trouble, and just do what you've done this whole season, Yao. It is imperative the Rockets get Yao involved early and often, as Pau Gasol is out of this game, and he is one of the few players in this league that can pose a challenge to Yao. Keep milkin' the big fella until it's T-Mac time, and we're through with this game.[*]<font color="red">Play our offense</font> - There are stretches in games where the Rockets fold towards the other teams tempo. Best example: the Spurs meltdown, we folded and let the Spurs dictate how the game went. The Rockets do a fantastic job of setting the tone early, but they must hold this tone for the entire game. Use what works, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Van Gundy will have told his players this, and if we control tempo, we win the game.[*]<font color="red">Defense, please. In the fourth, preferably.</font> - The past few games we've done a dismal job of finishing. Tonight's the night that changes. We got lucky against an under-performing Wizard's squad, but this Memphis team, under Mike Fratello, does not give up. They will find a way to keep themselves in this game. They are young, they can go long stretches of games without scoring but can still stay in the game. The Rockets need to use their stifling defense, easily in the top 5 of the league, to hold the Grizzles o a small number of points in the fourth. Let's not blow any huge leads anymore, please.[/list] Grizzlies <ul>[*]<font color="blue">Get everyone involved.</font> - Not one of Memphis' players can afford to have a poor game. If that's the case, the Rockets will run away with it. To ensure this doesn't happen, the Grizzlies must pass the rock around and keep the Rockets on their heels. Big nights from Stromile Swift and Hakim Warrick can propel the Grizzlies to a "W." [*]<font color="blue">Stop Yao</font> - As if this wasn't obvious, the Grizzlies need to play their best defense on Yao. Keep him under 25, the game could be close, keep him under 20, they'll probably win. Simple as that. The best defense against Yao is to get him in foul trouble. When he's on the court, he can't be stopped, so keep him OFF the court. [*]<font color="blue">Stop T-Mac</font> - Holding Yao to 20 is one thing, but letting T-Mac go over 20 could spell danger for the Grizzlies. Though, I never though Tracy McGrady hitting 25 points in a game would equate to a win, it just might here. Limit his ability to shoot, and you limit his game, simple as that. [/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> The Rockets are close in the race for the number 1 spot in the Southwest Division. We're not Utah good yet (who woulda thunk Utah?!), but we're getting there, slowly but surely. A win here would lament a good division record, bar the Spur mishap. I expect the Rockets to come out with guns blazing, and hopefully, another incredible performance by our favorite Greek Guy, Vassilis Spanoulis. Rockets 101 Grizzlies 84 <font size="1">*All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks.</font>
Chuck Hayes might have problems with Hakim Warrick's length and explosiveness, but I doubt that Howard would fare any better. I think the Rockets should try to force the ball out of Warrick's hands by double-teaming and get it to Gay, who's shooting a terrible percentage. Stromile Swift is going to suck, like always. Yao should look to exploit him.
Yao should give Swift a nasty sportscenter dunk. I ran this game in NBA Live 07 and the Rockets lost 104-99 in double overtime. T-Mac hit the 3 to send it to overtime. I doubt this game will turn our that way because Live still thinks Memphis is a playoff team even with Gasol on the bench. Today I want to see Novak, Wells, and V-Span...never gonna happen.
I think Juwan is a pretty decent back up PF. He's been rebounding unlike any of us expected him to. Go Rockets! I have feeling Gay is gonna try and prove the Rockets wrong for trading him by trying to score and he'll end up shooting about 28%.
LMAO Mutumbo with a jumpshot. lol this guy isnt old hes just reached his prime. Memphis better D up or he'll drain a 3 next.
Rocket W. . Nothing spectacular but we won comfortably. Everyone played well around their averages, highlight of the game: Rudy Gay flying in for a block on Spanoulis' 3. Oh snap that was nasty. He came outta nowhere. Too bad for Span, he didn't see much of the ball after that. But he played some fantastic defense.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Today I want to see Novak, Wells, and V-Span...never gonna happen.</div> you almost got the trifecta. Novak and Vspan played.
Damn, TMac with 13 assists. Another interesting thing is that only three players on the Rockets had assists at all, yet the team managed to total 23. Yao, from his stats, seemed pretty dominating. Good win.
Phew..Just got back from Mississippi. I was listening to the Rockets game as soon as we entered Houston, and we were playing pretty good. I love it when Tmac dishes when he is off which is really helpful. Good win by Rockets.
<div class="quote_poster">TmacGarnett Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">you almost got the trifecta. Novak and Vspan played.</div> Good win. 9-4, damn SA had to beat us. What are we 3rd? Dallas is 8-4...when did that happen? Did Juwan Howard get injured?
<div class="quote_poster">Eduardo Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I believe he did. Damnit. Last year our stars were injured. Now we're losing our role players </div> Well on the plus side, Novak might have a chance to show JVG what he can do.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Good win. 9-4, damn SA had to beat us. What are we 3rd? Dallas is 8-4...when did that happen? Did Juwan Howard get injured?</div> Damn Dallas went on a 8 game winning streak after starting out 0-4. That's life in the Southwest man, no matter how good the Rockets play, they'll still be third... At least Memphis is sucking it up this year.
Man before this season I never realized how good of a passer that tmac is.....notes from the game 1. Juwan Howard is washed up....he missed 4 or 5 open jump shots....play Novak JVG!!! 2. Bonzi was M.I.A again, I'm starting to agree with durvasa saying we won't see him this year 3. Stromile Swift still sucks.....just in case you were wondering 4. We made the right choice by trading Gay, I have a feeling he'll never be as good as Battier....his shooting touch is not good at all, and it doesn't seem like he has the blow by quickness to get by his defender. 5. the power dancers looked good last night.....just in case you were wondering.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Damn Dallas went on a 8 game winning streak after starting out 0-4. That's life in the Southwest man, no matter how good the Rockets play, they'll still be third... At least Memphis is sucking it up this year.</div> My goal for the Rockets is to have a better season record than SA, or DAL preferably Dallas. Then there's still NOK to worry about. It seems like we will never get homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
I have a feeling we'll end up with a better record than the nookie, but we're going to have to keep playing really good if we want to win more than SA or Dallas.
