<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (10-5)</font> vs <font color=""darkred"">Cavaliers(10-6)</font> Saturday, December 2, 2006 7:30 Central; FSNSW </div> [div=50%] <div align="center"><font color=""darkred""> <font size="1">(E. Snow, S. Brown, L. James, D. Gooden, Z. Ilgauskas)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: LeBron James - 27.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Drew Gooden - 9.4 RPG Assist Leader: LeBron James - 6.8 APG</font> [/div] <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, T. McGrady, S. Battier, C. Hayes, M. Yao)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Yao Ming - 25.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 10.1 RPG Assist Leader: Tracy McGrady - 6.7 APG</font> <font size=""4""><div align="center">Rockets.com Preview</div></font> McGrady, James set for marquee matchup HOUSTON -- Rockets star Tracy McGrady doesn't remember all the details about his matchups against Cleveland's LeBron James. He just knows one minor detail. "He's never beaten me (since I've been in Houston)," McGrady said. "Hopefully, we can keep that going." He'll try to add to the streak on Saturday night. Read more <font size=""4""><div align="center">Prediction</div></font> Cavs are only 3-4 on the road, while the the Rockets are 6-1 at home. Additionally, Cleveland played yesterday night in Atlanta, and the Rockets have had a few days off. Further, since Larry Hughes got injured against Portland on 11/15, the Cavs had lost 3 straight road games until winning yesterday in Atlanta. And let's not forget to mention that the Rockets have won every meeting against the Cavs with McGrady in the lineup, and he has consistently played stellar against them. He won't have to deal with Larry Hughes's defense tonight, while on the other end Battier will take the responsibility of containing LeBron. Take all that together, and there's no reason not to expect the Rockets to win this game. Expect McGrady to have a bounce back game as well. With LeBron in town and Kobe dropping 52 the other day, he has all the motivation in the world to deliver. Rockets by 8.
With homecourt advantage and facing the Cavs without Larry Hughes, the Rockets shouldn't lose this at all. Drew Gooden will need to be kept off of the offensive boards. I have faith in Hayes but he's gotta keep his fouls in check. Yao should have a good game tonight, and TMac should too with a rookie guarding him.
I'm worried about Drew gooden. He is an amazing rebounder. Novak should play this game because no one is there to gaurd him.
McGrady got knocked to the floor by Mutombo's elbow. He had a "minor" concussion -- he actually fainted on the bench. He's in the locker room and he's done for the game.
uh oh http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2684195 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets said McGrady suffered a Grade 1 concussion and was out for the rest of the game.</div> Anyone know how long that might keep him out?
Err, Mutombo needs to watch his scissor elbows. Of all the players on the court it had to be McGrady elbowed by him. I hope T-Mac can be back for Baron in 2 days. At least we are blowing Cleveland out in the 4th. They are sluggish after running with Atlanta last night.
Friggin Mutombo needs to watch his sharp elbows. They are sharper than a blade. Last year when we played Cavs, he hit Bron in his nose, and now this year right it was his own teammate. What a ***. Anyways, great win by Rockets without Tmac. Yao played monstrous.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">no!!! tmac is in my fantasy team</div> Tmac will be fine. If you go to rockets website it says that he is fine and will play against golden state barring any crazy damage that he hasnt yet felt.
