<div align="center"> VS Tuesday, December 12, 2006 Toyota Center Houston, Texas 0730 PM(CT), FSNSW <font color="blue">Los Angeles Lakers</font> <font color="blue">S.Parker(PG),K.Bryant(SG),L.Walton(SF),L.Odom(PF),K.Brown©</font></div> <font color="blue">Leading Scorer:</font> K.Bryant(26.4 PPG) <font color="blue">Leading Rebounder:</font> Lamar Odom(9.1 RPG) <font color="blue">Assist Leader:</font> L. Odom(5.1 APG) <div align="center"><font color="red">Houston Rockets</font> <font color="red">R.Alston(PG),L.Head(SG),S.Battier(SF),C.Hayes(PF),Y.Ming©</font></div> <font color="red">Leading Scorer:</font> Y.Ming(25.5 PPG) <font color="red">Leading Rebounder:</font> Y. Ming(9.5 RPG) <font color="red">Assist Leader:</font> T.McGrady(6.3 APG) <div align="center">Keys To THe Game</div> <font color="blue">Double Team Yao:</font> Although Phil Jackson does not usually employ double team on Yao, he may have the luxury this time because TMac is out. Defenses will gonna concentrate on the Rockets primary scorer. Shutting down Yao will be a big plus for the Lakers but keep the defense honest on the Rockets perimeter shooters as they can make you pay anytime. Employ the defense that the Suns and Timberwolves used against Yao. Like those those teams the Lakers have the athletic and long PF who can provide very good help defense to disrupt Yao's game. <font color="blue">Take Advantage of TMac's Abscence:</font> With TMac doubtful to play tonight the Rockets will gonna miss his scoring,passing, rebounding,defense and the double team he attracts. Kobe and Lamar are both good passers. The way they attract the defense they can pass the ball easily to the open man for easy points. Lamar should take advantage of his height and quickness against Hayes and Howard as Battier will have his hands full guarding Kobe. Walton may probably have smaller players guarding him. He may have an easier time shooting over them unless JVG choses to put Novak or Wells(hopefully he plays) against him. <font color="red">Yao Must Take Advantage of the Lakers Inexperienced Centers:</font> The Rockets know that Kwame and Bynum are not yet good defensively. If they can prevent the Lakers' help defense from swarming Yao, he may provide a big boost to the Rockets offense as he can score easily against them. <font color="red">Good Ball Movement:</font> Aside from Yao the rest must take confidence in themselves to fill up TMac shoes. Good ball movement will keep the Lakers guessing whose gonna score instead of just putting their concentration on defending Yao. Look for Novak to be given minutes at SF position to neutralize Walton's height advantage. <font color="red">Play Lockdown Defense:</font> This is the Rockets pride being number one on limiting opponents' points and FG%. Kobe will have his usual numbers but he might have to bleed for it like Lebron. If the Rockets can make Kobe play the one man game the game will be on their(Rockets) favor. Making the Lakers take tough shots disrupts their offense and confidence. Yao and Hayes must discipline themselves to minimize their fouls in order to stay long in the game. Prediction: This will be the first time this season that the Rockets will gonna play the whole game without TMac.They should keep their winning streak at home. The key for the Rockets to win is to have a good shooting night. The Lakers have an advantage tonight unless Bonzi,Novak and everyone else not named Yao steps up for the Rockets. It will be a close game for these 2 teams.
I'd be surprised if the Rockets can win this game. We only have one player who can even hope to guard Kobe. Yao needs to be great to give us a chance to win.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd be surprised if the Rockets can win this game. We only have one player who can even hope to guard Kobe. Yao needs to be great to give us a chance to win.</div> Same. Lakers have a lot of confidence after the win against Spurs.
^True, but they ain't leavin Texas without losing at least half of their games. I hope the Rockets can finally beat a good team. Cavs don't count since we beat them ; ) Edit: nice preview blueracer
So since Battier will be on Kobe, Head on Luke Walton? We have a mismatch there. Rafer needs to step up a little. I think battier will shut down Kobe, like he did against LeBron. Hayes needs to play his style, and hold Lamar good, and Yao has the advantage so he needs to carry us in this win. GO ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Umair Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So since Battier will be on Kobe, Head on Luke Walton? We have a mismatch there. Rafer needs to step up a little. I think battier will shut down Kobe, like he did against LeBron. Hayes needs to play his style, and hold Lamar good, and Yao has the advantage so he needs to carry us in this win. GO ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!</div> Battier has the strength and speed to shut down Lebron, but I don't think he has the speed to shut Kobe down. He can cool him down...that's it. Walton should look to score down low if Head is covering him as Head should look to take it in if Walton is holding him. hehe mouse in the house. Head might play some extra minutes to cover Kobe. Anyone think Spanoulis has the D to cover Kobe? Yao - 10 Hayes - 7 Battier - 4 (needs to pick it up) Bonzi - 8 Head/Alston - 4 ^really good rebounding team with some shooters Yao Hayes Battier Bonzi T-mac ^crazy good rebounding team
Battier is a great defender, but he can't stop or slow down Kobe. Lebron isn't Kobe. We better just hope Kobe has a bad game, that's the best we'll do to stop that guy. Yao has to step up, and I look for Bonzi to get some minutes. I'd luv to see Bonzi get 10-15pts tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd luv to see Bonzi get 10-15pts tonight.</div> That could be his first step in coming back and providing some wins for Rockets.
I want to see Yao foul out the Lakers C's and keep an eye out for any potential double teams. Head is 3 pt freak and we can sure use his long range abilities to outscore he Lakers. Rafer should assist head and yao and avoid forcing his shots. Hayes needs to stay out of foul trouble. Battier will have defensive duty and make Kobe struggle for each shot, Don't give Kobe the time of day.
The Lakers aren't going to double team Yao tonight, but they will send over blindside defenders to trap Yao and disrupt his rhythm. The key for the Lakers tonight is going to be pressuring the ball. The longer it takes for Alston to bring the ball up the court, the harder it's going to be for Yao to work inside. The Lakers did a number on the Spurs using on the ball pressure to neutralize Duncan in the post. Without TMac in the lineup, the Lakers have a huge size advantage against the Rockets. Chuck Hayes cannot handle Lamar Odom and if Houston send the double team over to help Hayes, Odom will just pass the ball to the open man. Yao better be ready to defend the rim tonight, because I expect the Lakers to have a lot of off the ball movement with players slashing to the rim for high percentage shots. JVG will have to go to Bonzi early on to give Houston a chance.
Juwan Howard is playing large on the offensive end for us in the second quarter. Keep it up Juwan, we're going to need it while Tracy is out.
WHY IS BONZI NOT PLAYIN??????????? JVG needs to be fired!! There posting our smaller guards, and Bonzi is sitting on the bench!!
^^ Agree. (That Bonzi needs to play) And Juwan is having another nice game. <div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> JVG will have to go to Bonzi early on to give Houston a chance.</div> Shows what you know.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">WHY IS BONZI NOT PLAYIN??????????? JVG needs to be fired!! There posting our smaller guards, and Bonzi is sitting on the bench!!</div> You got your wish. Bonzi is starting the second half.
