<div align="center"><font color="red">Hawks (9-18)</font> at <font color="red">Rockets (17-12)</font> Friday, December 29th, 2006 Toyota Center, Houston 7:30 CT; NBALP </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(Speedy Claxton, Joe Johnson Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, Shelden Williams)</font></font></div> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady Shane Battier, Dikembe Mutombo, Juwan Howard) </font></font></div> <font size="3">Game Analysis</font> The Hawks, after starting the season off on a high, have come back down to earth, partly due to injuries, and partly due to their youth. Josh Childress was out for an extended period, and now the Hawks' top small forward, the do-everything Josh Smith, is out, as is Tyronn Lue, the backup point guard whose play off the bench energized the team. Against a Rockets that is also losing some key parts, the Hawks might have a chance. However, Atlanta has lost five straight and Houston are back home after a confidence-boosting win over the New Jersey Nets on the road. Tracy McGrady has not been shooting the ball well since his return from back spasms, but he's still a gamewinner and as long as he's still on the court, the Rockets will always be in a ball game. The Rockets will need to look to initiate the offense through TMac. Rafer Alston will have to keep up with Speedy Claxton, while Shane Battier's defence will come in handy against Joe Johnson who averages 27 points a game. If Juwan Howard can keep rookie Shelden Williams off the offensive boards, the Rockets should take this game easily. Rockets: W, Hawks: L
Lets just hope Joe Johnson doesn't go off. Man Battier deserves a lot of credit holding good 2's and 3's almost every night.
The supporting cast is playing pretty well. Hopefully we can keep this up until Yao returns and we can go on those good ol 8-game winning streaks we used to have. Yao is going to have a check up soon to re-evaluate his knee. Lets hope the timetable for his return will be shorter than the estimated 6 weeks *crosses fingers*
T-mac only played 27 mins. Is it because Atlanta was already down big time or did something happen to him again? :0
<div class="quote_poster">Eduardo Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">T-mac only played 27 mins. Is it because Atlanta was already down big time or did something happen to him again? :0</div> He hurt his hand (some player chopped down on it), but I don't think it's serious. He left early in the 3rd quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He hurt his hand (some player chopped down on it), but I don't think it's serious. He left early in the 3rd quarter.</div> Not serious enough so that he'll play in the next game right? whew. Its un-T-mac though to have only 1 rebound and 1 assist.
Bonzi was out becuase of a sore back. Hopefully he will be back for the next game. The Rockets looked good today. Everyone played well.
If Juwan and Deke plays with the same energy every night it would be a big lift for the Rockets while waiting for Yao to comeback. All they need is just consistent and balance offense for everyone as well as limiting those lousy turnovers to stay in contention. Great game by TMac it would have been better if he made those FTs. I hope he continues to build in confidence now that he has found the right treatment for his back. Looks like the Rockets didn't care about making FTs tonight. JVG should have played Novak,Billy and Padgett most of the 4th when the Hawks have already benched Joe Johnson,Claxton and Pachulia. Would have been nice to see them score with intensity.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Juwan Howard with another double-double. That jump hook looks pretty good to me</div> Yeah, Juwan Howard has really stepped up in Yao's absence. I've said it before and I'll say it again J-Ho deserves a lot of credit and let's hope he can continue his play. Right now in my opinion, since J-Ho is stepping up, he definitely is doing better than Hayes.
I'm not buying the "back injury" for Bonzi, I hope him and JVG didn't have another fallout....as far as the game goes.....the hawks suck....that's all.
Another win that keeps us from falling out of contention while yao is gone. We are 2-1 without Yao. Hopefully it continues and we find out how deep this team can be.
I hope TMac has regain his dominant self this time coz we need it badly. The next 2 home games(vs Grizzlies and Sonics) are winnable and probably the next one against the Jazz. I just hope we could do something to stop Boozer and Deron Williams.
