<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (29-17)</font> vs <font color="green">Wolves (22-25)</font> Monday, February 5, 2007, Toyota Center, Houston 7:30 Central; FSNSW, SportsRadio 610 AM </div> [div=50%] <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, T. McGrady, S. Battier, J. Howard, D. Mutombo)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Tracy McGrady - 23.6 PPG Leading Rebounder: Dikembe Mutombo - 6.8 RPG Assists Leader: Tracy McGrady - 6.3 APG </font></div> [/div] <div align="center"><font color="green"> <font size="1">(M. James, R. Davis, T. Hassell, K. Garnett, M. Blount)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kevin Garnett - 22.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Kevin Garnett - 12.4 RPG Assists Leader: Ricky Davis - 4.5 APG </font> </div> [div=50%] <div align="center"> <font size=""1""><font color="red">Luther Head (6th Man)</font></font></div> <font size="1"><div align="center">29.0 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG</div></font> [/div] <div align="center"> <font size=""1""><font color="green">Randy Foye (6th Man)</font></font> <font size="1">20.8 MPG, 8.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.4 APG</font> Predictions: <font color=""Red"">Rockets 91</font>, Wolves 87</div> Keys To The Game: <font color=""Red"">Rockets:</font> T-Mac is coming off a bad game against the Hornets as well as the Rockets. The Rockets were out of sorts without their PG Rafer Alston so now that he is back we need to get back to our scoring groove. The Wolves played on Saturday in a loss to the Mavericks so they will come in the Toyota Center seeking for a win and the previous 2 meetings, the Rockets have lost. Fortunately we have won one against them early in the season at home so now lets even the series at 2-2. But also Hassell has been giving T-Mac problems so that might cause some problems on the offensive end. Rockets have another game to dominate and basically close it out. Dont let the Wolves back in the game. Mutumbo more BLOCKS!!! Dont give the lead on runs and transition D is a key. Also, don't give up the lead close the end of the 4th quarter. Contain Mike James and Ricky Davis' mid-range jumpshot and the Rockets should be good. Of course, it will be hard to contain KG but we can do our best because he is coming off an OK game also. And, Luther has been in a slump since Yao has been out of the lineup so it will be key if him and Bonzi can provide points off the bench because practically every team outscores the Rockets off the bench. <font color=""Red"">Luther Head hit some 3's!! </font> <font color=""Green"">Wolves:</font> Keep Tmac from scoring more than 30. They have to exploit the matchup of KG and Howard because he can just shoot right over him. They are coming off a terrible 1-point loss so they need to recover and focus. The bench needs to produce and Foye needs to give them energy with points. James is also a key player because he has been struggling the whole season and he needs to hit some shots for them. Transition offense is a key because its hard to make shots against the rockets in the half court offense except for KG. The offense needs to go through James and Davis. Davis needs to give them some energy and Blount can also exploit the matchup against Deke because he will come out to guard him. Not much else to say but good luck trying to beat the rockets. Cover luther head on 3's! This game is another must win game for the Rockets. These chippy games are what can get us above Phoenix and Dallas recordwise. After coming of tough loss against the Hornets, these games help our home record so the Rockets need to win these. Also, the Wolves beat us the last 2 meetings so it would be good if the Rockets could even up the series at 2-2 and just get finished with this team. This should be a great matchup for Rafer again because Mike James is good. We can see how good Rafer is on defense now. All the Rockets need to do is pickup their defense and not play Lazy then they will be fine. They also need to score the ball because without scoring you cannot win a game and it showed against the Hornets. Hope for a great game at Toyota Center and may the best team win.
Minnesota's quickness gives us problems. Hopefully we'll get to see Snyder come in and give us some energy. I don't quite know why he hasn't played, but JVG needs to wise up and play the guy. It ain't like he wasn't playin well before he got hurt.
i think its because he was sick with the flu for like 2 weeks and then after that I dont know.. Maybe not being in shape..
<div class="quote_poster">tracymcgrady_01 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">i think its because he was sick with the flu for like 2 weeks and then after that I dont know.. Maybe not being in shape..</div> I doubt it's him not bein in shape. He's the most athletic player on the team, shouldn't he atleast bein gettin some playin time? I think Snyder can actually help the team down the stretch. Shouldn't JVG loosen up his rotation?
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt it's him not bein in shape. He's the most athletic player on the team, shouldn't he atleast bein gettin some playin time? I think Snyder can actually help the team down the stretch. Shouldn't JVG loosen up his rotation?</div> The problem is, we don't know what the situation is with Snyder. Its not whether or not he will help down the stretch. Its whether or not he is in the condition to. I suspect there still may be a few problems, otherwise he would be on the active roster in front of Padgett, Vspan, and Novak (and no...I don't think Van Gundy has a problem with Snyder).
<div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The problem is, we don't know what the situation is with Snyder. Its not whether or not he will help down the stretch. Its whether or not he is in the condition to. I suspect there still may be a few problems, otherwise he would be on the active roster in front of Padgett, Vspan, and Novak (and no...I don't think Van Gundy has a problem with Snyder).</div> If there is a problem, lthey should let us know. I think Snyder can be a key contributor to this team.
I think we are trying to trade him...simple as that. Morey said to expect a trade. JVG said we are trying to even out the backcourt and frontcourt. I thought it would be Bonzi or Snyder, and thus far it looks like Snyder will be the one to go. I think we should hang on to him, but if we do get someone that can contribute just as much, if not, more than I will be happy. I doubt it though.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think we are trying to trade him...simple as that. Morey said to expect a trade. JVG said we are trying to even out the backcourt and frontcourt. I thought it would be Bonzi or Snyder, and thus far it looks like Snyder will be the one to go.</div>Man....I promise if they trade Snyder and get another old washed up "JVG type player" I'm goin on strike However, I do think we need some athleticism at PF. The more & more I watch the Rockets, the more I realize Hayes isn't getting the job done. Do ya'll agree? With that said.......GREAT PREVIEW!! You guys have been doin an excellent job.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If there is a problem, lthey should let us know. I think Snyder can be a key contributor to this team.</div> If there were any problems going on in the locker room, I'd rather they stay there so the media doesn't turn it into a war.
OMG ANOTHER INJURY! Bonzi went down hard while try to take off for a dunk(i think) on a cut... He was limping off the court and taken to the locker room. Hopefully its nothing serious. He was doing a good job too...
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^damnit. I left the room for 1 min and this happens. Was it his leg? knee?</div> It seems to be his leg/thigh area, im not sure, but he was limping.
its only a bruise and he wanted to come back so thats a good sign... hopefully it doesnt get sore tommorow against the grizz..
Great Win!! Howard had another phenemonal preformance. The old guy still gettin it done Tmac was all over the place lol. Hopefully Bonzi will play tommorrow.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Minnesota's quickness gives us problems. Hopefully we'll get to see Snyder come in and give us some energy. I don't quite know why he hasn't played, but JVG needs to wise up and play the guy. It ain't like he wasn't playin well before he got hurt.</div> Your wish will probably come true. Bonzi is out with back pain and there's a greater chance he won't make it tomorrow against the Grizzlies. That gives Snyder a nod to play and show his wares. Hopefully he plays well because we need a deeper bench to spell out some players having a bad night.
