<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (37-24)</font> vs <font color="blue">Nets (28-33)</font> Friday, March 9, 2007, Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:30 Central; FSNSW, SportsRadio 610 AM <font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, T. McGrady, S. Battier, J. Howard, Y. Ming)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Yao Ming - 25.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 9.3 RPG Assists Leader: Tracy McGrady - 6.1 APG </font> <font color="blue"> <font size="1">(J. Kidd, V. Carter, H. Adams, M. Moore, J. Collins)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Vince Carter - 25.2 PPG Leading Rebounder: Jason Kidd - 8.1 RPG Assists Leader: Jason Kidd - 9.0 APG </font> <font size=""1""><font color="red">Luther Head (6th Man)</font></font> <font size="1"><div align="center">27.9 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.5 APG</div></font><font size=""1""><font color="blue">Bostjan Nachbar (6th Man)</font></font> <font size="1">19.0 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.8 APG</font> Predictions: <font color=""Red"">Rockets 91</font>, Nets 80</div> Keys To The Game: <font color=""Red"">Rockets:</font> T-Mac had a great game after the great win against the Celtics. Yao did not get many points because of foul trouble in the last game but his return has significantly helped the rockets, especially at the 3-Point line. The Rockets had a great offense after blowing a few games before because of offense and the Rockets need to continue that. Yao had a dislocated finger but he will be alright and Mutombo is also expected to play despite the bruised knee so the Rockets will be full healthy with expection of Bonzi Wells. Bonzi may also play in this game so it will be good for the Rockets. The Rockets really need a winning streak of at least 10 games starting now to get the 3rd seed in the West. T-Mac needs to continue the offense but also now the Rockets need to start using Yao on offense alot because the Rockets will need it for the playoffs. The Rockets defense needs to continue and they need to lower the opp ppg. We have to contain Vince Carter because he is a great scorer. Juwan Howard had been in a slump until the last game and now we need him, chuck, and deke to do well on the dirty work. The Rockets need to rebound, score, and defend. These March games need to stay positive with wins so we really need this for the hunt of the 3rd/4th seed. <font color=""Red"">Luther Head hit some 3's!! </font> <font color=""blue"">Nets:</font> Keep Tmac from scoring more than 30. The Nets need to keep their scoring efficiently because the Rockets are a great defensive team. The Nets are good with Carter and Kidd so they need to use them for the offense alot. Boki Nachbar is returning to Houston so he can provide alot off the bench but Eddie House needs to help score. The bench needs to produce and Moore needs to give them energy with everything. Robinson is also a key player because he has been great and Collins can also provide great interior offense/defense. The offense needs to go through Kidd and Carter. The penetration of Kidd can help alot to get open shots so they need to continue with Kidd scoring and passing. Cover luther head on 3's! <font color=""Black"">Bottom Line:</font> This game needs to be won by the Rockets. The Rockets need a streak because every good team has been on a streak lately and they need to prove that they are good and also to clinch the playoff berth. The Rockets won the game earlier in the season so they need to do the same because it looks like the Nets will not have Jefferson. Yao suffered a minor injury and Dikembe had a bruised knee but they are both expected to play. The Rockets mainly need to score because you cannot win a game if you do not score. All the Rockets need to do is pickup their offense and defense and not play Lazy then they should win. If the Rockets can close the game out well they will come away with the victory. Hope for a great game at the Toyota Center and may the best team win.
Nice preview. The Nets have traditionally guarded Yao well but they don't really have any big men inside to get our big men into foul trouble unless Vince Carter gets a free lane and goes inside. Other than that, Howard might have a hard time guarding the quicker Mikki Moore but that shouldn't be much of a problem. TMac will come to this game strong. No reason why the Rockets won't win.
Great D by the Rox so far, not so great on the offensive end (aside from Yao). Yao is killing Moore. Hope it continues. Yao is back. Edit: Rox heating up now.
Richard Jefferson's 1st game back. We have the best luck when it comes to our schedule. Rafer for threeeeeee
Wheres Synder? Rafer just got bumped by an illegal screen by Boone and now is talking to the nets bench. No tech tho.
^ Snyder was kept on the inactive list because of a disagreement he had with JVG during practice over him not working hard. JVG said that how he practices tomorrow will determine his status in the next game. Another great effort by the Rockets. Some hilarious moments in that third quarter when the Nets were going to Hack-A-Chuck.
Nice Preview! At last we won at home again. We should have been 20 games over .500 if not for those previous home losses. Good to see Yao back in form and TMac in his dominating self rather than deferring.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^ Snyder was kept on the inactive list because of a disagreement he had with JVG during practice over him not working hard. JVG said that how he practices tomorrow will determine his status in the next game.</div> I find it quite odd that our most athletic players don't get along with JVG. Snyder works harder than anybody on the team. Maybe him and Bonzi are too talented to be effective in a JVG system
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I find it quite odd that our most athletic players don't get along with JVG. Snyder works harder than anybody on the team. Maybe him and Bonzi are too talented to be effective in a JVG system</div> Snyder and Bonzi both have had issues with past coaches before coming here. I don't it's their athleticism that's doing them in.
I just want to see Snyder get some minutes. I think he would be more helpful in the playoffs over players like J-Sak (especially against Utah and the quicker teams.) Yet Gundy says he just wants an 8-8.5 man rotation?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Snyder was kept on the inactive list because of a disagreement he had with JVG during practice over him not working hard. JVG said that how he practices tomorrow will determine his status in the next game. </div> I think lack of playing time was the real reason for the disagreement...
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Snyder and Bonzi both have had issues with past coaches before coming here. I don't it's their athleticism that's doing them in.</div> So did Tmac & Skip. JVG said it had something to with Snyder's effort, but he plays harder than anybody on the squad This is classic JVG blaming players because he doesn't have the offensive IQ to implement a more uptempo offense. Leaving Bonzi and Snyder out to dry. He's more comfortable with Luther jackin up 3's than Snyder finishing on the fast break. The problem is we're gonna NEED Bonzi and Snyder's athelticism against Dallas & Phoenix. Without them we're strictly a jump shooting team <div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I just want to see Snyder get some minutes. I think he would be more helpful in the playoffs over players like J-Sak (especially against Utah and the quicker teams.) </div> This is my point. Does JVG think we really don't need Snyder or Bonzi? If so, he's not very smart.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This is classic JVG blaming players because he doesn't have the offensive IQ to implement a more uptempo offense. Leaving Bonzi and Snyder out to dry. He's more comfortable with Luther jackin up 3's than Snyder finishing on the fast break. The problem is we're gonna NEED Bonzi and Snyder's athelticism against Dallas & Phoenix. Without them we're strictly a jump shooting team </div> THRUTH!!! The fact tha JVG is so inconsistent with players minutes is plain and simply stupid!!He want's players to fit into his system of ALL defense and lets let Tracy create for us. Where as we should use everyone at our disposal to win. When will he understand that teams like Phoenix and Dallas are almost impossible to shut down!! We have to put the ball in the hole, we don't get easy baskets NO ONE goes to the rim(Except T-Mac sometimes) And offensivelly we are very,very inept. These little 2,3,4 minute stretches were we can't score ain't gonna fly in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Blurr#7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">THRUTH!!! The fact tha JVG is so inconsistent with players minutes is plain and simply stupid!!He want's players to fit into his system of ALL defense and lets let Tracy create for us. Where as we should use everyone at our disposal to win. When will he understand that teams like Phoenix and Dallas are almost impossible to shut down!! We have to put the ball in the hole, we don't get easy baskets NO ONE goes to the rim(Except T-Mac sometimes) And offensivelly we are very,very inept. These little 2,3,4 minute stretches were we can't score ain't gonna fly in the playoffs.</div> Yes, I agree. Our defense is more successful with teams who play thru one superstar. But we struggle against teams like Dallas who play strictly thru ball movememt. Meaning we have to score to beat these teams. JVG thinks we can beat teams like Phoenix & Dallas by shuttin them down. Great strategy
