<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto Raptors</span> </span></span><span style="color:#c8362d">(16-14)</span> vs. <span style="color:#C5011E"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Houston Rockets</span></span></span> <span style="color:#C5011E">(14-15)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Saturday December 29th, 2007 @ 8:30PM EST Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX TV/Radio: The SCORE, FAN 590 </div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"> <span style="font-family:Impact"><u>GAME PREVIEW</u></span></div></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Even with Tracy McGrady in the lineup, the Houston Rockets have struggled offensively. They hope their first win without McGrady in more than a year can help turn around their frustrating season. The Rockets look to overcome the absence of their leading scorer for the second consecutive night when they host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. It's been a disappointing start for Houston (14-15), which hired coach Rick Adelman in the offseason to replace Jeff Van Gundy despite closing 2006-07 with its best regular-season finish in 10 years. Still struggling to adapt to Adelman's offense, the Rockets are averaging just 95.0 points and shooting 43.8 percent from the field as a team, ranking in the league's bottom 10 in both categories. ........................... Like the Rockets, Toronto (16-14) will be without one of its stars as T.J. Ford continues to recover from an awkward fall that forced him to be taken off the court on a stretcher in the fourth quarter of the Raptors' win on Dec. 11 at Atlanta. Ford, a Houston native, has a history of similar spills - a tendency that is especially concerning because he also suffers from a spinal cord condition that makes each fall particularly dangerous for the 24-year-old point guard. He reportedly is considering retirement. Jose Calderon has stepped up in Ford's absence, averaging 13.1 points and 9.7 assists in 16 starts. He had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Raptors snapped a three-game losing streak with an 83-73 win over San Antonio on Friday. While Calderon's play has been an asset, the team defense was responsible for the victory. "To hold that great a team to 73 points is pretty good defense," said Toronto forward Jason Kapono after the Raptors held the Spurs to their lowest point total of the season and handed them just their second home loss in 17 games this season. "To finish out such a quality team, it says a lot about this team and that's something we need to build on." The Raptors have won five of seven games against the Rockets since 2004-05, including their first meeting this season. Chris Bosh, Toronto's leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 20.0 points and 9.2 rebounds, had 21 and 10 in the Raptors' 93-80 home victory over the Rockets on Dec. 9.</div> <div align="center">Source: Yahoo!Sports</div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>STARTING LINEUPS</u></span></div></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani</span> <span style="color:#C5011E">Rafer Alston - Bonzi Wells - Shane Battier - Chuck Hayes - Yao Ming</span></div> <span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><u>KEY MATCHUP</u></div></span></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#c8362d">Andrea Bargnani</span> vs. <span style="color:#C5011E">Yao Ming</span></div> I picked this same matchup for the Spurs game, but I'm keying in on it this time for a different reason. Bargnani did an admirable job defending Tim Duncan last night and, while his shot still doesn't seem to be falling, he impacted the game in other ways. The Raptors will need him to do the same tonight against Yao. With McGrady out, this matchup becomes much simpler: If Toronto can pressure Yao and make his job more difficult, they'll probably win. Bargnani will need to use his length and athleticism once more, without getting into foul trouble. And if he can get his offensive game on track, that's just an added bonus. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>PREDICTION</u></span></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="color:#c8362d">Toronto 101</span> - <span style="color:#C5011E">Houston 94</div></span>
<div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>Something to look at while you wait for the game....</u></span></span></div> <div align="center"></div>
Lmao, way to be Chutney. I was waiting to post after you out up your chick. This is a game the Raptors should win. After taking it to the Spurs on the defensive end, and showing they can play at a high level a game like this should be easier. Without T-Mac there, Moon's job should be a bit easier too. I really want him to go off and score 15 points, are more then 4 at least. Last 5 or so games he hasn't be scoring and I know that's because he has been shooting to many jumpers. He needs to drive to the rim and get to the line. Bosh should be dominate this game. I see him around 30 points, 12 rebound and a few blocked shots. Bargnani should have a good game too. I loved the bench production from last night, lets hope the starters can build off that and have the bench come in again and do the same thing.
I agree. I'd be disappointed if we didn't win this game. The Rockets are struggling and, historically, have been pretty easy to beat without McGrady. Either Bosh or Bargnani (hopefully both) should have a big game. And I think Calderon will have favourable matchups all night long.
lol what the hell chutney, you ruined my day. I expect Bosh to have a monster game due to the rest he got from yesterdays game.
Well, that was a bad lose. We really should of won this game. Rafer and the 3 point shooters for the Rockets killed us.
I'm not gonna lie. I missed most of this game because of the Giants-Pats game (tough sports night for me). But once again, I have to question why we double team so hard. I don't think I've seen any other NBA team do the same and it makes no sense to me. That was a game we should've had.
