Rockets again getting off to a sluggish start. They just don't look good on offense. Rafer has been more horrid than usual shooting the ball, and T-Mac is still laboring.
Rafer is basically useless running the pick and roll. He doesn't shoot it well, and he can't create well off the dribble either. I'd like see Barry run that pick-and-roll instead.
The Rockets are playing small with Brooks, Landry, and Hayes on the floor to start the second. Let's see how they do on the defensive glass.
Good defensive energy with this group (Brooks, Barry, Artest, Landry, Hayes). Landry looks to be having his best game of the young season. I'd like to see Brooks become more assertive with his penetration.
Yep, Brooks is starting to make it happen. If only Rafer gave us that penetration ability in the starting lineup. It makes a big difference in the offense, especially when we're having a tough time getting post ups inside with Yao.
Tracy comes in for Barry, and Durant comes in for the Thunder, and all of a sudden that 10 point lead drops to 4. McGrady is not having a good game. Low energy on both ends. Chuck's doing a nice job with his defense on the floor, but he's giving up a lot of size to Petro. Defensive rebounding at the center position is tough for him. Yao's about to come in.
Ugly performance by the starters in that first half. Rockets up by only 1. Rafer's lack of offense is really killing the team. Neither he or Tracy can buy a jump shot, leaving Artest as the only real threat from the perimeter. I think they need to get Yao more involved on post ups. He should be able to have his way with this team. Like the Dallas game, I think we're going to need our reserves to come in and win this game for us. I just don't like the way Rafer and Tracy are playing right now. Tracy, to his credit, has been able to draw fouls at the basket and hit his free throws, like last game. I don't know if he can/will sustain that aggression throughout the game, though.
About 6 minutes into the third, the Rockets are now leading by 5. Rafer and Artest both made a three-pointer, Tracy converted on a couple drives. They're still having a tough time getting Yao the ball in good position.
It's kind of impressive that, as poorly as we're playing on offense, we're still up 7 late in the 3rd quarter. McGrady still can't buy a jump shot, but he's made some plays in the third with his pass and going to the basket. Yao finally got a score in the paint after flashing to the paint. Scola has had a good quarter -- just forced a travel defending Joe Smith.
