Game starts at 7:30 PM CT. No Rafer for this one. He's suspended today and tomorrow for his role in the "brawl" in Phoenix. I'm curious how McGrady plays this game. He got a cortisone shot before playing in Phoenix and that helped him. I'm not sure he's getting another one for this game. Does he still perform? The Rockets have a huge talent advantage in this game, even without Rafer and Barry (who'll probably miss the game with an injured finger). Expect big minutes for Brooks and Head. They need to put the Spurs down early, so the starters don't exhaust themselves before the Hornets game tomorrow.
I guess Head my get some game time Eventhough he is playing great, AB starting and playing extended minutes concerns me. The movement in the O got a little better against the Suns, but it was mainly TMac doing damage Ron needs to wake the fuck up He doesn't have any hard covers this game and I would hope he comes out of his funk
It's Tim Duncan vs. the Rockets.....we should be able to beat the Spurs, I mean they are so undermanned and have more problems than we do in finding points.
The starting 5 just doesn't look comfortable on the offensive end. We need to figure out a way to get Ron going. He's taking too many difficult shots in our offense.
The Spurs have nobody who can score when they take Duncan out of the game. There really is no excuse for the Rockets to lose this game. Another bad shot and air ball by Artest. He doesn't seem comfortable taking a simple catch-and-shoot jumper. Everything for him has to be off the dribble, but he isn't particularly efficient at shooting off the dribble either. He needs more post up opportunities at the basket.
Adelman had Head, Wafer, and Artest on the court at the same time. Pretty much zero ball-handling. That didn't work too well, and Adelman smartly replaced Head with Brooks after a few possessions. They need to do a better job of getting Yao the ball close to the basket.
At halftime, the Rockets only lead by 3. Another poor collective effort by our "Big Three". McGrady had a lazy turnover to end the second quarter, but fortunately the Spurs weren't able to capitalize and score. Yao's done a good job scoring in the interior off post ups and put backs. Landry has been very active on the offensive boards. I thought Chuck came in and gave another great defensive effort. Wafer hit a couple threes, but didn't do much else. The Rockets clearly miss Rafer. They only have one true PG left on the team, and Brooks has had difficulties containing penetration and contesting shots on the defensive end. We'll really miss Alston tomorrow against Chris Paul and the Hornets. But before we worry about that, let's take care of this game in the second half.
Rockets are holding a slim lead with a few minutes left to go. Ever since Chuck left the game in the 3rd with a tweaked ankle, I've seen all sorts of breakdowns in the defense. It's uncanny how solid our defense is with him, and how it can fall apart when he leaves. The Spurs are exploiting PnR with their PG on Aaron Brooks and Yao/Landry, and getting good scoring opportunities every time. I hate to look ahead, but if the Rockets are struggling guarding the PnR with George Hill, they're going to be destroyed tomorrow against Chris Paul.
Spurs lead by 1 after Duncan scores with just under a minute remaining. The Rockets half-court offense continues to suck. What an embarrassing performance in the 4th quarter.
All sorts of defensive breakdowns in that 4th quarter, and McGrady had yet another abysmal offensive game. They don't deserve to win this one.
Missed 3 by Artest at the buzzer. Rockets lose. I guess its time for another "veteran only" meeting, guys!
How the fuck do you lose to a SERIOUSLY undermanned Spurs team? I mean the Spurs have been great, but come on.
No Parker, No Ginobli, still no win. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH. The hardest team to be a fan of is the Houston Rockets.
Like I said, it's a curse being a Rockets fan. Every offseason we expect so much from a more than capable team and every time, we get this. Effortless. But then again, probably our fault too expecting so much. There's only sooo much that these guys can do. whatever.
