There's already a preview for this in the Gameday section. Im making this topic so you can discuss the game here. I'll make a preview for next game. I will also be pinning preview/discussion game threads for the day they're playing.Records: Houston (4-2), Miami (3-2) When: Sunday, 7 p.m. Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami TV/Radio: FSN Houston, ESPN, SportsRadio 610 AMInjury Update: G Bob Sura (knee) is out for the Rockets; G Jason Williams (knee) is out for the Heat. <span style="color:#FF0000"><u>Houston Rockets</u></span><span style="color:#FF0000">PG: Rafer AlstonSG: Tracy McGradySF: Shane BattierPF: Chuck HayesC: Yao Ming</span><span style="color:#CC0000"><u>Miami Heat</u></span><span style="color:#CC0000">PG: Gary PaytonSG: Dwyane WadeSF: Antoine WalkerPF: Udonis HaslemC: Shaquille O'Neal</span>LETS GOOOO <span style="color:#FF0000"><u>ROCKETS</span></u>!
www.rockets.com preview<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>HOUSTON -- Despite completing one of the finest performances of his NBA career, Rockets center Yao Ming went to the weight room immediately after Friday night's win over New York for some extra lifting."I've got another big guy coming on Sunday," Yao explained.Does he have to tell you who?The Rockets' big man in the flat top, who is off to the best start of his NBA career, will have his latest showdown against Shaquille O'Neal when the defending champion Miami Heat host the Rockets on Sunday night at American Airlines Arena.The latest battle of the giants is one of the most intriguing in the five-year series since Yao is suddenly playing at such a high level.The Rockets' 7-foot-6 center leads all NBA centers in scoring with 26.2 points per game through the first six games and his own teammates, most notably Tracy McGrady, have started describing him as "the best center in the NBA."O'Neal, however, has owned that title for over a decade. While injuries have slowed him down, Shaq was still dominating enough last season to help the Heat win an championship. Could this matchup be the beginning of Yao becoming the league's best big man or more proof that the crown still belongs to O'Neal? "I don't think Yao needs to worry about all the hype," McGrady said. "He just needs to go out there and play his game. Just do what he's been doing. He doesn't need to play outside of his game or worry about what Shaq has done against him. Just play his game."The two big men have squared off 13 times since 2002, but didn't face each other last season because each center missed one of the matchups between the Rockets and Heat with an injury.O'Neal has gotten the better of Yao in those previous showdowns, averaging 21.6 points and 9.9 rebounds to Yao's 16.2 points and 8.5 rebounds.Yao, however, has developed his game since their last meeting.The Rockets' center has been overwhelming opposing big men with his face-up jumper and has added an unblockable hook shot. Rockets reserve center Dikembe Mutombo believes Yao is reaching his prime."He's playing a lot better this year than he did last year," Mutombo said. "He's such a hard worker. He's working out two hours before practice and two hours after practice. It's going to be interesting on Sunday, especially the way Yao is shooting his hook shot. It's unstoppable. I haven't seen anybody try to block it."Since O'Neal has been slowed down by injuries in recent seasons, the Rockets fully expect the Heat to double-team Yao on Sunday. Miami used two defenders against the big man when the teams met in the preseason.McGrady said Yao has developed so much that every team has to run at least two defensive players at the Rockets' center."It surprises me when teams don't double him inside," McGrady said. "But New York tried it and Yao just kicked outside for us to hit threes. So what do want? Pick your poison. Do you want Yao to kill you inside or do you want us to keep making threes."While his teammates have been quick to hail him as the league's best big man, Yao has shied away from such acclaim in respect for O'Neal's game.He's merely looking forward to another matchup against one of the best centers to ever play the game. "That's a big challenge and I like it," Yao said.</div>
Dayum, TMac is being the real playmaker out there.Dang, The Rockets are playing a bit sloppy right now.
Dang, Both teams are playing pretty sloppy right now.The Rockets are struggling on the Offensive end. C'MON MCGRADY! Geez.
Heat are up 42-39 at the half. T-Mac still isn't looking right. He was held to just 4 points with Dorell Wright covering him most of the time. Although, luckily for them Yao's still feeling it from last game, he has 14/8. Rockets are fortunate to be as close as they are with how horrible they've been shooting though.
T-Mac: 4/14....not acceptable. He NEEDS to drive it to the hoop more. At least he is taking shots, though, most of them good looks, and his playmaking has been good. So far I'm more impressed with him than I was agains tthe Knicks.
Yeah, McGrady's shot is terrible right now. He needs to have more confidence in himself to get to the basket. Even if it's not a layup, he needs to get closer instead of taking threes and fadeaway jumpers. And now they're all over Yao.Nice fadeaway from halfcourt too, Tracy.
3 assist sin less than a minute for T-Mac, starting to be more agressive and because of it the offense is flowing much better. Get a better defensive PG than Rafer, let T-Mac be playmaker, and we're set!
This is a awesome 2nd half by the Rockets. KEEP IT UP FELLAS!The Miami Heat have only scored 28 in the 2nd half, While the Rockets scored 43.
I'M TELLING YOU JVG.....MAKE T-MAC FULLTIME PLAYMAKER!!!!!!!! Did you guys not see how he totally wrecked the Heat in the last quarter? In the span of around 3min he had 5 assists, and the Yao/T-Mac pick and roll left the Heat totally stunned. Rafer can't do half the job T-Mac does at the Point. With T-Mac's shot still not falling, that role is perfect to get this team points.
ROCKETS WIN! ROCKETS WIN! ROCKETS WIN!Dayumm, TMac and Yao absolutely ripped the Heat in the 2nd half. McGrady was crazy in the 2nd half. That Pick and Roll with the dunk between the duo was sick.
Wooo what a great second half to watch. McGrady completely took over in the 4th quarter as the playmaker and got open shots for everybody including Head's consecutive 3s using the exact same play. McGrady's shot wasn't there tonight, but Yao played tremendously.I'm so happy right now
Shows what McGrady can do. When he gets rolling, The whole team gets rolling. Check out this quote from JVG."I don't know how he sees what he sees, but I'm sure glad he sees what he sees because I can't see what he sees."
