<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> January 12, 2007 - 10:30 pm ET<span style="color:#FF0000">Game on ESPN</span></div><span style="color:#FF0000">Houston Rockets</span> <span style="color:#000000">(23-13)</span><span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Rafer Alston</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Shane Battier</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Juwan Howard</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Dikembe Mutombo</span><span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Luther Head, Chuck Hayes, John Lucas III, Kirk Snyder</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">Denver Nuggets</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">(17-16)</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">PG</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Allen Iverson</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">SG</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">J.R. Smith</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">SF</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Linas Kleiza</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">PF</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Eduardo Najera</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">C</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Marcus Camby</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Reggie Evans, Nene, Yakhouba Diawara, Steve Blake</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Yao Ming will not play (fractured right tibia)</span><span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Bonzi Wells will not play (sore lower back)</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">DEN:</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Carmelo Anthony will not play (serving suspension)</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">DEN:</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Kenyon Martin is out for season (microfracture surgery)</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 21.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.0 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Shane Battier</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 10.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Dikembe Mutombo</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 2.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 4.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 2.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">Allen Iverson</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 29.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.1 spg</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">As A Nugget: 26.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 7.5 apg, 2.0 spg</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">Marcus Camby</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 11.9 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.9 bpg</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">J.R. Smith</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 16.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.7 apg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Steve Novak</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">1.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Vassilis Spanoulis</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">2.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 1.1 apg</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">DEN:</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Yakhouba Diawara</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">5.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Houston's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Dikembe Mutombo</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 2.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 4.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 2.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Mt. Mutombo has been incredible lately, and it's especially impressive considering that he's a 40 year old man. But he need to play the same way he has been lately, tonight, because Marcus Camby does exactly what he does... except better.</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">Denver's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">Eduardo Najera</span><span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg</span><span style="color:#00BFFF">I'm sure Eddie will have his shot at T-Mac tonight, so his job is to bring the intangibles (as usual) and play tough defense on McGrady.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#00BFFF">Allen Iverson</span></div><span style="color:#000000">Two top 10 players in the world, this could be a real shootout.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/NotesI can't wait for this game!!! CelticBalla's PredictionI see Denver winning, and I see a very high scoring game. It's going to be a great game.
I can't wait for the game. I'm definetly a little worried though. T-Mac and the Rockets have been on fire lately. This will definetly be a tough game.
Halftime, 44-41 Rockets.Im not satisfied on how the Rockets are playing. I know they can do much more. Let's hope they do in the 2nd half.
They can double McGrady all they want. Still wouldn't matter, he'll always find a guy to pass it to and make a shot :nasty:
Ow for the love of god WTF. AI started very hot the first 10 points for the team I think. Was running around cause I just got back from the Sixers game once this game started. But the rest of the team started 0-9 or w/e it was. Iverson 10-21 shooting wish he did better in the 2nd half scored more I mean. He also had 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. He had 3 steals, and one block to add to that. And finally I think 2 games both with like only 3 turnovers this game, and the last one he only had 3 unlike before when he had 5-6 a game.JR Smith is not doing good 4-17 OUCH we need his help he has got to get better fast.Najera 1-7 what a mess this dude is. lol Camby 24 boards was awsome. 3-10 shooting though, but w/e the boards were great. And also his hand, and he had the flu so w/e 24 boards is great.Diawara 5-14 looks better then it looked watching the game. This guy needs to stop f*cking shooting he really getting me mad. I mean after all those misses at the end of the 1st, or w/e I for get AI goes back to him with in the corner with time running out when AI should have taking that shot at the end of the first. He made it, but still.Blake was greatNene 2-8 this guy needs to get in better shape, and finish.I am glad on of the comments I for get who Bill Walton, or one of them made saying AI made some nice passes atleast he got some props cause those guys could not finish for there life. lolI mean AI is getting like no REAL help out there it's pathetic. Camby only he rebounding like crazy latly, and socres to even though tonight he was of 3-10 he still got the board. The other guys are awful.And WHY THE F*CK do they have JR on the bench at the end of the game, and Diawara in the game last few minutes? WHAT idiots I mean JR is of, but he still way better then Diawara.And with like 7 sec when they were down 3, and Blake passed to Diawara for the 3 instead of AI what was he thinking. And AI made a 3 to tie just before that to. So that means he is the best player, and made the last 3 to tie why you let a guy who is awful shoot that when you have 7 f*cking seconds. ARG :thumbdn1: AI showed leader ship out there though when during a time out or w/e Diawara set on the bench kinda down from missing shots AI set in the first seat called him over, and told him don't worry about it keep shooting they will go in. Don't remember the exact words the commentor guy said, but something like that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Serge @ Jan 13 2007, 05:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And WHY THE F*CK do they have JR on the bench at the end of the game, and Diawara in the game last few minutes? WHAT idiots I mean JR is of, but he still way better then Diawara.</div>Maybe you didn't notice, but Diawara did a very good job on McGrady. He was chucking worse than Antoine Walker on the offensive end, but the defense is what kept him in the game. Also, J.R.'s shot wasn't falling either. So, they chose the off shooter with defense over the off shooter with mediocre defense. Good choice. But god damn, Diawara, STOP shooting 3's.Houston didn't play all that well tonight, and they still won the game. Rafer Alston, wow. The past like 7 games, he has been shooting like 30-35% from the floor, what the hell is up with that? T-Mac couldn't get much to fall tonight, but he did set up his teammates very nicely (especially the clutch play he made on the pass to Battier, who hit a HUGE 3). I thought Juwan Howard played a good game. Mutombo was there again on the glass and under the hoop for defensive purposes. What a great shot blocker and rebounder, I'm so surprised he's still playing at this kind of level at 40 years old. Shane Battier tonight, was huge. He knocked down so many huge shots and he really did an excellent job on the glass and defensively. I love Shane Battier. Usually, how well he plays doesn't really reflect the stat sheet, but it did tonight plus the intangibles.John Lucas looked pretty good when he was out there too. He didn't force anything and he played under control. I know he had an outstanding summer league, but I hadn't really gotten to see him play in the NBA until this game. He looked alright out there, better than I expected.For Denver, AI started off ON FIYYYAAAA. Diawara was chucking more three's than Antoine Walker and Quentin Richardson combined, but he really did a good job defensively on T-Mac. He played up in his face and he bothered his shots. J.R. couldn't knock much down tonight at all. He just threw up brick after brick. Steve Blake had an OUTSTANDING Nuggets debut. He knocked down his open shots, he played under great control, set up his teammates well, and he didn't rush anything in transition. I think Blake did an excellent job tonight, and I think he could fit pretty nicely in Denver.Also, Marcus Camby... wow. Watching the game, I didn't realize how many rebounds he pulled down. I mean, I knew he was pulling them down, but I would have guessed 14-15 boards. I just saw the box score, and he had 24??? Damn.Neither team played as good as they usually do, but Houston is ROLLING right now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 13 2007, 05:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe you didn't notice, but Diawara did a very good job on McGrady. He was chucking worse than Antoine Walker on the offensive end, but the defense is what kept him in the game. Also, J.R.'s shot wasn't falling either. So, they chose the off shooter with defense over the off shooter with mediocre defense. Good choice. But god damn, Diawara, STOP shooting 3's.I know that man I was talking we needed at the end offense, and JR is better at shooting then Diawara I think. And haha I know that is what get's me mad the dude is throwing up 3's like crazy.Houston didn't play all that well tonight, and they still won the game. Rafer Alston, wow. The past like 7 games, he has been shooting like 30-35% from the floor, what the hell is up with that? T-Mac couldn't get much to fall tonight, but he did set up his teammates very nicely (especially the clutch play he made on the pass to Battier, who hit a HUGE 3). I thought Juwan Howard played a good game. Mutombo was there again on the glass and under the hoop for defensive purposes. What a great shot blocker and rebounder, I'm so surprised he's still playing at this kind of level at 40 years old. Shane Battier tonight, was huge. He knocked down so many huge shots and he really did an excellent job on the glass and defensively. I love Shane Battier. Usually, how well he plays doesn't really reflect the stat sheet, but it did tonight plus the intangibles.Yeah the game was ugly, but except T-Mac there was guys having a good game. Yeah Deke at his age is still crazy what he does at his age. John Lucas looked pretty good when he was out there too. He didn't force anything and he played under control. I know he had an outstanding summer league, but I hadn't really gotten to see him play in the NBA until this game. He looked alright out there, better than I expected.For Denver, AI started off ON FIYYYAAAA. Diawara was chucking more three's than Antoine Walker and Quentin Richardson combined, but he really did a good job defensively on T-Mac. He played up in his face and he bothered his shots. J.R. couldn't knock much down tonight at all. He just threw up brick after brick. Steve Blake had an OUTSTANDING Nuggets debut. He knocked down his open shots, he played under great control, set up his teammates well, and he didn't rush anything in transition. I think Blake did an excellent job tonight, and I think he could fit pretty nicely in Denver.AI Yeah it was like AI scored the first 10 teams points everyone else was like 0-9 I am like WTF? Diawara haha don't get me started on this guy like I said stop shooting so many damn 3's. I know they left him in for D, but geez. JR Yeah I am sure it get better at some point, but they need a 2nd true guy now to help AI. Blake yep I agree great game. Also, Marcus Camby... wow. Watching the game, I didn't realize how many rebounds he pulled down. I mean, I knew he was pulling them down, but I would have guessed 14-15 boards. I just saw the box score, and he had 24??? Damn.Yeah they whole game it did not look as much as it was, but the guys kept saying how many he had I was like wow. I was at the Sixers game today since I am a season ticket holder, and Bogut had like 17 rebounds at the half ended with like 21 points, and 24 boards also I think. So 2 guys on the same night with 20+ boards how often that happen even though diff games. lolNeither team played as good as they usually do, but Houston is ROLLING right now.</div>^^^ AnsweredBut ya Rockets I can't believe are doing so well with Yao out.
I really hope TMac gets out of this shooting slump soon. Like REAL SOON! I know it's only been two games so far in this slump but we got the Kings today, then after that, the Mavs, then the Suns. Other than the Kings, are next 2 games are going to be tough.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dsounG @ Jan 13 2007, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I really hope TMac gets out of this shooting slump soon. Like REAL SOON! I know it's only been two games so far in this slump but we got the Kings today, then after that, the Mavs, then the Suns. Other than the Kings, are next 2 games are going to be tough.</div>LOL 2 games that's all? HAHA Diawara has been in a slump looks like since he was drafted. :HAHAHA:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dsounG @ Jan 13 2007, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I really hope TMac gets out of this shooting slump soon. Like REAL SOON! I know it's only been two games so far in this slump but we got the Kings today, then after that, the Mavs, then the Suns. Other than the Kings, are next 2 games are going to be tough.</div>Did you not know that T-Mac recently had a string of 6 of 7 30+ point nights in a row?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dsounG @ Jan 13 2007, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They can double McGrady all they want. Still wouldn't matter, he'll always find a guy to pass it to and make a shot :nasty:</div>THATS JUST WHAT I WAS THINKING! YOU CANT STOP T-MAC.....um mavs and suns dont have ANYONE to stop t-mac...what thay gonna to shawn??BULL t-mac will drop 56..and vs dallas..if dirk..well t-mac 50000000 times faster and howard is slow too..but rest of the noob will get KILT UNLESS yao comes back!
<span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS">T-Mac took too many 3's for no reason. The game was enjoyable. I liked Steve Blake's little "fire" moment, where he hit two 3's in a row. Pretty cool. However, it was amazing how Shane Battier put the game away with that 3-Pter.</span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 14 2007, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Did you not know that T-Mac recently had a string of 6 of 7 30+ point nights in a row?</div>I knew that do I count? LOL
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 14 2007, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Did you not know that T-Mac recently had a string of 6 of 7 30+ point nights in a row?</div>I knew that...Im just saying...He's missing a lot of shots right now. Easy shots, missing free throws. But like I said, You can't stop TMac...37 two nights ago. :winkglasses:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dsounG @ Jan 15 2007, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I knew that...Im just saying...He's missing a lot of shots right now. Easy shots, missing free throws. But like I said, You can't stop TMac...37 two nights ago. :winkglasses:</div>You can stop T-Mac... just punch him in the back, and boom he's out for the season. :happy0144:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Jan 15 2007, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You can stop T-Mac... just punch him in the back, and boom he's out for the season. :happy0144:</div>NOT FUNNY!
