<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> February 21, 2007 - 9:00 pm ET<span style="color:#FF0000">Game on ESPN</span></div><span style="color:#000000">Miami Heat</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">(26-26)</span><span style="color:#FF0000">PG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Gary Payton</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Jason Kapono</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">PF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Udonis Haslem</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">C</span> <span style="color:#000000">Shaquille O'Neal</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Alonzo Mourning, James Posey, Eddie Jones, Antoine Walker</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Houston Rockets</span> <span style="color:#000000">(33-19)</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, Bonzi Wells, John Lucas III</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#FF0000">MIA:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Jason Williams will not play (left foot)</span><span style="color:#FF0000">MIA:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Wayne Simien will not play (Salmonella poisoning)</span><span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Yao Ming will not play (fractured right tibia)</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 28.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.3 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">Shaquille O'Neal</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 13.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">Udonis Haslem</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 11.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 23.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.1 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Shane Battier</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 10.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.3 apg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Dikembe Mutombo</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 3.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 5.2 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg</span>Rookie Watch <span style="color:#FF0000">MIA:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Chris Quinn</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000000">2.6 ppg, 1.3 apg</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">2.4 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 1.0 apg</span><span style="color:#000000">Miami's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#000000">James Posey</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 6.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.3 apg</span><span style="color:#000000">He'll need to play as tough as possible on T-Mac. Posey, in my opinion, is the X-Factor every time Miami plays a team with a top notch scoring swingman. He's the best perimeter defender on the team, he's long, strong, and athletic.</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Houston's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Dikembe Mutombo</span><span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 3.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg</span><span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 5.2 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Shaq is Shaq, old and hurt or not. This is the time where The Diesel will try and get something going, before playoff time. Mt. Mutombo has a tough assignment tonight.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#000000">Dwyane Wade</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span></div><span style="color:#000000">This is self explanatory. Both are top 5 wing players in the NBA.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes- Both teams have won 7 of their last 10 games. CelticBalla's PredictionI think Miami is going to take this one on the road and I think D-Wade will go for 30+.
When I watch Rockets games they always seem to give in at the end, for some reason. One of these games was against Dallas on TNT last Thursday, it seemed like Houston had control of the ball game with momentum shifting to their side, but Dallas just grinds it out at the end. Yeah, its the Dallas Mavericks and Houston does not have Yao, but they can't let that happen tonight. I'm taking H-Town, they're still the better team. When Miami's clicking on all cylinders, they're tough to beat, also. P.S. If Jeff Van Gundy puts McGrady on Wade at some point during the game, I can see Wade having a really tough night. McGrady's long.. and just as quick as any other guard in the league.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ Feb 22 2007, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When I watch Rockets games they always seem to give in at the end, for some reason. One of these games was against Dallas on TNT last Thursday, it seemed like Houston had control of the ball game with momentum shifting to their side, but Dallas just grinds it out at the end. Yeah, its the Dallas Mavericks and Houston does not have Yao, but they can't let that happen tonight. I'm taking H-Town, they're still the better team. When Miami's clicking on all cylinders, they're tough to beat, also. P.S. If Jeff Van Gundy puts McGrady on Wade at some point during the game, I can see Wade having a really tough night. McGrady's long.. and just as quick as any other guard in the league.</div>The key word is Dallas. Dallas does this to every team. Make them feel like they have a chance and burn them at the end. Rockets up 16 right now. I'm loving it.
T-mac is killing it. 17pts and 5asts in the first half. He is really on a nice roll,a nd looks like he's having fun out there. Rockets have exploded offensively for the first time this season. They are looking the best they have all year.Wade is struggling. Turning it over, forcing really tough shots, and just being frustrated.
HAHA Dwyane Wade getting taken off in a wheelchair (funny because his shoulder is hurt!). He hurt it as it was like bended back in a certain way, and he hasn't moved it since it happenned.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Feb 21 2007, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>HAHA Dwyane Wade getting taken off in a wheelchair (funny because his shoulder is hurt!). He hurt it as it was like bended back in a certain way, and he hasn't moved it since it happenned.</div>haha word...it looked like he hyperextended his arm but if that is the case why did he appear to be crying and need a wheelchair with a hurt shoulder. I guess we will find out later, the Rockets really impressed me in this game and Tmac is playing great.
Dang, the Rockets have been on a tear latley. Sucks for Wade, but I dont mind much.....I really dont like him. I want to know why the Rockets are doing just as good without Yao. Either it just took T-Mac a while to get back to his game, or they are just better without him, because they have been dominating latley.
Wait, I was watching the Cavs then Lost, what happen to D-Wade? I need to know, if he is out Sunday, omg, make my day that day...lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Feb 21 2007, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dang, the Rockets have been on a tear latley. Sucks for Wade, but I dont mind much.....I really dont like him. I want to know why the Rockets are doing just as good without Yao. Either it just took T-Mac a while to get back to his game, or they are just better without him, because they have been dominating latley.</div>It's a mix of those reasons. the game is too slowed down without Yao, and T-Mac defers FAR too much to Yao. When Yao takes 10 seconds, incluidng the entry pass and actual move, it gets role players out of sync. But T-Mac playing better is the biggest reason for their success, he has been palying at an MVP level.
Dislocated shoulder is what I've heard. Could be out for the season. Right now they are saying he'll be out 6 weeks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DAMN Wade was hurting wonder what will find out with him.</div>Gah, stupid officials. That should have been a flagrant 2 on Shane Battier. He took out Wade with no regard and now look, Wade had to be carted off on a wheelchair then stretchered out. Sad day, Stern probably had to be restrained from the noose.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Feb 22 2007, 04:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Gah, stupid officials. That should have been a flagrant 2 on Shane Battier. He took out Wade with no regard and now look, Wade had to be carted off on a wheelchair then stretchered out. Sad day, Stern probably had to be restrained from the noose.</div>Sarcasm?
