LAC @ Houston...TONIGHT! @ Time: 8:30 eastern PLace:Toyota Center TV: Local ====================== Probable Starting Lineups Steve Francis/Marko Jaric Cuttino Mobley/Quentin Richardson Jim Jackson/Corey Maggette Kelvin Cato/Elton Brand Yao Ming/Chris Kaman =========================== Injuries: HOU- PG-Mike Wilks-Shoulder-IL SF-Adrian Griffin-Knee-IL PF-Eddige Griffen-OUT LAC- C Olden Polynice Neck IL PG Eddie House Foot IL C Josh Moore Back Out ======================= Notes- (thanks to sportsline) HOU-The Rockets are much better defensively, but they still need to change the backcourt to fit Steve Francis' scoring ability and make Cuttino Mobley the sixth man. LAC- With Elton Brand back, they're even stronger. They will challenge for a playoff spot. ======================== Key Bench PLayer: <ul> [*]Taylor(left) is averaging 10.8ppg and 4.7rpg. [*]Chris Wilcox(right) is averaging 9.9ppg and 5.2rpg [/list] ================================ Key PLayers: <ul> [*]Steve Francis is one of the best PG in the league, he is averaging 17.4ppg, 5.1apg, and 5.7rpg [/list] <ul> [*]Elton Brand is improving every game, and he should be an allstar, he is averaging a double-double...17.9ppg. and 11.5rpg [/list] ============================== Keys to the Game: HOU- Get Yao Ming involved, he is going to need to score this game for a win, Steve Francis should have a nice game playing a PG with only 1 year experience, Cuttino Mobley will also need to hit his shots, and Kelvin Cato needs to keep Elton Brand off the glass. LAC- Quentin Richardson needs to hit his shots, he struggled last game going 1-10 and only 2pts, Corey Maggette has been playing like an all-star all year and he will once again have to show up...Elton Brand should be a huge part of the offense tonight. ================ Prediction: THe CLippers pull this out in a nail biter 99-98
Nice preview, should be a great game too. My gut tells me Maggette will be the difference here, he has too much on Jimmy Jackson and has been been an absolute stud this year. I'm gonna say Clippers in an upset by 7, Houston don't look too flash hot at the moment.
This game will be really good. I think the key match up tonight will be Jaric on Francis. I think Houston has a definite advantage at the PG slot. Im looking forward to seeing Elton Brand in action. He is one of the most underated players in the league. I think he will have a huge game. Please visit my preview: http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10214
The game is in Houston not L.A.I feel the same as Sir Desmond the Clippers in an upset.They are playing very good basketball and have won 4 straight.How the Rockets guard Richardson and Corey Maggette will be the key.Stopping them from running is a must for the Rockets.
Nice preview Va :thumbsup: I too am going with the Clippers, I think this team will only keep playing better.
Nice job VA. I give the Rockets the edge only because they are at home. It should be a good game but the Rockets will prevail.
Ah, the co-rookies of the year are goin head to head. I think I'll enjoy every match up between their two teams just to see if they play like they have something to prove. But is it just me or does anyone else see Francis making mincemeat of Jaric and forcing Dunleavy to give Dooling bigger minutes? I gotta go with Houston. Jackson's defense is underrated, and he could hassle Maggette enough to hinder him. Brand will be a force on the boards, but I don't think he's ever gone up against Yao before, which should be interesting due to the near-foot in height difference, which could limit Elton offensively.
Good job on the preview. I predict the rockets to pull out the win. I really like justbball its cool to see so many bball lovers. who can hold Yao.
4:49 left in the third, 68-56 Houston, i am very disappointed in the Clippers, i thought they would come out and play well Q Rich has 15pts and 5 boards Maggette has 16pts Brand has 7pts on 3-10 shooting, 7 boards Stevey Franchise has 12pts 3assists Ming has 21pts, 7boards, 4 assists
Damn, wanted to see the Clips pull another one out, were playing very good ball. But I guess you can say the better team won tonight, Rockets simply dominated.
I'm a fan of the Clippers and they are very fun to watch. Maybe its cuz I live in the LA area, but Clippers are a fun team to watch and they aren't that bad. Too bad that they dropped this one, they were just on a 4 game winning streak... Guess Yao-Mobley-Francis was too good lol Brand-Maggette-Q isn't a bad tri themsleves....just a young team that needs to develope.
I was way off on my predictions for friday's games magic v Warriors=wrong Pacers v Pistons=wrong Rockets v Clippers=wrong Seems Brand didn't get going offensively which hurt the Clips.
