GAME: Houston Rockets(29-22)" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/rockets/rockets_p...go.jpg">(29-22)</a> AT Los Angeles Lakers(31-18)" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/rockets/lakers_pr...go.jpg">(31-18)</a> LOCATION: Toyota Center, Houston TIME: 8PM PROBABLE STARTERS " target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jim_jackson.jpg"></a>SF" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rick_fox.jpg"></a> Jim Jackson/ Rick Fox " target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kelvin_cato.jpg"></a>PF" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stanis...edvedenko.jpg"></a> Kelvin Cato/ Slava Medvedenko " target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg"></a>C" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shaquille_oneal.jpg"></a> Yao Ming/ Shaquille O?Neal " target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_francis.jpg"></a>PG" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/gary_payton.jpg"></a> Steve Francis/ Gary Payton " target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/cuttino_mobley.jpg"></a>SG" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kareem_rush.jpg"></a> Cuttino Mobley/ Kareem Rush TEAM LEADERS Rockets: Steve Francis-16.8 points per game Yao Ming-9.0 rebounds per game Steve Francis-5.9 assists per game Lakers: Shaquille O?Neal-20.7 points per game Shaquille O?Neal-11.0 rebounds per game Gary Payton-6.0 assists per game KEYS TO THE GAME <u>ROCKETS</u> 1:Francis Matures-The Rockets lost a crucial game to the Spurs on Monday because the recently suspended Steve Francis showed a selfish performance and refused to pass the ball in the clutch seconds of the game. This cannot happen tonight. I?m sure Francis has been reprimanded a lot so I am not going to rub it in. He needs to know that he himself can?t win games, and I'm sure he'll show a better understanding of that idea tonight. 2:Yao Ming Steps Up-After having a fantastic stretch, Yao Ming disappeared. The Great Wall Of China whom we had seen averaging 20-10 games vanished into thin air. Many can argue this is the sophomore slump, but Yao has slumped a lot of times this season. Instead, the new Yao we got was the old Yao Ming which we had seen a lot last fall. He was turnover-prone, and basically just decided to take less shots. This won't cut it tonight. Against the best centre in the game, Yao will need to stand his own, as he's done in previous seasons. However, the Rockets won't cope with a Yao standing his own. They need him to take over. 3:Role Players Produce: The Rockets have various role players. There is the defensive monster Kelvin Cato, the quiet assasin Jim Jackson and the scoring machine Mo Taylor. All three players need to produce tonight. They are all vital for the Rockets to win and each of them must do their thing. <u>LAKERS</u> 1:Payton Makes The Rockets Pay-Gary Payton has been basically forgotten since signing with the Lakers to take on a minor role. He is no longer the number 1 option on offense with the Lake Show, but he can still take games over when he is required to. Steve Francis has not been giving his all recently and Gary must make him pay and teach him a lesson. 2:Rush Shoots The Lights Out-In the absence of Kobe Bryant, Kareem Rush has stepped up perfectly. He is hitting a lot of clutch jumpers and making the most of his minutes. He will need to continue doing that tonight. Cuttino Mobley might be underrating Rush, so Kareem might just go for 20 points and 4 assists, ideal numbers for any sophomore, Yao included. 3:Shaq Daddy Comes To Play-Shaquille O'Neal needs to wake up. He needs to realize that despite Kobe and anything else, he's still the man for the Lakers. A Shaq-less Lakers is the same as a Dirk-less Mavs, a Kidd-less Nets, among other examples. The problem is, Shaq isn't playing up to that level now. He's getting complacent because there's more people to blame a loss on now. Shaq has to come to his senses and do what he used to do-dominate. If he does that tonight, the Lakers get a victory. If he doesn't, the Lakers get another loss to add to their colorful yearbook. GAME OUTLOOK This game is crucial for both teams and there is no doubt that both of them will go all out for the W. The winner will be decided on who wants it more. In this case, the Rockets seem to have a problem. However, the Lakers have shown let-ups in the past an there is a possibility that they'll have another one. If Yao, Francis and basically everyone else plays above their average levels, we could get the 30th win of the season. If not, we get kaboom. GAME PREDICTION Rockets 99 Lakers 91
Lakers by 14. I think the Lakers know that they have to end this road trip on a good note. (4-2 so far) Plus, I'm sure they want to avenge the earlier Christmas Day loss back at Staples Center. Look out if Kobe puts on a show.
I'm sorry I got wind of the news after I wrote the preview. I'm too busy currently so I guess I'll leave it unchanged. Since Kobe's playing, I'll have a new prediction. Rockets 103 Lakers 102
Shaq is back, and Payton will probably not be getting ejected. They're coming off a recent win, while the Rockets just lost at home. Steve Francis will try and do it all himself, and the Rockets will show why they're notorious for turning the ball over. Lakers by 11.
I think that the rockets will win by 1-5 points and Yao is going to dunk over shaq. Good preview franchise3.
I really think the Lakers will win the game tonight and when I mean win I mean beat the Rockets by 10+ points. Why you might ask? Here are my reasons: 1. The lakers obviously aren't too happy about what happened on Christmas Day when they were embarrased on their home court. They will want serious payback tonight. Tonight is a must win for them and when they play "must when games" the Lakers usually win. 2. Steve Francis - He hasn't played well as of late and it is obvious that him and JVG are not the closest of friends. After what happened against the Spurs, I think Francis might be a bit too passive tonight. If the Rockets have any chance tonight they need to get Shaq in foul trouble early. On offense they must get Shaq out of the paint and the best way to do that is to run the pick and roll with Yao. Yao has to make his shots tonight. Lakers by 12.
hahha u guys r hilarious...stop predicting b4 games ok, so u won't look stupid after the match <font color="Blue">If you can't say something that will bring intelligent discussion in a mature manner to a thread, then don't post in it. - dexter</font>
Haha, you can kiss our ass, then people won't dislike you so much after a post. Anyway, good game. Rockets played nearly flawless against the Lakers, fouling out Shaq and keeping Yao Ming involved. They finally controlled their turnovers for once, and Steve Francis played brilliantly. 21 points on 9-11 shooting, and Mobley had 10 assists. I think they should probably consider switching their roles. Francis to shooting guard and Mobley to point guard. Great, much needed win for the Rockets.
Great win for the Rockets...a game of flawless execution and oustanding defense, and the kind of game where Francis and Yao both dominated within the confines of the offense...Mobley with 10 assists...Francis had great shot selection and did a great job making sure Yao got enough touches...just a brilliant game for the Rockets...a great way to head into the all-star break...
<div align="center"><u>GAME REVIEW</u></div> This game was one of the best of our season. We have beaten one of the best teams in the NBA and enter the All-Star break with a solid blowout home win. We did a good job of holding Shaq to 5-12 shooting and fouling him out in the process. Everyone on the team contributed tonight as we go 2-0 against the Lakers. I strong believe that if these two teams were ever to meet in the playoffs, we could have a chance of upsetting. <div align="center"><u>franchise3's KEY PLAYERS</u></div> Yao Ming had 29 points on 10-21 shooting against the best center in the game. With his form in the two recent games, he looks to be having a hot hand entering the All-Star game as a starter. Cuttino Mobley had 21 points, as did backcourt mate Steve Francis. The backcourt combined for 16 of the Rockets' 21 assists. This is what we need to see of them every night. Mo Taylor was solid off the bench, scoring 14 points on 7-11 shooting.
