GAME: Houston Rockets(32-23) vs. San Antonio Spurs(37-19) LOCATION: SBC Center, San Antonio TIME: 8:30PM PROBABLE STARTERS SF Jim Jackson/Bruce Bowen PF Kelvin Cato/Tim Duncan C Yao Ming/Rasho Nesterovic PG Steve Francis/Tony Parker SG Cuttino Mobley/Hedo Turkoglu TEAM LEADERS Rockets: Yao Ming-16.9 points per game Yao Ming-9.0 rebounds per game Steve Francis-6.0 assists per game Spurs: Tim Duncan-23.1 points per game Tim Duncan-12.9 rebounds per game Tony Parker-5.3 assists per game KEYS TO THE GAME <u>Rockets</u> 1: Yao Ming Encore-Against the Hawks two nights ago, Yao Ming came through big, scoring a career-high 41 points and 16 rebounds. Something like that won't hurt, especially against the Spurs. However, Tim Duncan will most likely guard Yao. Expect a lot of physical play tonight. 2:Zero In On Duncan-Tim Duncan is a two-time MVP, meaning that he is no passover. Duncan is having a fantastic year, averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets can't relax on him tonight. TD can drop 30 on any given night, sliently. Kelvin Cato will have a tough task on hand against him. 3:Guard The 3 Point Line-The Spurs have many accurate shooters. Bruce Bowen led the league last season in 3 point field goal percentage, Hedo Turkoglu is solid from beyond, Ginobili makes three-pointers in spurts, Tony Parker can make them, and even Tim Duncan will surprise you with a three-pointer. The Rockets have to exercise the man-to-man defense well against them. <u>Spurs</u> 1:Home Court Advantage-The Spurs are a solid 18-7 at the SBC Center and have won 20 of the last 22 meetings with the Rockets. The Rockets are shaky on the road and the Spurs must make use of their fans against the hyped-up Rockets team tonight. 2:Prevent Yao From Getting Post Position-Yao Ming scored 41 points against Atlanta on Sunday. Sure, one can say that was against the Hawks, but it's not a easy task. The Spurs have to guard him close as Yao does a great job of positioning himself down in the key. 3:Rebound-The Spurs have relied on Tim Duncan to grab rebounds for them too much this season. All the players on their team must box out and rebound the taller Rockets. It looks like it will be a major key tonight, especially against two good rebounders in Cato and Yao. GAME OUTLOOK Both the Rockets and Spurs are coming off exciting victories on Sunday. The Rockets will most likely be tired tonight as they played a triple-OT game against the Hawks. Yao Ming played 49 minutes and Cuttino Mobley played an astounding 60 minutes! They have to play with energy tonight. If Yao has another good game, the task on the Rockets to win will be much lighter. If Tim Duncan has a big game, the Rockets will be in trouble. GAME PREDICTION Rockets-82 Spurs-86
Good preview. I have almost the same prediction for the game, Spurs by 4. Should be a good game and it will be interesting to see how Yao comes off of that great game he had against Atlanta. The Rockets always do poorly against other Texas teams, so that is another point that could help determine the game.
Who is Hedo Turkoglu? I think i got to pay more attention in the Spurs.... My prediction is rocket by 2, I hope Yao does the same thing like he put down 41 points at Atlanta Hawks to San Antonio Spurs. This is going to be interesting game to watch.
