After showing signs of improvement against Dallas, the Rockets look to end their losing streak against the Sixers. Probable line-ups: Point Guard: Sixers - Allen Iverson Rockets - Bob Sura Allen Iverson is the Sixers biggest threat. It's up to Sura to keep up with him defensively, but Sura needs to create for his team-mates. Advatage: Sixers Shooting Guard: Sixers - Andre Iguodala Rockets - Tracy McGrady After Tracy's monster effort in Dallas going to waste, he, and the Rockets, will look to take advantage of the young rookie, Andre Iguodala. Tracy, offensively should have a good game. Advantage: Rockets Small Forward: Sixers - Kyle Korver Rockets - Jim Jackson Just like against Dallas, Jackson will have to chase another, young, athletic, explosive player, but the seasoned veteran should be able to match Korver's offensive threat with some fireworks of his own. Advantage: Even Power Foward: Sixers - Josh Davis Rockets - Juwan Howard Josh Davis is young, and yet has to prove himself this season. Juwan Howard, is a veteran, who still has to prove himself this season. I still think Juwan wins this, just because he has averaged more points, and is a lot more experienced. Advantage: Rockets.. barely Center: Sixers - Marc Jackson Rockets - Yao Ming This is close. Yao has been inconsistent. Jackson, is a big body who should be able to disrupt Yao's game to an extent. But Yao always shows up when no on expects him to. Don't be suprised to see Yao have a big game. Advantage: Rockets Keys to the Game: - Assert everyone in the offense. Find the open man, don't put the pressure on someone down the stretch. Play up-tempo to control possesion. - Defense!! Defense!! The Rockets, renown for their stifling defense last year, should begin to use the same trend. Korver's 3 ball and Iverson as a whole can kill us. Play good defense down the stretch. - Clutch Plays. We aren't named Clutch City for nothing. The TOs in overtime against Dallas killed us. Don't get Yao into foul trouble, and take care of the ball. The Rockets, if they play the same way against Dallas, should be able to pull this one out. Sixers - 86 Rockets - 92
The Sixers have struggled recently, and I think the Rockets will be ready this time. Hopefully, the crowd is loud and supportive to start the game. I've gone on and on about this, but I hope JVG plays Weatherspoon and Padgett at PF, and gives Mutombo more minutes. Come on, Jeff, at least try it one game.
Good preview. And you are very right about Yao Ming; he will have a monster game tonight as well as Tracy McGrady. Against this undersized and lackadaisical 76ers defense, any given player can easily drop 30+ Points on Philly. I say Ming will have somewhere around 25 Points and 13 Rebounds, and Tracy McGrady on the other hand will go for 30+. However, even though they may have a monster games, I think this game will be a close one throughout, but the Rockets will end up taking this one through a 4th quarter rally.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">We're gonna win this one..easy win</div> I hope so man . I want this team to get back on track and start winning. This month they have an easy schedule so they better take advantage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">We're gonna win this one..easy win</div> Yeah, everyone was saying that before we faced the Hawks too. Seems like they were all wrong. Hope you aren't this time though. On to the game, Yao's production will once again be key. The Sixers are a good rebounding and they have two athletic, long centers to contend with Yao. Defensive rebounding will have to be demonstrated to perfection and 10+ offensive boards won't hurt too. Bob Sura, after one assist last night, needs to get the guys involved more. If Tracy McGrady continues his performance against Dallas, things could get ugly. However, T-Mac has to be careful not to have a scoring contest against Iverson. He has to get the guys involved too. Rockets by 8.
Idk about Kyle Korver being even with Jimmy Jackson. Korver is pretty much one-dimensional, all he does is jack up threes... he makes them but he's not great at driving to the net.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 32 PHX/HOU 1:</div><div class="quote_post">Idk about Kyle Korver being even with Jimmy Jackson. Korver is pretty much one-dimensional, all he does is jack up threes... he makes them but he's not great at driving to the net.</div> Yeah. Korver is very one-dimensional. He doesn't have much driving skills, and no hang time. All Jackson has to do is actually guard him close so he can't square for the shot. Having him shoot off-balance will be great. Korver is also not a good defender, so expect Jackson to attack him tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On to the game, Yao's production will once again be key. The Sixers are a good rebounding and they have two athletic, long centers to contend with Yao. Defensive rebounding will have to be demonstrated to perfection and 10+ offensive boards won't hurt too. Bob Sura, after one assist last night, needs to get the guys involved more. If Tracy McGrady continues his performance against Dallas, things could get ugly. However, T-Mac has to be careful not to have a scoring contest against Iverson. He has to get the guys involved too.</div> Some of your points are kind of off imo.The Sixers arent a good rebounding team at all, at least when it comes to our bigmen. Our leading rebounder Marc Jackson, averages about 6 a game. We also dont have two long athletic centers. Marc Jackson is more of a power player, he doesnt have much athleticsm and he isnt very long at 6"10, we do however have a center that fits your discription of long and athletic, in Samuel Dalembert. I see Tracy and Yao having a big game as a duo, because star players usally have field days on the Sixers defense. I see the Rockets coming out strong early, the Sixers may fight back in the second half, but if they want to win AI is going to have to perform.
Hmm, did some research on Jackson, and found out he wasn't that good a rebounder at all. However, he is a good offensive rebounder, which was what I was referring to anyways. And besides, the Sixers are at least not worst in the league in rebounding are they? We are. Thanks for pointing out some of my loopholes btw, that explains why I shouldn't be a Sixer fan. Guess I better stick to my own team.
they're more one dimensional than us..a.i is the whole team..yao's gna play well one of these games and tmac is gna finish them off..it as easy as 123 ..with sura and barrett we're lookin a bit better as a team..it's gna be a great start of a turnaround for us today i'm feelin it..we're gna start gaining some confidence and begin a winning streak thanks to the sixers being crappy..i have no doubts
Good grief. Reece Gaines is completely inept on offense. And Mo, in the words of Bill Walton, "Get a rebound!"
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KleinBaller08:</div><div class="quote_post">Jackson is sick. If Reece Gaines hit his shots hed be fine.</div> And made good passes.
Why Van Gundy?! Why put Mo Taylor back in the game in the 4th quarter? He sucked in the first half! Argh, first offensive possession he turns the ball over! Gyaaaargh, first defensive possession, he misses a defensive rotation. TAKE HIM OUT! He's killing us!
Omg, I Held My Breathe During That Last Possesion. Good Win For The Rockets. They Stop The Losing Streak And Win With There Most Consistant Player Jj.
Well, a win is a win and I'm glad we got one breaking the losing streak. Despite Mcgrady's bad shooting night, he did have 17 points to go along with 4 steals, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Yao Ming had a pretty good game (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm going by boxscore) with 20 points, and 13 rebounds.
