(9-16) @ (14-15) December 31, 9:00 PM on Fox SW <u>Milwaukee Bucks</u> Coach- Terry Porter Starting Lineup- Maurice Williams, Michael Redd, Desmond Mason, Joe Smith, Dan Gadzuric Sixth Man, Mike James <u>Houston Rockets</u> Coach- Jeff Van Gundy Starting Lineup- Bob Sura, Tracy McGrady, Jon Barry, Juwan Howard, Yao Ming Sixth Man, Maurice Taylor <u>Keys to the Game</u> For the Bucks, they need to defend Tracy McGrady very well, which means to not give him any open shots. Their going to have to pressure the ball in order to cause more turnovers, since Houston is still working on their chemistry with the addition of new players. In addition to that, they're going to need to be agressive to the bucket with the guards in order to draw some fouls on Yao Ming to get him into foul trouble. After taking out their two main stars, Bucks will need everyone to step it up and do their part to win this game. For the Rockets, Yao needs to dominate the paint, period. There is not a single Bucks low post player that can guard him effectively enough. The ball should be going to him early and often. However, he also needs to be aggressive on the defensive end by getting the boards. In this game, we will also see the perimeter skills of the two newly acquired players-David Wesley and Jon Barry. Hopefully, they will improve from their last games. McGrady's game from the Cavaliers game hopefully will rollover to this game. That way, we will have offensive dominance, as well as defensive if Yao and the PFs steps it up on the boards. If all that happens, we will avenge the loss against the Bucks from last game. Rockets win, 95-84.
Nice preview. The Rockets would be out for blood in this game after being humiliated by the Bucks a few nights ago. However, Yao's production last time around was limited by the strong post play of Zaza Pachulia and Gadzuric, and he might find it hard this time around too. We have to establish him early by going to him on the first few plays. If he's hot early on, chances are he'll stay hot. Rockets by 9.
I think we got it this time. Yao clearly plays better at home so I expect him to play well tonight. And when Yao plays well everyone else seems to play well also. We could use a .500 record starting the new year.
Yep we need a .500 Record bad and I was watching the Spurs-Blazers game yesterday cause i waiting for the rockets to get 8th seed so i was watching the game and i saw the spurs using the same strategy: pass the ball to whoever is open and run for the lay-up , not just taking open shots, the rockets would win more games if they did this, Rockets win 101-95 by 6, Happy new years every1!!!
Yao can't be out. He may the Flu but i bet he will still play cause he played all his games since he was drafted
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao can't be out. He may the Flu but i bet he will still play cause he played all his games since he was drafted</div> I dont think that is true.. And -- how does that change anything? I heard Yao was out too, but I also heard that he will try playing through the flu, he threw up multiple times last game and the game before, and from what I heard he's having stomach problems too. It's probably just a game-time thing, and if we don't have him, we better hope Wesley can prove his worth.
Yao's supposedly out tonight? Well then...no .500 for us tonight I guess. We're going to have to start calling this a .500 curse or something pretty soon if it keeps up...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think that is true.. And -- how does that change anything? I heard Yao was out too, but I also heard that he will try playing through the flu, he threw up multiple times last game and the game before, and from what I heard he's having stomach problems too. It's probably just a game-time thing, and if we don't have him, we better hope Wesley can prove his worth.</div> Um it changes a lot of things and I think yao actually did attend all his games if you look on the nba website on his player profile he attended every game, and Also I'm Sure yao will be able t come to the game
Rocket's hit .500. 15-15. Mo Taylor went, 8-11 with 16 points. Mutumbo had 6 points. Westley had a bad shooting night but, played excellent defensive game. Congrats to Rockets. 3 staright years with a WIN on New Year's Eve.
Yep, Mcgrady was insane, Mo Taylor did well, Wesley got a few assists in there, all in all a very very nice game and we're now .500 baby!
I don't know about everyone else but, everytime I hear a "Tracccccy McGraadddyyy" I get a smile. I heard alot of those in a row. He had 17 pts in the First QTR alone. He was on fire. I felt so bad for the Bucks because, Barry had to nail that 3 to rub it in at the end
First, for those who said Wesley wasent good defensively,ha. Second for those who said that he couldnt put up good assist numbers, ha. Now to the game, I really hope that McGrady continues to play the three because thats where I think hes best at. Also good shooting night for Jon Barry, the team is really shwoing up now, and as I said they would start winning.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KleinBaller08:</div><div class="quote_post">First, for those who said Wesley wasent good defensively,ha. Second for those who said that he couldnt put up good assist numbers, ha. Now to the game, I really hope that McGrady continues to play the three because thats where I think hes best at. Also good shooting night for Jon Barry, the team is really shwoing up now, and as I said they would start winning.</div> No, No, No, NO! Tracy needs to drive more than shoot three's. Establish the drive in the beginning and let the three's come later on. If he gets hot driving and pull for a quick fadie or dunk he'll be THE BEST in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Adrenaline:</div><div class="quote_post">No, No, No, NO! Tracy needs to drive more than shoot three's. Establish the drive in the beginning and let the three's come later on. If he gets hot driving and pull for a quick fadie or dunk he'll be THE BEST in the league.</div> Lol I think he means play the 3 as in Small Forward...
Hopefully the Rockets can keep playing well because the schedule is going to be tought this month Sun 2 Utah Wed 5 Phoenix ESPN Fri 7 @ L.A. Lakers ESPN **MUST SEE** Sun 9 @ Denver Wed 12 @ Dallas ESPN Thu 13 New Jersey TNT Sat 15 San Antonio Mon 17 @ Memphis TNT Tue 18 Indiana Thu 20 @ Orlando TNT **MUST SEE** Fri 21 @ New York Mon 24 Orlando **MUST SEE** Wed 26 @ New Orleans Fri 28 Sacramento ESPN2 Sun 30 @ Miami ABC Mon 31 @ Boston There will be 8 Nationally Televised Games this Month We never seem to have a bad game on National Television, So thats good Hopefully we can beat some sure-playoff teams earn a little respect. And just a small thing I noticed about tonights game, McGrady Finally got himself some matching Red T-Mac 4s. http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51906118...9C30E9B9B114CE8 http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51906115...9C30E9B9B114CE8
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">Hopefully the Rockets can keep playing well because the schedule is going to be tought this month</div> Really? Who will be teaching it?
