Details: When: Tuesday, March 8th Where: Key Arena, Seattle Time (Seattle): 7:00 P.M. TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="Green">Seattle (41-17) </font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="red">Houston (34-25)</font> Mike James David Wesley Tracy McGrady Juwan Howard Yao MIng Injury Troubles: <font color="Green">Seattle</font> Mateen Cleaves: Sprained thumb, ruled out. Damien Wilkins: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Nick Collison: Broken nose, gametime. <font color="red">Houston</font> Bob Sura: Sore back, ruled out. Charlie Ward: Knee surgery, ruled out. Andre Barrett: Sprained ankle, ruled out. Brief Notes: <ul>[*]The Sonics came back down to earth with a thud two days ago, shooting 3/27 from downtown on route to a loss to Joe Johnson's Suns, Joe himself nailing a game high 30 points with a perfect 5-5 record from behind the arc to go with it. Houston are the next team to visit the Key, and they have been the Sonic''s bitch of recent times, being swept last season. As current playoff standings go, they'll also be a first round opponent, so this game has a bit of extra meaning to it.[/list] <ul>[*]Match-up wise, the Supes go alright against the Rockets. While Luke Ridnour will have his hands fill with an in-form Mike James, Ray Allen should be able to take advantage of a size advantage on David Wesley. Rashard Lewis and Reggie Evans can hold their own against T-Mac and the lesser of two J-Ho's, while despite Yao Ming going for 30 last time these teams met, Jerome James has hit some real form since then. As per usual, the bench advantage favours Seattle on paper.[/list] * Useful/less stat of the day: Currently, both the Sonics and Rockets are 0-0 in games played on March 8th, 2005, so neither team has a big advantage coming in.. * Word of the Day: Clerihew; n: A form of whimsically biographical comic verse. "When Casanova Swift retires a zillionaire, he can write his clerihews simply for the love of literature." Random Family Guy Quote Peter: Have they ever shown him doing somebody in and then feeding on him? Brian: You're asking if they've ever done a Sesame Street in which the Count kills somebody and then sucks their blood for sustenance. Peter: Yeah. Brian: No, they've never done that All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Luke Ridnour has his hands full w/ the underrated Mike James. The Duquesne University product is one of the quicker guards in the league. I wonder at any point will Nate decide to cut Ridnour's minutes if he continues to play as inconsistent as he has. I'm very confident that we will pull this game out. We've historically had success against the Rockets and they really aren't able to go small and be effective. Last time we played them Yao Ming got off. Pot will probably get some time tonight and hopefully be able to be physical enough w/ Yao that he will wear down by the end of the game. Due to the sporadic play and poor shooting of Ray Allen of late, I'm hoping that Duane Casey can get into the ear of his boss and convince him that there is some available relief that has been waiting patiently. I hope that he reminds Nate that this relief may even be more effective than the relieved.
You're spot on Shiek, we all know Swifty is just as capable at the two as he is at the five, it's just a matter of giving him his chance there. He could post up David Wesley.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">You're spot on Shiek, we all know Swifty is just as capable at the two as he is at the five, it's just a matter of giving him his chance there. He could post up David Wesley.</div> Not so sure about that. Wesley has become a great defender since being traded to Houston and his defense has helped suffocate Jerry Stackhouse to 4-17 shooting just last Sunday. If a 6-6 Stack posted Wesley up and failed to succeed, I don't think the 7=0 charmer of Swift would stand a chance.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't think the 7=0 charmer of Swift would stand a chance. </div> Apparently you haven't seen Casanova's killer crossover...similar to Tim Hardaway but in the midst of the move he winks at the opposing dance team. On the game, if we can control T-Mac and co. like we did in the last game versus Houston we should be fine. JJ has been playing well so Yao under 30 would just strengthen the cause. I expect us to win this...another bounce back win.
We'll see how we bounce back from the poor shooting against Phoenix, similar to Indiana after the Milwaukee game. Like IS, I too am getting a bit weary of Ray Allen's inconsistent play. Frankly speaking if he's not shooting well he's a turnover waiting to happen and a defensive liability. I love it when he gets warm, though. I don't know what kind of road team Houston is but I hope they come out in a funk, lethargic and mentally not ready to play. All will be well if our shooters return to form.
Ever since Ray Allen told the P-I that his time was the 4th quarter he hasn't been able to produce in any other quarter. Just something wierd that I've noticed.
Seems like Seattle's shot is on tonight. 5-5 from three to start the game, leading 28-16. We haven't seen our heartthrob step to the floor yet, though.
A franchise low for points in a quarter, and we still had chances to win or force OT at the end. Got nothing from the bench though, and wasted a great game from Luke.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently you haven't seen Casanova's killer crossover...similar to Tim Hardaway but in the midst of the move he winks at the opposing dance team.</div> This is one time where Supersonic's old saying "Classic." wouldn't be misused. I can just imagine him on the opposite end of the court as the dance team, and he turns around in the middle of the crossover to wink while his opponent falls on his face.
I saw none of the game, thankfully, but 6pts in a quarter is an absolute embarrassment for an NBA team and downright disgusting for a team with 2 All-Stars. Houston is a *good* defensive team but it's not like they had Jordan, Pippen and Rodman out there dogging our guys all over the court. I mean you should get 6 by accidentally getting fouled or even flinging yourself at your defender hoping for a cheap call from the refs.
Was Antonio Daniels still hurting in the second half? Sonics got zero production out of him, which was unexpected.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post"> Houston is a *good* defensive team but it's not like they had Jordan, Pippen and Rodman out there dogging our guys all over the court.</div> Van Gundy is very good at making defensive adjustments at half-time, and the Rockets simply implemented the plan to perfection in the third quarter. It was phenomenal team defense, but the Rockets also have 3 exceptional on-the-ball defenders in David Wesley, Mike James (an integral part of last year's Detroit championship team), and Tracy McGrady. We prevented transition baskets, prevented offensive boards, and in the half-court set Seattle can sometimes rely too much on the two-man game and that just doesn't work well against the Rockets defense.
I don't mean to denegrate Houston's defensive aptitude, Van Gundy can certainly coach defense based on his record and it looks like Houston has some good on the ball defenders as you mention (although they aren't Jordan, Pippen and Rodman ) But all things considered (tough one on one defenders, limiting 2nd shots and taking away first option), a team should be able to score more than 6 pts in a quarter, certainly one with 2 All-Stars known for their offense and not much else. I mean shutting a team down in the NBA is like a 15pt quarter.
