Sixth Game of the Playoff Series: Dallas @ Houston <div align="center"> Dallas Mavericks VS Houston Rockets </div> Position-by-Position Analysis <u>Center to Small Forward By Aznxballer</u> C- Yao Ming vs Erick Dampier- This is a pretty crucial matchup here. Very different players here, Yao plays through jumpers and finesse while Dampier plays more physically and bodying. However, Houston's fate in the playoffs depends on this matchup. Yao Ming needs to really step it up and bring down rebounds and points. First off, since Dallas makes a lot of their shots, its very important to grab the ones that they don't. Between these two guys, Yao has more capabilities of scoring than Dampier- but has to score as well. He has the obvious height advantage over Dampier as well as a bigger offensive arensal. Question is, can Yao step it up for the playoffs and bring his A game? Houston Advantage PF- Ryan Bowen vs Dirk Nowitzki- Definitely not a matchup of the century. Here we've got Dallas' best player against Houston's weakest position. However, thats not really the point here. We already know that combined, all the power forwards on Houston probably can't outscore Dirk on a given night, so the key here would be for Bowen to contain Dirk's scoring. Bowen's got the height, speed, and hustle to do it, so the question is if he can keep up with Dirk and draw double teams away from McGrady. If Bowen gets open shots, he needs to take it to make Dallas think twice about doubling McGrady. Meanwhile, Dirk will probably have his usual game on- hitting the threes, scoring inside, and giving Houston a world of troubles. Dallas Advantage SF- Tracy McGrady vs Josh Howard- This matchup hopefully will even things out with the whole Dirk thing going on. Basically, Dallas is sticking their best defender on McGrady and trying to contain the game that he brings. On any given night, McGrady can light up the crowd and will the team to victory. Plus, he has a huge arsenal of offensive weapons at his disposal- the one on one game, the long range, the inside, and the midrange. Which is like the entire court. Don't underestimate Josh Howard however, if he stays aggressive, he can put up around twelve points a night and grab a decent amount of boards. However, the just doesn't equal McGrady. Houston Advantage <u>Shooting Guard to 6th Man by magnomonkey</u> VS. SG- David Wesley/Michael Finley Key matchup here, Finley still hasn't lost that explosiveness he once had, and Wesley is a deadly spot up shooter. Shooting-wise, both are basically even, but Finley's ability to score in the oddest situations, whether he is tripled, or throws up a random shot, seperates the two. If Wesley can just hit his shots, this matchup shouldn't be as uneven as it could be, but by going by pure talent and stats, Finley wins this. Advantage: Dallas VS. PG- Bob Sura/Jason Terry These two are very streaky players. Both can go off for 30, or give you 7 a game. But both have the ability to keep their team in the game. Whatever defense you throw at him, Terry can will his way into scoring points. Sura can will anything into happening, battling back from surgery and asserting himself in our offense well. Terry is to big of an offensive threat to be left alone, so do not expect Sura to be doubling Dirk. This is a tough one to call, so I'll say it even, but Terry has a bigger advantage on the offensive end. Advantage: Even VS. Sixth Man- Mike James/Jerry Stackhouse A Former Superstar in Stackhouse, versus an experienced, talented role-player who won a ring last year with Detroit in James. Most people would pick Stack' in this matchup, but they shouldn't be playing each other straight up consistently. James is just as explosive as Stackhouse, and his defense is rated higher. If the Rockets take out Stackhouse in this series, they have a HUGE chance to win it, that being said, Dallas should have a really hard time taking James out of the series. Like Terry, he can find a way to score. Advantage: Even <u>Keys to the game by Trip</u> Threes - The Rockets attempt quite a few three pointers every night. With great perimeter shooters like David Wesley, Jon Barry and Mike James on the roster, it should be deemed reasonable that the Rockets live and die by the three at times. If Houston wants to win on Saturday, they'll have to make their three point attempts. Yao/Mac Produce - Like a lot of teams that rely on stars to pull them over the hill, the Rockets' success each night depends on the MacMing combo. Both players will have physical defenders on them, so they would have to be smart and not get stupid offensive fouls. McGrady would have to make his shots and Yao would have to do a good job getting offensive rebounds and scoring in the post. Keep rest of Dallas in check - Houston will most likely feature Ryan Bowen, Scott Padgett and Clarence Weatherspoon in an effort to stop Dirk Nowitzki, he the same superstar who scored 53 points on the Rockets in December. The team will have to face this bleak reality: Nowitzki will score at least 30 on you. Thus, it is very important to make sure no one else on the Dallas roster scores too much. Keep everyone else from putting up big stats; Dirk can't win games by himself. <u>Keys to the game by Dan for Mavericks</u> Stop T-Mac - In the last meeting Tracy Mcgrady scored 34 points to lead the game in scoring, that needs to change, the Rockets have a very good win record whenever Tracy scores over 30 points, they'll have to rethink their defence and try to come up with a way of retaining him or at least holding him to just over 20 points because as it seems whne he has a good game, everything changes, the confidence, the defence, and this isn't just by him, it's by the whole Houston team! Draw Fouls - They're going to have to get to the rim, try and draw the foul to get them 2 easy shots, in the last game Yao Ming only played 20 minutes of the game before being fouled out, he had only scored 11 points and only grabbed 8 rebounds, Ryan Bowen was also fouled off after 31 minutes of play, although on offense he wasn't too flash he played great defence on Dirk, but couldn't stay out of foul trouble. Dirk had 13 free throws and 11 points from free throws alone, if they can get Yao into foul trouble and maybe even T-Mac they'll obviously have a huge advantage, but easier said then done. Shooting - I don't know if I can be any more straight foward here, this is the same as any game for any team but is really a key to the Mavericks success, they will have to find a way for Dirk to score, although the Rockets did a great job on guarding him, he should find another way to get the ball in the basket, another player who didn't shoot too well is Michael Finley he only scored 5 points on 2/8 shooting and he's another one of their key players, it may of been the defense that stopped him, it may of been that he was just in a slump, but he has got to get out of it, Jerry Stackhouse had 14 points but was also 4/13 from the field which is far from impressive, this all had to change, but Jason Terry did have a good shooting night and Josh Howard got the points on the board before being fouled out too. Rebounds - The Dallas Mavericks really have to take advantage of this on the offensive and defensive end, they should have a big advantage in this, the Rockets only above average rebounders are Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo, where as the Mavericks have Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier and even Keith Van Horn, in Game 1 the Mavericks only had 5 more rebounds, which is still good, but if they want a really big advantage they'll have to fight for every single rebound, be agressive about it to stop a second chance basket or to create one for themselves. Dan's Prediction Well it?s obvious we aren?t where we want to be, with Dallas on a 3 game win streak and the refs hating us, I can?t see us pulling through with the win, but then again maybe the refs saw the tape of their poor officiating and decide to even it up, that or we outplay the Mavericks and beat them with fair officiating. I think we really need to find a way for Yao to get more touches; he?s been shooting over 60% in the playoffs hasn?t he? I also think he should stay away from Dirk until maybe the last quarter, because if you?re within an arms reach of Dirk and he falls back he?ll get the call, and if you have a player of Yao?s caliber and shooting at over 60% a game (As I mentioned before) it really hurts our chances. That?s all I can really say on the game? Houston - 98 Mavericks - 102 AznxBaller's Prediction This will definitely be a very interesting game. However, I expect Houston to come out strong. If they don't do it now, they won't get another chance. Although our guys may be tired, they have a lot of heart and know what is on the line for tonight. McGrady and Yao both know how big this game is for Houston and will undoubtly come up with big nights. They have the potential in them, they just have to let it all out. However, the role players need to step it up as well. Our two stars won't be able to do it alone and obviously Dallas will be trying to exploit that like they've had the past three games. I'm hoping the crowd will be louder than ever- knowing whats on the line and the Van Gundy drama. Win or lose, this has been an exciting series. May the better team win tonight. No prediction for tonight.
I have a good feeling we can win this game. They will all come out loose but still fired up. I'll take Houston by 6..
With two days off and after a subpar game 5, I expect TMac to play HUGE tonight, somewhere along the lines of 40 points...And with all the JVG talk and controversy, I expect our fans to show up as well, and I think we'll be playing on energy and adrenaline...I think the Rockets pull this one out, and I actually think they'll win it by 7-10 points...We need Padgett, Weskley and Barry to hit big 3s, and James needs to be the spark that he's been in game 1 and game 5...Control the 3s by Dallas, dont foul and control the defensive boards, and we're heading back to Dallas...
1) If Yao stay on the floor and score in the paint over 25 points, then Houston wins. 2) If Nowitzki takes the ball to the hole or posts up his defender effectively, then Dallas wins. McGrady will be his usual great self. Terry/Finley/Stackhouse will get their points too. BUT this game will ultimately hinge on the performance of Yao and Nowitzki. If 1 and 2 both happen, then this game will be no more than a 1 point game. Otherwise, the winner will win by double-digits.
No the D's will be to much for Houston. Defense- Our defense has been great, not on the people you think. We are letting T-mac get his but we're making sure no one else gets theirs. Dampier- If Damp doesnt get those cheap fouls that he got, than we can really dominate with his inside defense and then our switch to the Nellie Ball. Dish- Extra passes are the trend that we are using very well, and that's how our bench, is able to get off. Daniels- He's been very good in the amount of time he's getting with Van Horn injured, posting up the smaller defenders and dishing the ball out to Finley, Stack and who ever's out their. Howard- Doesnt start with a D but he's been playing like an All-Star, thank you every team in the league for passing him up. and finally... Dirk- We need a good game from him because he could basically stop McGrady with his offense, he'll have to much on his shoulder's if Dirk is aggressive enough. Dallas- 104 Houston- 93 <font color="DarkRed">(edited: baiting)</font>
I predict another very close game, though frankly I'm tired of them and just want the Rockets to win in a blowout. Any loss would be a huge dissapointment, but I hope the Rockets give a good effort either way. McGrady and Nowitzki will be huge. The big factors for me are: - Yao's foul trouble - Mavs perimeter shooting (Terry and Finley!) and penetration - Big games from the Rocket's role players - Officiating (always a concern, but particularly in this series)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd edit that, if I were you. Unnecessary. </div> I agree.. If I wanted to crap on another team in their own forums.. I would go to the espn boards (where I left to get away from Rockets fans also). Be more like kingrex.. As a Dallas fan... at least he is level headed and has real opinions without bashing.
What are you talkin' about? I can NOT cuss if I want to. This is free speech if I DONT cuss, then you'll just have to listen to my NOT cussing. Why must my NOT cussing have to be censored. I like this forum but that's about as close to bashing that your gonna get with me. This is the playoffs, we gotta let some of this NOT wrong doing go. Kingrex is a great mavs fan i think i've seen him on the Dallas-Mavs site, but if every Dallas fan was like that then we'd have a boring personality for Dallas fans. Go Mavs
You can curse anytime you like till you death in your own team's forum.. not in ours. Have you ever learn the word "manner"?
Even if dallas wins, they have no chance what so ever against the suns so dont get too happy. I think the rockets will take this one and get back in this series. 104-97
I just wanted to wish you guys a good time watching this game tonight. Whoever wins this game, it has been an exciting series. May the better team win.
The most intersting thing to me in this game is not going to be on the court but in the stands. Im curious to see how the crowd will respond after all the JVG drama. Will they be louder? Will they boo the Mavs more? Will they start any intersting chants?
This will definitely be a very interesting game. However, I expect Houston to come out strong. If they don't do it now, they won't get another chance. Although our guys may be tired, they have a lot of heart and know what is on the line for tonight. McGrady and Yao both know how big this game is for Houston and will undoubtly come up with big nights. They have the potential in them, they just have to let it all out. However, the role players need to step it up as well. Our two stars won't be able to do it alone and obviously Dallas will be trying to exploit that like they've had the past three games. I'm hoping the crowd will be louder than ever- knowing whats on the line and the Van Gundy drama. Win or lose, this has been an exciting series. May the better team win tonight. No prediction.
I wonder, if the Rockets do eventually win the championship (I know, a long shot), what will the crowd's reaction be to David Stern when he presents the trophy? Funny to think about.
i expect us to come out with hunger and fire , but they usualy do a pretty good job during 1-3 quarters and collapse in 4th, so that is my concern,
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder, if the Rockets do eventually win the championship (I know, a long shot), what will the crowd's reaction be to David Stern when he presents the trophy? Funny to think about.</div> Hahaha. That would be one of the most awkward moments ever when he shakes Van Gundy's hand or something. Extreme longshot though considering we're on the border of elimination.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-Baller:</div><div class="quote_post">i expect us to come out with hunger and fire , but they usualy do a pretty good job during 1-3 quarters and collapse in 4th, so that is my concern,</div> Yep we're owned. Chokecity is born? HOpe not
it's a battle of the sixth man right now in the 2nd quarter. Stackhouse is ubelieveably hot from the field tonight
How about that performance by T-Mac in the second quarter? He shuts down two different players (Nowitzki and Stackhouse), zips passes into the lane like he's Magic, drives and dunks in traffic like he's Jordan, and hits clutch three pointers with guys all over him like he's Bird. Amazing. With a performance like that, we just have to win this game. Lets go Rockets!
