<div align="center"> (4) <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> (5) <span style="font-family:Arial Black"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Series Tied 2-2</span></span> April 30, 2007 - 8:00 pm ET <span style="color:#FF0000">Game on TNT</span></div> <span style="color:#6666CC">Utah Jazz</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">(2-2)</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">PG</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Deron Williams</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">SG</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Derek Fisher</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">SF</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Andrei Kirilenko</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">PF</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Carlos Boozer</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">C</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Mehmet Okur</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Matt Harpring, Gordan Giricek, Paul Millsap, Jarron Collins</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Houston Rockets</span> <span style="color:#000000">(2-2)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Rafer Alston</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Shane Battier</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Chuck Hayes</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Yao Ming</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Juwan Howard, Luther Head, Dikembe Mutombo, Kirk Snyder</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">HOU:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Bonzi Wells is not with the team</span> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#6666CC">Carlos Boozer</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">Series Stats: 22.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.0 apg</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Deron Williams</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">Series Stats: 16.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 7.8 apg, 1.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Mehmet Okur</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">Series Stats: 8.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg, 2.3 bpg</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Tracy McGrady</span> <span style="color:#000000">Series Stats: 24.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Yao Ming</span> <span style="color:#000000">Series Stats: 25.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Shane Battier</span> <span style="color:#000000">Series Stats: 9.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg</span> <span style="color:#6666CC">Utah's Keys to the Game</span> <span style="color:#3366FF">- Kirilenko has to show up, period. - Okur needs to make sure he knocks down his outside shots. - Make Yao work on both ends of the floor. - Help defense. - Take advantage of the size mismatches (in Utah's favor). - Attack and make sure the easy opportunities don't turn into blown opportunities.</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Houston's Keys to the Game</span> <span style="color:#000000">- Make sure the defense is in sync like it has been all year. - Play inside-outside, don't go to either T-Mac or Yao too often. Move it around, make the defense think. - Rebound! Utah is a good rebounding team, Houston needs to make sure they control the glass. - Somebody off the bench needs to have a big impact. - Take advantage of the home court and momentum.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#6666CC">Carlos Boozer</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Yao Ming</span></div> CelticBalla's Prediction I don't see Houston losing 3 in a row.
If Houston loses this game I'll put a bullet in my head on the spot. The past 2 games have been an absolute disgrace.
This game is basically the series, whoever wins it will win the series. if Houston takes it than I think they'll probably win the series in 7, if Utah takes it they'll close out the series in six at home.
T-Mac is hurt...the absolute worst thing that could happen to the Rockets. Luckily, it looked like he banged his side, not his back, so I'm hoping he will be back.Rockets need to play under control. Having something like 7 TO's in first quarte ris embaressing, as is letting the Jazz shoot 20% better than them.EDIT: T-mac is back, but Rockets still sucking. 30% shooting, and about 8 TO's through the first 15min. This reminds me of game 1....too much forcing to Yao. Let T-Mac take over, and stop running him through 20,000 screens. Also, the shooters can't get out of their comfort zone. They keep putting the ball on the floor after a T-Mac pass, and it's killing too much time off the clock.
Jazz let the Rockets back in, now Houstons only down 1 at the half. this has been a problem for the Jazz all season, no killer instincts they just let people come back.
Good comeback by the Rockets, and defense is starting to play a bit better. But if the Rocket want to win, they have to continue to play at this faster pace, and have to continue to bother the likes of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. if they can somehow get Jazz to shooting 43% or so, it's Houston's game.
Wow the second half has been so sick...I love the way both teams are playinAK47 is really starting to get into a groove..TMac and Battier too
SICK dunk by T-Mac! That extension was amazing.T-Mac is coming alive, has like 13 assists already through around 28min of play. Defense on Boozer from Yao has to improve, though...he is getting raped.EDIT: Terrible calls from refs, bad fouls by Houston, terrible defense...but only down by 4 going into 4th quarter. T-Mac needs to continue this streak for Houston to win.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Apr 30 2007, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>T-Mac needs to continue this streak for Houston to win.</div> Your wish is T-Mac's command. I didn't get to catch the beginning of the game, I got in with about 3 minutes left in the 2nd, so I still saw the majority of the game. T-Mac was phenomenal from what I saw, he was just dominant offensively. Making great kickouts, taking it to the basket, cutting and moving well without the ball, finding his open teammates, and bringing a ton of energy. Luther Head also did an excellent job off the bench in the 2nd half, it's good to FINALLY see him knock down some shots. Shane Battier was great, he was simply on fire from deep. Yao didn't look like he was having his best night, but he came up big in the clutch with that bucket in deep then a few big free throws. For Utah, Boozer was great offensively (once again), but WTF is up with Okur? W...T...F is up with him? Not only is he not making shots, he wasn't TAKING shots tonight. If Utah wants to come back and win this series, Okur has to return to his All-Star caliber form. I'm very happy Houston won this game, I really hope they can stay strong and win this series. Winning Game 6 in Utah will be tough, but it is doable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Apr 30 2007, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Your wish is T-Mac's command.</div> :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: T-Mac was amazing (except for airballing the open 3 haha). He was scoring, being VERY agressive to rim, hitting a few jumpers, creating all of the plays for everyone, and had that NASTY dunk in the 3rd.For the next 2 games (assuming it reaches game 7), Houston needs to play with energy the whole game. T-Mac needs to continue to go to rim, Yao needs to turn it over less and avoid being blocked so much by AK-47, and the role players need to step up again. And in Utah, where the energy will be in their favor, Rockets need to do 1 more thing....SLOW DOWN BOOZER!!!!!!! The way he just dominated Yao made me sick. Unfortunately everyone on Utah is a mismatch for Yao, so there is no chance of him guarding anyone else (Okur going off is the LAST thing they need). So, great team defense on Boozer, like in game 1, will be necassary.I was very happy with the win...easily the most exciting game of all the playoffs so far.
