GAME: Houston Rockets(35-26) vs. Dallas Mavericks(39-22) LOCATION: Toyota Center, Houston TIME: 12PM PROBABLE STARTERS SF Jim Jackson/Dirk Nowitzki PF Kelvin Cato/Antoine Walker C Yao Ming/Scott Williams PG Steve Francis/Steve Nash SG Cuttino Mobley/Michael Finley TEAM LEADERS Rockets: Yao Ming-17.3 points per game Yao Ming-8.7 rebounds per game Steve Francis-6.0 assists per game Spurs: Dirk Nowitzki-21.3 points per game Dirk Nowitzki-8.7 rebounds per game Steve Nash-8.4 assists per game KEYS TO THE GAME <u>Rockets</u> 1: Yao And Steve Keep Their Hot Hands-Winning a tough game against the Midwest-leading T-Wolves must have been a huge morale boost for the Rockets.More importantly for the Rockets, their top players, Yao Ming and Steve Francis, have had the hot hands. Yao has had two huge games against the Lakers and the Wolves, while Francis got out of his recent slump with a great 25-point effort against the Wolves. If these two superstars can shoot as well as they have been shooting, this might be a romp for Houston. 2:Help Jackson and Cato Out On D-Mavericks have a very big frontcourt rotation in Dirk Nowitzki, Antoine Walker and the versatile sixth man, Antwan Jamison. The Rockets' forwards, Jim Jackson, Kelvin Cato and Mo Taylor will have a tough task on hand. The other Rockets players have to help on defense to prevent the Mavericks from scoring at will over their smaller defenders. 3:Kill The Mavs' Defense-Dallas has never been a good defensive team under Don Nelson, and the Rockets have to make use of that handicap tonight. The Mavericks are also a shaky 11-18 on the road and the Rockets have to get going early, take a big lead, and coast along. <u>Blazers</u> 1:Dirk Gets Hot-Dirk Nowitzki is vital to Dallas's success and the Mavericks have to get their star the shots and opportunities early. When Nowitzki is playing like the star he is, he will be unstoppable. This is something that the Mavericks do every game and Dirk will be depended upon to win more than ever. 2:Pound The Boards-The Mavericks are not a good rebounding team and they have to crash the boards against the big Rockets' players. Don Nelson is all about gang rebounding and that must be taken literally in this game. The Mavericks post players have to get offensive rebounds and gang up on Yao Ming. 3:Bench Players Contribute-The Mavericks have a strong bench and that gives them an advantage over Houston. Don Nelson will need his high-scoring bench to garner 25+ points against the Rockets. If they do, the chances of beating Houston will be much higher. If not, look for the Dallas team to go crashing. GAME OUTLOOK The Texas triangle trauma comes into effect in this game for the Rockets. They will have to try hard to beat the Mavericks and come out on top tonight. Jeff Van Gundy's defense has got to shut the high-octane Dallas offense. I think that the Rockets will win and Yao Ming will get his first win against the Mavericks. Watch history unfold. GAME PREDICTION Rockets-103 Mavericks-94
Lets be frank, in the past the Rockets always seem to play terrible against the Mavericks. However today, I think they can change history and actually beat them if they execute their game plan right. The key to tonights game has to be Yao Ming. He is coming off two great games against the Lakers and the Wolves. If he can get involved early and stay involved he has a good chance completely dominating this game. If he is a no-show tonight, we will not win. It is as simple as that. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley need to bring their "A" game today along with Yao. The Mavericks score in the 100's every game, it is imperative that these two help out Yao with the scoring. Defense is another crucial element in the Rockets success. They must limit the Mavericks transition game and force them to play a half court game. If the game turns into a full court game the Rockets won't win. Here are my key's to the game: 1. Yao must be a factor for 48 minutes 2. Francis, Mobley, Jackson, Taylor all must contribute on the offensive end 3. Control the tempo 4. Limit the Mavericks to one shot - Control the boards If the Rockets do what I listed above, they have a good chance of winning this game. I hope history doesn't repeat itself today.
Great preview....and yeh, the Mavs seem to be someone the Rockets just cant figure out...any team that fast breaks and has a great transition game gives the Rockets problems...unfortunately, I think Dallas pulls this one out 105-102, but I do expect Yao to have a huge game...
I think the Rockets will pull this one out, Yao Ming should dominate down low, Steve Francis needs to look for him, Jim Jackson is the key though I think in this game, if he can hit his shots, they should win this game.
Still a close game with 7 minutes to go, this one'll go down to the wire. I get nervous in situations like this because in the clutch moments, we never step up. We need to stop the turnovers. 26 already, simply ugly.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post"> We need to stop the turnovers. 26 already, simply ugly.</div> Yeah, they need to stop passing the ball to Yao for a while.
Rockets win. Rockets win. Rockets win! Yao Ming had another fantastic game with 29 points and 10 rebounds. We held it together in the final minutes and just like at Minnesota, came up with a win.
What a terrific game for the Rockets to win! Franchise, Mobley and Yao Ming played a well game to have a 101 to 98 victory for the Rockets. I personally think that The power dancers helped them a lot! lol I'm joking.
Wow whata miracle win!!!! Dirk had 9 steals while the mavs had a total of 20 steals..hahaha..JVG will have a long talk with his players abt this! Yao was rock's MVP without a doubt; and without him, I don't think we wouold have won the game!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting deestillballin:</div><div class="quote_post">Stupid call be the ref Lane violation my behind.</div> That was the only mistake the refs had on the Mavs, look at the Rockets side. Nash initiated the contact by kicking out on the three. In the end we got the W.
Yao might actually be turning into a legitimate problem for the league. The thing that is impressing me the most about Ming during this stretch of good games for him, is his back to the basket game in the low post. He isnt wondering around the free throw line taking those 15 foot jumpers. He is setting up alot lower in the block, if he continues to set up deep in the post he will be a legitimate problem.
He has improved by leaps and bounds over this season. Last season, he was showing an unwillingness to go into to the low post and demand the ball. This season he is. He's calling for the ball, fighting in the post night in night out, and has developed a power game. He has become a mixture of finesse and power. The NBA is his for the taking if he continues to play like he is during this 3-game stretch.
We have to give props to Van Gundy too!!! Look how he transformed a team that never made it to the play-offs for four straight years! Look at how the rockets have become a better team in all categories compared to the past!!! In just a year!!! Even if we win nothing again this year, for the first time in 5 years I've felt that we've progressed as a team! Other teams fear us these days..Remember that the grizzlies got their momentum when they luckily beat us!
Congrats to Yao on his first win over the Mavericks. Back to back wins over two elite teams? impressive. Should of been three had Kobe not come up in the clutch in mid-week. I think you guys need to make a "praise Jim Jackson thread" looked to me as he has won you a lot of games this season.
