<div align="center"> <font color="red">Rockets (14-7)</font> vs <font color=""darkblue"">Warriors (11-11)</font> Thursday, December 14, 2006 @ Goldenstate's Arena 9:30 Central; FSNSW, SportsRadio 610 AM </div> [div=50%] <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, T. McGrady, S. Battier, M. Yao, C. Hayes)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Yao Ming - 25.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 9.2 RPG Assists Leader: Tracy McGrady - 6.3 APG Steals Leader: Rafer Alston - 1.4 SPG</font></div> [/div] <div align="center"><font color=""darkblue""> <font size="1">(M. Ellis, B. Davis, M. Pietrus, A. Biedrins, T. Murphy)</font></font> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Baron Davis - 19.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Andris Biedrins - 9.7 RPG Assists Leader: Baron Davis - 8.4 APG Steals Leader: Monta Ellis - 1.3 SPG</font> </div> [div=50%] <div align="center"> <font size=""1""><font color="red">Luther Head (6th Man)</font></font></div> <font size=""2""><div align="center">25.3 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG</div></font> [/div] <div align="center"> <font size=""1""><font color=""darkblue"">Mike Dunleavy(6th Man)</font></font> <font size=""2"">27.2 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.2 APG</font> </div> <font size="3">Keys to the Game:</font><ul> [*]<font color="red">Close out the game</font> - The Rockets have had problems retaining leads late in games on more than a few occassions early in the season. And Goldenstate is the kind of team that's capable of mounting a comeback late in games especially with Baron Davis. The difference is Goldenstate's defense isn't at the same level as San Antonio or Chicago this season, so it's hard to imagine the Rockets having the same sort of offensive collapse as they did in those two games. But Goldenstate remains a potent offensive team, and while Davis has struggled from 3-point land early on (only 30.0%), he can still single handedly bring a team back. [*]<font color="red">Limit Turnovers</font> - The Rockets average 16.1 turnovers per game. Many of them are caused by petty mistakes such as carrying the ball, traveling, and stepping out of bounds. They need to be careful with the ball-but not too careful, because they still need to work the ball around in order to have a smooth offense running. They also need to stay focused on both offense and defense. It's amazing how fast a nice lead can disappear for the Rockets. [*]<font color=""blue"">Attack Yao</font> - The most effective way to limit Yao Ming is to get him out of the game as soon as possible. Goldenstate has a number of quick guards they can throw at Yao. Monta Ellis, Baron Davis, and Anthony Roberson are all good at penetrating so they need to be active this game. If the Warriors can attack Yao, create the contact and get some fouls called on him early, they will find defending the Rockets much easier on the defensive end. [*]<font color=""blue"">Push The Tempo</font> - If Goldenstate can get a fast paced game going, they can mess up the Rockets offense. This will hurt Yao especially, causing him to be too tired to stay in. The earlier they can do this, the better. If the Warriors play up-tempo right from the beginning, this should put the Rockets down by a big margin early. [/list] <div align="center"></div> The Warriors don't want to go under the 500 and The Rockets don't want to lose 2 games in a row. The Rockets beat Baron at home, but will Baron allow it to be so easy this time at his house? With or without T-Mac, the Rockets win by 9+
Nice preview. So Tmac is 100% playing right? and also this will be an exciting game to watch since Bonzi is gonna play. Wow, I really want Rafer out of the lineup for today's game. Check this lineup: PG: Tmac SG: Bonzi SF: Battier PF: Hayes C: Yao Ming
<div class="quote_poster">Umair Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nice preview. So Tmac is 100% playing right? and also this will be an exciting game to watch since Bonzi is gonna play. Wow, I really want Rafer out of the lineup for today's game. Check this lineup: PG: Tmac SG: Bonzi SF: Battier PF: Hayes C: Yao Ming</div> Well, we never know with JVG. Theres a strong possibility that Bonzi won't play jus cuz the coach didn't want him too.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, we never know with JVG. Theres a strong possibility that Bonzi won't play jus cuz the coach didn't want him too.</div> I don't get it. Does JVG know Bonzi is capable of being a great player who works hard and does the dirty work down low (post up and rebound.) It seems like he just doesn't want him on our team.
igot2sk8board, probably because Bonzi was an ass over offseason and preseason. Nice preview though. Personally I think the Rockets can take this if they don't make too many mistakes. The Warriors really have no answer for Yao, while we have a pretty nice defender in Battier to take Davis (He can guard the one I think). The Warriors really have little defensive or offensive low post presence, so the Rockets should be looking to drive it inside a lot. Also, pretty much what they have to watch out for is Ellis lighting us up, because other than him and Davis, the Warriors don't really have a consistent offensive threat.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, we never know with JVG. Theres a strong possibility that Bonzi won't play jus cuz the coach didn't want him too.</div> IMO, thats what this whole Bonzi thing is all about. Him being "out of shape" is like 10% of the issue. The conflict between the two are the other 90% of why Bonzi isnt playing. Wells made to many "excuses" if thats what you would call it (who knows); any way people see it, is just speculation. JVG is too subborn to play Bonzi, even in the position we are in. I think, right now, with Synder down, and T-mac not 100%, Bonzi should play a bigger role. He has a nose for the ball and will get rebounds. He can score too. If we had any other coach, Bonzi would be playing now regardless of all the events that had happened sinced he arrived. I think its time for a to start fresh, forget about the past and see what Bonzi can do in long strides of time. Either that or trade Bonzi...no use letting him rot on the bench....
I think Head's going to start this game and play big minutes. I'm not sure TMac will play. Lucas might get a lot of PT against the small lineup. As for Bonzi, he might even play some PF against the small GS lineup.
I hope this game goes into triple overtime so the Rockets will be dead tired against the Lakers tomorrow night.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I hope this game goes into triple overtime so the Rockets will be dead tired against the Lakers tomorrow night.</div> It ain't happening. No way,we gonna roll over the lakers tomorrow. Revenge!
Good to see Bonzi back and gettin some mins. I have to admit tho, Juwan is playin terrible! Looks timid and unsure of himself, GET IT TOGETHER!
sigh, now we had a 2 lose streak in the roadtrip.Let's c how the team would handle this situation if Tmac couldn't come back. Guess yao should take more to carry rockets, not like today,we al never get a better standing in western if he couldn't hit more clutch shots. There were forur or five consective chances in the 4 th quarter when we desperately need him score bt just missed. What was bonzi doing at that moment? He had a low-post ability and it was just the righteous time for him to show
one more thing , rockets had too many TOs in this match, around 23 or whatever, it's awful just watching GS taking that adavantage over us.Considering lakers being a tougher team in def ,we even don't stand a chance to win tomorrow bf improving ourselves
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I hope this game goes into triple overtime so the Rockets will be dead tired against the Lakers tomorrow night.</div> The Lakers stole one at our house, I expect the Rockets to return the favor. Is T-Mac sitting out just to get Bonzi back in game shape?
