<div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets (25-16)</font> at <font color="black">Spurs (30-13)</font> Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 SBC Center, San Antonio 8:00 CT; ESPN </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Tim Duncan)</font></font></div> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady Shane Battier, Dikembe Mutombo, Juwan Howard) </font></font></div> <font size="3">Game Analysis</font> Losers of three straight games, the Rockets enter San Antonio in a very tough matchup. After beating the Spurs on their homecourt for the first time in years last month, the Rockets are now without Yao Ming, and although Tracy McGrady is firing on all cylinders, the team has sorely lacked an inside presence. Up against Tim Duncan tonight, the Rockets will have to worry. Another thing to worry about is TMac. With his penchant for injuries to the back, Rockets fans need to pray that his back can hold the whole game. Also, he's against Bruce Bowen, whose track record consists of taking down Steve Francis and Vince Carter. If Bowen does anything dirty against McGrady tonight, Rockets fans call for his head, and this game will be lost. Stopping the penetration of guards Ginobili and Parker will also be key, and while Houston will always have a chance of winning with McGrady in the lineup, it'll be hard for the Rockets to prevail tonight. Spurs: W, Rockets: L
comon locke.. Your giving the spurs the edge in this one.. You have to believe after so many bad defensive games.. this game will be one of the crucial defensive games because its not gonna stay for long just like t-mac and JVG said.. anyway, I think rockets will win.. because 3 - straight losses is something JVG and T-Mac start to play intesively... Great game on ESPN
I'm sorry guys....I'm just disappointed in the lack of offensive diversity by the Rockets. Even tho we're down by only one at halftime, heres a few things I've noticed: -JVG has once again put the pressure on Tmac to do 100% of the playmaking for the Rockets. -Bonzi has played. But didn't recieve the ball once in the post once Tmac came back in. Just because Tmac's in the game doesn't mean he has to take ALL the shots. Let's see some ball movement! -The Rockets are relying to heavily on the picknroll. If you noticed we're not calling any plays, just pick n' roll everytime down court. I'd love to see some backscreens and cutting to the baskets. I'm happy we're still in the game. But it's important that we show some life offensivley. Theres gotta be more plays than Tmac pick n' roll at the top of the key. Maybe it'll change in the 2nd half. Go Rockets!
Did you also notice that Bonzi was a black hole everytime he touched the ball in the post? Never once did I see him pass it out. What stood out the most was when he badly missed a shot, got the rebound tapped back to him, then proceeded to take a few dribbles and then throw up a shot equally as bad. Needless to say it didn't go in, and I thought that when TMac was out Bonzi didn't "carry" the offense like you said he would. Instead, he missed a ton of shots and generally played badly. How much of that is due to the inactivity I don't know, but it's obvious he's not in a position to be a big factor right now at least. Hope he can kick it up a notch in the second half though.
McGrady is on fire and bonzi rested him pretty well, and Hayes is doing a good job on duncan, the whole team is playing great defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Did you also notice that Bonzi was a black hole everytime he touched the ball in the post? Never once did I see him pass it out. What stood out the most was when he badly missed a shot, got the rebound tapped back to him, then proceeded to take a few dribbles and then throw up a shot equally as bad. Needless to say it didn't go in, and I thought that when TMac was out Bonzi didn't "carry" the offense like you said he would. Instead, he missed a ton of shots and generally played badly. How much of that is due to the inactivity I don't know, but it's obvious he's not in a position to be a big factor right now at least. Hope he can kick it up a notch in the second half though.</div> You guys have it in for Bonzi. I guess you'd rather have David Wesley back lol. How can somebody by a "blackhole" on offense if he only takes 3 shots in a span of 5 minutes? The shot ur referring too was a bad possession in itself, being Bonzi had no other option but too shoot. How can you expect for him to carry the offense if he doesn't get the ball in the post? He got the ball one time in that area in 1st half It's funny in the 2nd half, he's carried the offense pretty well as expected. With Tmac out, the Rockets INCREASED the lead with Bonzi down low. He got layup, assisted on a 4pt play, and a 3 by Rafer. Bonzi can CARRY the offense for stretches. End of discussion NOTE:Hayes has outshined Howard tonight. He's guarded Duncan and got some good hustle plays. Howard hasn't been himself
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post"> NOTE:Hayes has outshined Howard tonight. He's guarded Duncan and got some good hustle plays. Howard hasn't been himself</div> TMac is really carrying us. Seems like the Rockets will sneak another win out of San Antonio. To his credit, Wells has stepped up his play in the second half.
<div class="quote_poster">DaRocket Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I know, Alston is going to ruin everythiiiiing</div> Skip played well. Man I haven't been so excited after a game like this in a while!! Props to both teams for literally leaving it all on the court!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">TMac is really carrying us. Seems like the Rockets will sneak another win out of San Antonio. To his credit, Wells has stepped up his play in the second half.</div> 4 points on 4 field goal attempts, with 4 turnovers. He has to improve.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You guys have it in for Bonzi. I guess you'd rather have David Wesley back lol. How can somebody by a "blackhole" on offense if he only takes 3 shots in a span of 5 minutes? The shot ur referring too was a bad possession in itself, being Bonzi had no other option but too shoot. How can you expect for him to carry the offense if he doesn't get the ball in the post? He got the ball one time in that area in 1st half It's funny in the 2nd half, he's carried the offense pretty well as expected. With Tmac out, the Rockets INCREASED the lead with Bonzi down low. He got layup, assisted on a 4pt play, and a 3 by Rafer. Bonzi can CARRY the offense for stretches. End of discussion NOTE:Hayes has outshined Howard tonight. He's guarded Duncan and got some good hustle plays. Howard hasn't been himself</div> 4 turnovers in 18 minutes..enough said. Don't act like the lead increase was due to bonzi down low (and the lack of mcgrady). It is because the rest of the team stepped up. My main beef with bonzi is his turnover rate. I noticed a lot of times he will post up...and then dribble himself into trouble. However..I did get kind of giddy when he spun around and cut to the basket. I just wish he would do that more instead of attempting shots (which he has been consistently missing).
<div class="quote_poster">Blurr#7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Skip played well. Man I haven't been so excited after a game like this in a while!! Props to both teams for literally leaving it all on the court!!!!</div> I actually laughed at that possession. It really did remind me of football where everyone is jumpingn on each other to get the fumble.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm predicting another Rockets win in S.A.</div> Did the Rowdies went again to San Antonio? Nice game by the Rockets. I thought they would break down again in the last minute like what they did against the Nuggets. TMac and Duncan were evenly match point for point but it was the Rockets' defense coupled with timely field goal shooting that won the game despite commiting 20 turnovers.
<div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">4 turnovers in 18 minutes..enough said. Don't act like the lead increase was due to bonzi down low (and the lack of mcgrady). It is because the rest of the team stepped up. My main beef with bonzi is his turnover rate. I noticed a lot of times he will post up...and then dribble himself into trouble.</div> I notice how quickly you guys find crap to whine about when it's a player ur not too fond of He did have 4 turnovers, which will happen when ur workin ur way back. But don't deny his impact on the game. When Tmac went out in the 2nd half, Bonzi's presence in the post changed the whole complexion of the game. We got a layup on the first possession, a 4pt play on the second, and 3pter from Rafer. At that point we went up like 8pts. So he did come in and do his job. I think he still needs to be finishin games though......
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">When Tmac went out in the 2nd half, Bonzi's presence in the post changed the whole complexion of the game. We got a layup on the first possession, a 4pt play on the second, and 3pter from Rafer. At that point we went up like 8pts. So he did come in and do his job. I think he still needs to be finishin games though......</div> He had one score, 0 assists, and 3 turnovers in the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter, when T-Mac was sitting, these are the plays we scored on: (1) Juwan makes 15-footer, Head assists (11:26) (2) Bonzi makes a driving layup (9:42) (3) Battier's corner 4-point play, Head assists (9:07) (4) Rafer's 3-pointer, Hayes assists (8:30) (5) Battier drives baseline and tips in his miss (7:35) How many of those plays was Bonzi actually involved in? You said that while T-mac was out, Bonzi's presence in the post changed the complexion of the game. Well, how many of those scores resulted from Bonzi's post play?
Hell YEA! We're up 2-1 on San Antonio. I'm proud of the Rockets play tonight despite 20 turnovers. T-Mac and Rafer stepped up in the 4th. Props to Hayes defense on Duncan and Head looking to score. Juwan hit some nice j's. He really has improved his game. He looks to dunk more, and crashes the boards. That jumper is a lot more consistent this season as well.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He had one score, 0 assists, and 3 turnovers in the fourth quarter.</div> This is what happens when you rely too heavily on stats. You don't appreciate the game, just the numbers. <div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">In that fourth quarter, when T-Mac was sitting, these are the plays we scored on: (1) Juwan makes 15-footer, Head assists (11:26) (2) Bonzi makes a driving layup (9:42) (3) Battier's corner 4-point play, Head assists (9:07) (4) Rafer's 3-pointer, Hayes assists (8:30) (5) Battier drives baseline and tips in his miss (7:35) How many of those plays was Bonzi actually involved in? You said that while T-mac was out, Bonzi's presence in the post changed the complexion of the game. Well, how many of those scores resulted from Bonzi's post play?</div> I can remember all those plays and ALL but two of those were the result of Bonzi in the post. We scored 9 straight buckets from Bonzi's back bein to the basket. Did you watch the game? Or just skim thru the stat sheet?
