<div align="center"> <font color="Red">Houston Rockets</font> (6-7) @ <font color="Navy">Utah Jazz </font> (7-5)</div> When: Friday 26th November, 9:00 PM (EST) Where: Delta Center Local TV: KJZZ National TV: NBALP <div align="center">Projected Starting Lineups <font color="Red">Rockets</font> <font size="1">Tyronn Lue, Tracy McGrady, Jim Jackson, Maurice Taylor, Yao Ming</font></div> <div align="center"><font color="Navy">Jazz</font></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font size="1">Carlos Arroyo, Gordan Giricek, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Jarron Collins</font></div> Injured List <font color="Red">Rockets:</font> Ryan Bowen, Reece Gaines, Bob Sura <font color="Navy">Jazz:</font> Raul Lopez, Kris Humphries, Aleksandar Radojevic <div align="center">Key Matchup Tracy McGrady vs. Gordan Giricek</div> T-Mac was the leading PPG scorer in the NBA last season, the guy can basically score at will. Giricek, who has never been known for his defense, has a lot to do on defense against T-Mac just to limit him to under 25. T-Mac needs to score big without shooting to many shots, Giricek has to force T-Mac into bad shots. Prediction After losses to lowly New Orleans and Chicago, I can't see Utah beating Houston. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady should dominate, and that's what Houston needs. But so far this season, Utah have shown us that anything is possible. Utah 92 Houston 98
I'm pretty sure we will probably lose this game but as a Jazz fan I got to go with the Jazz. I think this game will so if we are a contender or a pretender for the playoffs. I hope Sloan has some changes up his sleeve, maybe Okur starting, McLeod getting some minutes? Whatever happens, we have got to win some games.
I agree. I just don't see the Jazz winning this. Hopefully they have a killer game and contain Tracy.
Nobody on the Jazz can contain Yao, and nobody could contain McGrady. The best the Jazz can do is to try and contain the supporting cast. The Rockets have proven that they suffer without a third option, and if Jim Jackson and Mo Taylor are kept in check, the Jazz have an outside chance at taking this one. Then again, you never can know when McGrady and Yao just have great games and win it by themselves. Rockets by 7.
The Jazz may put AK47 on T-Mac. It'd be an interesting matchup because AK47 is an elite defender, 4.8 BPG and all, however he may stuggle with T-Mac's speed and athleticism. If AK47 is guarding T-Mac, AK47 simply can not get in foul trouble. It happened vs. Chicago and the Jazz paid the price.
Having Kirilenko on McGrady might cause Giricek to be guarding Jim Jackson, who's also a great offensive player. Although he isn't called upon anymore to score a lot of points, he's still a threat to put up 30 every night.
Utah win, 90 - 80. I can't understand how they lose to New Orleans and Chicago but beat the much stronger Houston at home . The Jazz got Yao into early foul trouble, which played a big part in the match. T-Mac got 17 points, on 7-17 shooting from the court 2-4 FT's. Kirilenko filled the stat sheet again, 21 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals. Jarron Collins got more fouls than points, and Okur shot 8-8 from the court and 4-4 from the line with 20 points in 25 minutes. Why isn't he starting? Regardless, the Jazz got a win and that's exactly what they needed. Next up, San Antonio on the road, Utah have got little chance of winning this one, they've lost about 20 in a row to the Spurs.
We won! I did not expect this. AK had a monster game, 21 and 12 with 4 blocks and three steals and Okur added 20 points. Looks like the Jazz got a big lead in the second and never looked back, that seems like what the Jazz has to do to win. And again, we won and against a good team, I'm not trying to rub it in I'm just shocked!
Okur is a great shooter........ Sloan has to start him over Collins. How the hell did we lose to Bulls and Hornets? Bahhhhhh!!!!!!! The San Antonio game should be a close one.
I expected this. The rockets dont look good at all. Utah hits a good amount of there shots, and takes smart shots. Not too add they play as a team, and there defense is ok too.
