Details: Who: (36-44) vs (44-36) Where: KeyArena When: Monday April 12th, 7:00 PST TV: KONG Projected Lineups: PG: Luke Ridnour/Brent Barry/Antonio Daniels SG: Ray Allen/Ronald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Ansu Sesay PF: Reggie Evans/Calvin Booth/Leon Smith C: Vitaly Potapenko/Calvin Booth Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Steve Francis/Mark Jackson/ Mike Wilks SG: Cuttino Mobley/Eric Piatkowski/Jim Jackson SF: Jim Jackson/Clarence Weatherspoon PF: Maurice Taylor/Kelvin Cato/Scott Padgett C: Yao Ming/Kelvin Cato Coached by Jeff Van Gundy Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Vladimir Radmanovic: right ankle sprain, on IL. Jerome James: abdominal sprain, doubtful Injury List Adrian Griffin: knee injury, on IL Notes: After a surprising twenty-point victory over the hot Dallas Mavericks, the Sonics welcome the Houston Rockets into KeyArena. The Rockets enter the Key with a recent playoff birth on their minds and hope to ride a winning streak into the playoffs. The Sonics however own the season series 3-0 and look to make it a sweep on Stevie Franchise and crew. Reggie Evans returns to the lineup and should provide some post help and give Yao Ming some problems. Speaking of post play, Ansu Sesay played excellent defense against Dirk Nowitski and the Mavs on Saturday and should receive added playing time as compensation. Post your thoughts, comments and predictions for the game here. <font size="1">NBA team logos courtesy of NBA.com </font>
Interesting game this. On paper you would think Houston would win easily, with Yao inside, but Seattle have had their measure over the last few seasons, and I'm gonna be bold and predict the sweep. Pot is always very physical on Yao, which is the best way to play him, and Ridnour is coming off a career game. Steve Francis is a different sort of opponent than Steve Nash though , so it will be interesting to see how he goes. Seattle by seven.
The Sonics will have no answer for Francis if he goes off for 33 and 11 again. And Yao Ming will always keep the double teams coming, and hitting the open outside shooter, most likely Jim Jackson or Cuttino Mobley. Even though Seattle will go for the sweep, I believe the Rockets' will to win will overcome the Sonics. Rockets by 4
Its no secret that the Sonics weak area is their inside presence. They might not have a dominant big man however the one thing they have is toughness. Yao will be hacked, hammered, elbowed, punched, kicked and whatever else you can think of that the Sonics low post players might do. I expect it to be a dirty battle down low tonight. Seattle will double team Yao every time in the low block so if the Rockets perimeter players can step it up with their shooting tonight we will be allright. I also wouldn't mind if Steve goes off again for 30+ points and 11+ assists. I think it will be a close game. The Sonics have won three straight times this year over the Rockets. A sweep to the Sonics is not something I want. Yao and Steve need to bring their A game tonight or they will be going home swept. Rockets by 5.
this is a game i've been waiting to happen [i'm going to the game tonight...] so...i don't want a loss...and i truly believe we can win this one....Sonics by 6.
The Rockets seem to be one of the only playoff bound teams the Sonics don't have problems with. A group effort inside will notch a Sonics win by 5. Steve Francis will score over 25 at least, but his efforts will go unrewarded.
Well Rockets up 34-25 after one, on the back of an 18 point first period by Jim Jackson (6-7 shooting, 5-6 treys). Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley not playing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SEATTLE, April 12 (Ticker) -- Resting their starting backcourt did not prevent the Houston Rockets from clinching seventh place in the Western Conference. </div> Full Recap courtesy of NBA.com
Seattle 107 Houston 111 Well Vlade Radmanovic and Ron Murray both improved their trade stock, with 21 and 24 points respectively. Both teams had two big quarters each, but in the end Houston were too strong, even without their big name back court. One more game to end the season for Seattle, while the Rockets look ahead as the 7th seed in the playoffs. Last home game of the season for Seattle. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of NBA.com.</font> Next Game: @ Clippers, Wednesday April 14th
it was such a good game to go to....even though we didn't win..it almost felt like we did...hehe..er sort of....
