Mavericks-Rockets preview8 p.m., Toyota Center, Ch. 21; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270, Spanish)10:52 PM CST on Tuesday, March 14, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / Staff WriterSeries: Mavericks lead 2-0 this season; Rockets lead 72-54 all time.Key matchupYao Ming vs. DeSagana Diop: China's 7-6 center has been on a sensational roll lately. In the last five games, he's averaged 32.2 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 52 percent from the floor and 86 percent from the line. In his only game against the Mavs this season, he had 20 points and six rebounds. He's averaging 21.8 points and 10 rebounds, both careere bests. The last Rocket to average a double-double for the season was Hakeem Olajuwon. Erick Dampier and DeSagana Diop will have their hands full trying to slow down Yao.Inside the MavericksBig difference: If you're looking for the reason the Mavericks' scoring is down roughly three points from last season, look no further than shots per game. They are hoisting 78.3 shots per game, compared to 81.6 shots last season. Go back to the 2003-04 season and they averaged a whopping 88.2 shots.Briefly: They have lost as many games in March (three) as they did in January and February combined. They were 23-3 in those months, 4-3 before Tuesday in March. ... In the last 12 games, Jerry Stackhouse is shooting 4-of-30 (13.3 percent) from 3-point range.Inside the RocketsHot and cold: They traded Maverick-killer Mike James to get a truer point guard in Rafer Alston, who has shown both his dazzling and disappointing sides. He dished out a season-high 14 assists last week and has had 10 double-digit assist nights since Jan. 1. But he's shooting just 38.7 percent from the field and 67.9 percent from the line.Briefly: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady (out with a back injury) have played together in only 31 games, in which the Rockets are 21-10. ... Stromile Swift continues to perplex with his inconsistency and his occasional indifference. He's averaging 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.PROBABLE STARTERSRockets Pos. MavericksJuwan Howard F Dirk NowitzkiKeith Bogans F Josh PowellYao Ming C DeSagana DiopLuther Head G Marquis DanielsRafer Alston G Jason Terryhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...w.12082481.html
Yeah other players on the rockets aren't making open shots. Yao Ming was doubled many times and yet the other 4 players more often than not failed to score and take advantage.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah other players on the rockets aren't making open shots. Yao Ming was doubled many times and yet the other 4 players more often than not failed to score and take advantage.</div>It amazes me how bad the team is after Tmac and Yao. I mean they got decent players, but it's a dropoff.Also, man Rawle is looking like a player. No need to pick anyone up in free agency, 2nd start and he really played well despite some mistakes. Played the passing lanes nicely and I like his drives.
