<div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets (14-26)</font> at <font color="darkblue">Bobcats (11-31)</font> Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:30 CT; Ch.51 and NBALP </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="darkblue"> <font size="1">(B. Knight, R. Felton, B. Robinson, P. Brezec, J. Jones)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Gerald Wallace - 14.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Emeka Okafor - 10.0 RPG Assist Man: Brevin Knight - 8.3 APG The 'X' Factor: Kareem Rush (12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.2 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[IMGl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Knight_Brevin_SG.jpg[/IMGl]<font color="darkblue">Brevin Knight</font> PPG: 12.3, RPG: 8.3, APG: 3.2 The 9 Year Veteran is having the best scoring year of his career. All the injuries that the Bobcats have may be the reason he's scoring more. The Bobcats can really use a good by Brevin. Tonight he'll be going against Rafer Alston, the foul happy Point Guard of Houston. If Brevin attacks the basket he can have a good game. </font> <font size="1">[IMGl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Felton_Raymond_PG.jpg[/IMGl]<font color="darkblue">Raymond Felton</font> PPG: 8.2, RPG: 2.9, APG: 4.0 Raymond Felton is normally a backup Point Guard. But with an injury to Kareem Rush, Raymond has been forced to start. Raymond can contribute Offensively, but he will need to play better Defense if he wants the Bobcats to win. The last time he played the Rockets, Raymond let David Wesley score 26 points on him. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Robinson_Bernard_SF.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkblue">Bernard Robinson</font> PPG: 5.7, RPG: 3.0, APG: 1.1 Bernard is normally the Bobcat's 3rd Small Forward. But the injuries to Gerald Wallace, and Emeka Okafor have moved him up to the starting position. It's a great opportunity for him to gain some more experience. And what better way to gain experience by going 1 on 1 with Tracy McGrady. Expect Bernard to be a spectator tonight. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Brezec_Primoz_C.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkblue">Primoz Brezec</font> PPG: 12.0, RPG: 5.4, BPG: 0.34 Brezec isn't the most consistant basketball player. You really don't know what to expect from him. He can drop 21 points one night, and then 7 the next. Tonight he will go against Dekembe Mutombo. They both matchup well in size, but Primoz may have a hard time trying to back him down. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Jones_Jumaine_PF.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkblue">Jumaine Jones</font> PPG: 7.4, RPG: 4.3, BPG: 0.31 Jumaine is the third player to be made a starter after normally coming off the bench. Filling in for Emeka Okafor, Jumaine has been playing well for the last 2 games. Tonight he will be matched up with Juwon Howard who has been on fire lately. Jumaine being only 6'8", it doesn't look like he'll be able to stop Juwon. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, D. Wesley, T. McGrady, J. Howard, D. Mutombo) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Tracy McGrady - 26.9 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 9.0 RPG Assist Man: Rafer Alston - 5.9 APG The 'X' Factor: Stromile Swift (6.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 0.5 BPG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Alston_Rafer.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Rafer Alston</font> PPG: 11.3, RPG: 3.8, APG: 5.9 Rafer Alston is finally starting to play with some consistancy. He was off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, and then he got injured. But ever since his return he has been playing great. His scoring has gone up up, and so have his assists. If he can play like he has been playing, the Rockets should be able to win this game. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Wesley_David.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">David Wesley</font> PPG: 10.8, RPG: 2.9, APG: 3.1 The last time David Wesley played the Bobcats, David Wesley went for 26 points. And there's a good chance he can do that again tonight. David Wesley had a slow start at the beginning of the season, and was getting the fans upset. But now Wesley is 100%, and back to the same David Wesley we fell in love with last year. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/McGrady_Tracy.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Tracy McGrady</font> PPG: 26.9, RPG: 7.0, APG: 4.9 Tracy McGrady has been on Fire! He has scored 40+ points in the last 2 games, and there's no reason it should stop tonight. With all the injuries that the Bobcats have had, Tracy McGrady should have an easy game tonight. As long as Tracy doesn't get injured, Tracy McGrady should go for another 30+ game tonight. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Mutombo_Dikembe.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Dikembe Mutombo</font> - PPG: 2.7, RPG: 5.5, BPG: 0.97 Not in the House of Mutombo! That pretty much says it all. Mutombo is such a feared defensive presence. Not only will he block your shot, but he'll wag that long finger in your face. Unfortunately, Mutombo isn't that great of a scorer, he's really really old. But he can still rebound, and those rebounds can turn into points. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/jul1oxr/Howard_Juwon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Juwan Howard</font> PPG: 8.9, RPG: 6.4, BPG: 0.11 Juwon has done a great job scoring in the absence of Yao. Juwon may not be as explosive as his younger days, but he still has the moves. As long as Juwon stays consistant throughout the game, the Rockets should win this game. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">T-Mac! T-Mac! T-Mac!</font> - Get T-Mac going early. The more attention T-Mac can draw to himself, the more open shots the rest of the Rockets can have.[*]<font color="red">Get The crowd going</font> - The Rockets have been horrible at home. If they can get the crowd into it, it can make a big difference in momentum.[*][*]<font color="blue">Stop T-Mac</font> - If the Bobcats take T-Mac out of the game, they have a GREAT chance of Winning.[*]<font color="blue">Stop T-Mac</font> - The Bobcats can't let McGrady take over the game.[*][/list]<font size="3">Other Notes</font><ul>[*]David Wesley scored his Season High of 26 against the Bobcats.[*]The Rockets haven't won at home since December 6, 2005[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Tracy McGrady will takeover the game and score 40+ points. Rockets: W, Bobcats: L
Midway through the second quarter, and Chuck Hayes is continuing his awesome play. Playing stifling team defense, causing steals, blocks, getting the defensive board, being a presence on the offensive boards. This guy is an absolute stud. I'm truly amazed. I hope the Rockets realize what they have.
I can't see the game, but like you durvasa, I'm very impressed by Hayes. In just 10 minutes this game, he has 5 points, 4 boards, 2-2 from the field, 2 steals and a block, all indications of great hustle play. And that hustle has translated into success for the Rockets, as we're leading 47-36 with the first half 2:40 away from being over. Also good to see Lonny Baxter stepping up his play facing competition for minutes from Hayes. 8 points, 4 rebounds, a steal and a block. Good numbers in just 13 minutes. Also, durvasa, would love to see some stats regarding the team when Hayes is on the court. I'd find it myself but I find 82games.com very hard to navigate. Would appreciate it if you could analyze the stats a bit for me. Thanks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post"> Also, durvasa, would love to see some stats regarding the team when Hayes is on the court. I'd find it myself but I find 82games.com very hard to navigate. Would appreciate it if you could analyze the stats a bit for me. Thanks.</div> The +/- for Hayes probably isn't too useful right now, since he hasn't played a lot of minutes. In his 88 minutes on the court (before this game), the Rockets are +20.4 pts per 100 possessions (109.9 to 89.6). The big difference is in the defense -- opposition shooting only 36.7 efg%, and we're grabbing 75.3% of the defensive boards, which would be a league leading pace. Again, 88 minutes isn't a large sample size, but I really think that isn't a fluke. He's for real.
T-Mac Down! He got hit on the nose and is bleeding. He looks ok, nothing serious. Just a little blood coming out of his nose. It was a very scary moment, everyone got quiet. He's ok.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">T-Mac Down! He got hit on the nose and is bleeding. He looks ok, nothing serious. Just a little blood coming out of his nose. It was a very scary moment, everyone got quiet. He's ok.</div> Not funny. Hayes and Baxter have both played extremely well today, combining for 25, 14, 3 blocks and 3 steals in just43 minutes combined. A two headed monster making up an All-Star. Interesting. They're taking minutes away from Mutombo, but Deke has also done a great job, 6 rebounds in just 12 minutes. Another complete game from TMac, 29 points, 8 boards and 6 dimes in just 29 minutes. Our starters are getting some good rest. Rockets will win this on a blowout.
Great game...did anyone see that moochie thing where he thought it was a 24 second violation and he threw it up there and it ended up not going in barely. lol very funny
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TmacGarnett:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game...did anyone see that moochie thing where he thought it was a 24 second violation and he threw it up there and it ended up not going in barely. lol very funny</div> Yeah, even Bernie Bickerstaff had a laugh about that and the Bobcats were down 20+ points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TmacGarnett:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game...did anyone see that moochie thing where he thought it was a 24 second violation and he threw it up there and it ended up not going in barely. lol very funny</div> did anyone see JVG's reaction?lol well played game by the Rockets. Chuck Hayes is really impressing me hes a monster on the boards and so is Lonny Baxter.
The closest person I can think to compare Hayes to is Najara. They make a living with hustle plays, and have a nose for the ball. Neither ever plays outside their skills and are valuable players. TMac goes down, and all I thought was, sh!t his nose is broke and he'll be out for awhile.
More like Dennis Rodman... Najara sucks and can't rebound nearly as well and is taller. Rodman is taller too, but they both aren't amazing offensivley, but can rebound and do defense. Charles Barkley is to good offensivley.
I heard on the Radio today that T-Mac may have to wear a mask like Rip Hamilton. He will play, they just don't know how bad his nose is right now. It's gonna be weird seeing T-Mac in a mask, I just can't picture him in one, haha.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">I heard on the Radio today that T-Mac may have to wear a mask like Rip Hamilton. He will play, they just don't know how bad his nose is right now. It's gonna be weird seeing T-Mac in a mask, I just can't picture him in one, haha.</div> Tmac in a mask? man thats like Ryan Bowen with braids.
