The Rockets look to Edge closer to Clinching the Fifth Seed against the Clippers tonight at TC April 18, 2005 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas Game Time: 7:30 CT TV: Ch. 51 KNWS (Local) Inside the Numbers <font color="red">Rockets</font> Leading Scorer: Tracy McGrady (25.8 PPG) Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming (8.4 RPG) Assist Man: Tracy McGrady (5.7 APG) The 'X' Factor: Yao Ming (18.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.01 BPG) <font color="red">Clippers</font> Leading Scorer: Corey Maggette (22.2 PPG) Leading Rebounder: Elton Brand (9.5 RPG) Assist Man: Marko Jaric (6.0 APG) The 'X' Factor: Shaun Livingston (7.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.0 APG) Probable Line-ups: <div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets <font size="1">Bob Sura, David Wesley, Tracy McGrady, Clarence Weatherspoon, Yao Ming</font> Clippers <font size="1">Marko Jaric, Corey Maggette*, Bobby Simmons, Elton Brand, Zeljko Rebraca *Corey Maggette is doubtful for tonights game. </font></font></div> Position-By-Position Point Guard: Sura/Jaric - Jaric is a good shooter, Sura is a good scorer. Both should not be the deciding factor in this game, but both are able to score in the bunches when they need to. Offensively, Jaric has the slight edge, but in overall defense and rebounding, Sura has the advantage. They should cancel each other out in this game. Advantage: Even Shooting Guard: Wesley/Maggette or Livingston - I am gonna down right say it. If Wesley plays against Maggette, he will be the underdog. If he plays against Livingston, he will have the advantage. Whoever he plays, Wesley should have a good game offensively, and defensively, he should limit either of them under 25. Advantage: Undecided Small Forward: McGrady/Simmons - Simmons is a fantastic player. But McGrady is an MVP candidate, who has stepped up his defense and his playmaking ability in the past few games. Coming off a 30+ Performance against Caremlo Anthony, he should be able to duplicate the performance in some aspects againts the Clippers. Advantage: Rockets Power Forward: Weatherspoon/Brand - Brand is a beast in the paint and can draw defenders out as well. He should take advantage of the mis-match quite often, and make Clarence work hard to defend him. Barring an Injury, Brand should dominate 'Spoon in all aspects. Advantage: Clippers Center: Yao/Rebraca - Yao has taken his game to another level right before the playoffs, playing with greater aggression and hunger. He should take advantage of the smaller and less potent Rebraca, and win this matchup with ease. Advantage: Rockets <div align="center"> KEYS TO THE GAME </div> <ul>Get Yao involved. The Big Fella has to ride this streak well into the playoffs, and the players around him have to get him involved as often as possible. Feed him the ball and he should be able to create for himself and players around him.[/list] <ul>Distance ourselves from Denver. The Rockets need as much breathing room from other teams as possible, and a win here would put Denver's chance at the 5th seed away, and would ensure they finish behind us. If the Rockets really want it, they should come out gunning tonight, and show everyone they can really bring it to anyone in the league.[/list] <ul>Complacency.. Don't let it sink in. The Rockets have to stay focused for 48 minutes in this game, and keep the crowd going. They cannot brush the Clippers aside, as it will effect confidence and moral going into the last game of the season. If the Rockets wanna get fans excited about the playoffs, they better show some poise and effort against the Clippers.[/list] Prediction: The Rockets will not let this one go in front of a home crowd. Nor will they come out lazy. The Rockets are going to prove they are ready for the playoffs tonight, they'll come out running and gunning. Expect Yao to have his share of the cake tonight. Rockets 106 Clippers 92
Hmm, glad to see Yao edge over 2 blocks a game. I believe that's a career high. The Rockets should not be complacent tonight. We'll probably be ranked top 5 in the power rankings for this past week but that doesn't mean we'll be invincible. The Clippers have snuck up on a few teams this year, and Elton Brand would be tough for Weatherspoon to handle. However, I think the Rockets would be fine. Tracy McGrady has been hot for about 5 games now and I'll look for him to get 25 again. If Yao Ming can score around 20 and get 9 boards, we should be fine.
We seem to be playing quite well, Elton Brand is really carrying them, he's 7/8 from the field with 18 points! and this is only end of the first quarter! now onto us David Wesley seems to be out of his shooting slump he's 4/4 he has 11, T-Mac has 6 assists already and Yao has 10 from 5/6 shooting...I can't believe how much scoring is happening after the FIRST quarter! Current Score: 40 - 31 (our lead)
Rockets win, 115-90. That seals our faith at the fifth seed so someone can make a thread on it. Nice rebounding. I think that is what won us the game. Padgett had 9 but apparently he didnt play much D.
Well, we haven't clinched that fifth spot yet. The Kings might still win their game tonight against the Jazz and they could be fifth if they win their last game and we lose ours. However, if they lose tonight, we get fifth. Is it good or bad? I can definitely tell that matchup-wise we would be better off against Seattle, but they've gotten Rashard Lewis back and could be tough to handle. Dallas, meanwhile, has Dirk Nowitzki who definitely could manhandle Weatherspoon, Padgett and whoever else we put on him. Thing is, if we close out the season on a seven-game winning streak, momentum would definitely be on our side.
ok guys, so we get mavericks.. i really hope this recent good run can build our confidence against powerful dallas...
one thing i noticed when i was at the game was that people left during te middle of the game, and our fans dont get involved much at all... and clutch is one funny ass bear haha, but anyways i really feel as if that just sucks that our team does so well and nobody really comes to see them dont you guys think so?
Sacramento lost and they didn't even played their best basketball. They manage to cut down the Jazz lead but they are seem not motivated. They took advantage of the Rockets' early schedule in terms of playing time tonight. Once they knew that the Rockets won they didn't put up a fight in the fourth quarter to beat the Jazz. Kenny Thomas,Skinner and Mobley looks like a bunch of craps tonight. Anyway the Rockets clinched the 5th spot. At least they played honest basketball by playing their best. I'm positive that they can put a good fight with Dallas. Nowitzki is the only one to worry about in terms of match-up. Weatherspoon is slow and small. Elton Brand scored a season high against him tonight. I just hope Juwan would make a miraculous comeback in the playoffs like Jermaine O'Neal and the rumored Richard Jefferson of the Nets.
I just got back from the Rockets game tonight and i really enjoyed it. The rockets seemed to play with alot of cofidence in their shot and I dont care who we play as long as we go in with confidence.
Well I wanted Seattle, but Dallas will do.....if we can find some kind of way to control dirk I like our chances
