<div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><font color="green">Seattle Supersonics</font> VS <font color="red">Houston Rockets</font></div> When: Wednesday April 20th, 8:30PM EST/7:30PM CT Where:Toyota Center, Houston Local TV: FSNSW Position-by-Position Analysis <u>Center to Small Forward By Aznxballer</u> C- Jerome James vs Yao Ming- Ones a role player, ones a disputable star. However, both of these guys share a job and that is to rebound. James is the junkyward dog for Seattle and can definitely play tough defense downlow. Although Yao has an obvious height advantage over James, watch for Jerome to make it tough for Yao to get rebounds or score. He'll box out, play physical, and get aggressive for rebounds. Meanwhile, look for Yao to abuse him by posting up, and knocking down those jumpers. In addition, if Yao is hot for tonight, you'll see him grab more rebounds and deny the opposition of any open shot- meaning blocks plus more blocks. Houston Advantage PF- Reggie Evans vs Clarence Weatherspoon- Great hustle players here. Both aren't really going to amaze you with their scoring, but watch these two guys duke it out for positioning to clean off the glass. Evans is a much younger version of Weathersoon who has a lot of potential while Clarence obviously brings a lot of veteranship to the table. However, it doesn't really matter much here- both have limited roles on their team. Although Evans' is more crucial, its basically the same and that is rebound, hustle, and pressure in the paint. Even Advantage SF- Rashard Lewis vs Tracy McGrady- Incredible shooters and great scorers. Both of these guys can nail jumpers and light you up from the three point arc. In addition, both of these guys aren't exactly defensive specialists. So the difference you ask? McGrady has a much more defined game of driving inside and finishing. He can cross you over, split defenders, and get the two points at the bucket. Perhaps one of the best one on one players in the league, McGrady is unstoppable when he's hot. Lewis meanwhile should be able to keep up with him and if he can get his stroke going, should be a huge factor in this game. Plus, if Houston plays zone defense like they usually do, it should allow for Lewis and his teammates much better shots at the three and therefore- letting him drain them. However, McGrady just has more dimension and explosiveness in his game. Houston Advantage <u>Shooting Guard to Sixth Man By magnomonkey</u> VS. SG - David Wesley has rediscovered his shot, but Ray Allen is an MVP candidate. He can drive inside, shoot it straight up, and create shots for his teammates. As good a defender as Wesley is, Ray will win this. But watch Wes' defense around the perimeter, he should be able to shut a dimension of Ray's game down. With Ray Allen possibly doubling McGrady whenever he touches the ball, Wesley will have open shots, and will make them. Keep in mind Wesley's performance the last time these two teams met, as it could easily dictate what Allen does in this game. Advantage: Sonics VS. PG - Sura is a big point guard, that should bump the younger Ridnour around. But Ridnour has really discovered his role as the starting point guard on the team, and will take it to Sura on many occasions. His shot isn't too shabby, and his play-making skills are better than many point guards, including Sura. But this battle will be won on the defensive end. We know Sura will step up, but will Ridnour? Advantage: Even VS. Sixth Man- Though Mike James may not be the Rockets' Sixth Man, he matches up with Daniels better than Dikembe Mutumbo. Daniels is a physical point guard who will body-up Mike. MJ, however, is an experienced point guard, who can shoot lights out against anyone, as well as defend players bigger than him. Mike was a big part of our success throughout the season, and should come up big in this matchup. Advantage: Rockets <font color="green">Sonics' Keys to the Game by Dan Le</font> Get Hot - Is simple as it sounds, they need to knock down their shots to win this game, Ray Allen has been considered one of the "hot" guards in the last few weeks, he's been drilling shots from just about everywhere, but no matter how well he shoots he can't lead them to victory by himself, Rashard Lewis, Luke Ridnour and even Damien Wilkins has to get points on the board, this has always been a great shooting team, but once their shots aren't falling everything else goes downhill. No Sparks - Don't let the rockets get too much confidence, once we get a boost of anything our whole game improves, things like when Ryan Bowen got all those offensive rebounds, when Deke comes in and grabs 10 rebounds on a quarter when Mike James breaks a run by hitting a three, all these things are confidence boosters, they're sparks off the bench, even if its something very minor our game improves just that little bit, and that can go a long way. Grab them rebounds - This is a great rebounding team, with players like Danny Fortson, Nick Collison and Reggie Evans they're bound to get many rebounds, and they really need to for every defensive rebound they grab they stop us from getting a second shot, for every offensive rebound they get..they get a second chance shot, most of the games we've played against these guys was close, so every single point will count. Foul Trouble - They need to stay out of this, yes the main reason this is a key point for them is because of Danny Fortson, he's always been a great rebounder, but whether it's these fouls are because they're dirty plays, he's known as a fouler so calls don't go his way or just because thats the way he plays, he needs to calm down, I know this isn't going to change in just this game, but if he can stay in longer he'll be a big rebounding threat to us, and obviously everyone else needs to stay out of foul trouble but thats the same with every team. <font color="red">Rockets' Keys to the Game by Trip</font> Threes - The Rockets attempt quite a few three pointers every night. With great perimeter shooters like David Wesley, Jon Barry and Mike James on the roster, it should be deemed reasonable that the Rockets live and die by the three at times. If Houston wants to live on Wednesday night, they'll have to make their three point attempts. Yao/Mac Produce - Like a lot of teams that rely on stars to pull them over the hill, the Rockets' success each night depends on the MacMing combo. Yao Ming traditionally has big games against Seattle, and add that in to his recent hot form, and one could envision a 30-point night for Ming. It's also his time to make a statement that he's ready to make noise in the playoffs. McGrady also should be accountable for about 20 points and another well-rounded night. Ride the Home Crowd - This being the last game of the season, the Rockets would no doubt received a lot of support from their playoff-hungry fans. The team will have to impress to earn similar fan support in the playoffs. Expect Houston to use the thundering atmosphere at the Toyota Center to their advantage and turn it into a convincing win. AznxBaller's Prediction It all depends on shooting here. Obviously, Seattle lives and dies on perimeter shots while part of Houston's offense also lies from the arc. However, the difference is Houston has got huge inside scoring in Yao Ming while Seattle's interior very weak. Plus, Houston's got outside shooters in Wesley, Barry, McGrady, James, and Padgett as well to even things out if the going gets rough. In addition, Houston's bench is much stronger with all those role players so you know who the favorite is. Oh yeah, and don't forget that Houston is playing at home with a probably elevated crowd since playoffs are close. Prediction- Houston win 105-101. magnomonkey's Prediction If the Rockets play as well as they did in the two teams' recent matchup, then they should win this game. Seattle has nothing really to play for, while the Rockets do. If the Rockets want to clinch the Fifth Seed, then they will come out with a W. Look for Seattle to try frustrating Houston, but we'll step up in front of a vamped up home crowd. This is the final game of the season for the Rockets, and they sure wanna end it on a high note. The Rockets will take it to Seattle, and the fans will be going crazy, as the fan favorite 'Turbo' returns to Houston for one Final Performance. Prediction- Houston win 109-98. Dan Le's Prediction I think we'll win this match simple because of how well we've been playing, we beat Denver, a team that was on a 10 game winning streak by 28 points! if that doesn't boost our confidence level what will? we've played well against them this whole season, no one on the team can guard Yao...My only concern is that we might purposley drop this game to get to 6th seed so we don't have to play the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs, either way it's a win-win situation for me! Now that i've written this prediction we'll probably lose...seems to always happen when I do them.. Prediction- Houston win 112-92 Trip's Prediction The Rockets are on a seven-game winning streak and they would probably want to end the season on a high note by tying their highest winning streak of this season, against the Seattle Supersonics. The Rockets already have locked up the fifth spot in the West Conference for the playoffs, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't want to shout out their presence in the playoff picture as potential spoilers. Momentum is on Houston's side, and I doubt the Rockets would settle for anything less than a convincing win. Prediction- Houston wins 104-92 <font size="-2">This special game preview is brought to you by the Rockets Preview Team. Aznxballer, magnomonkey, Trip and Dan Le would like to thank loyal Rockets posters for a season of support and quality discussion. Next season looks nothing but brighter for both the Rockets and this team forum. Thank you for an excellent season, it has been very fun and fulfilling writing previews for you guys.</font>
Nice preview......it would be nice to get this game, so we can go into the post season on a positive note, but the most important thing is that no one gets injured
houstons 3 point shooting has been incredible lately. hitting 13 threes against the clippers as well is denver, hopefully we can keep that going. this game should be close however.
Nice preview. It wont mean anything for either team really, but i think both will like to end the season on a good note to take confidence into the playoffs. If the rockets win, it really will give some inspiration against the mavs, which is always helpful. This should be a close game. 111-109
Nice preview guys! Rockets are already locked in the 5th seed. Although this looks to be a non-bearing game, the Rockets should win this one to build momentum and confidence. Psychological factors are important in developing winning atitude. Winning this game would bring positive things for all the Rockets' players besides it's a good match-up between two of the top teams.
i dont think macgrady isplayign tonight nor will ray allen. macgrady has back spasms and ming will be playing short minutes. ryan bowen is starting for mcgrady
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cheen0:</div><div class="quote_post">i dont think macgrady isplayign tonight nor will ray allen. macgrady has back spasms and ming will be playing short minutes. ryan bowen is starting for mcgrady</div> That will be good I guess. McGrady has been playing big minutes all season and it will be a good idea to give him a game off to get his breath back and get him fresher for the playoffs. Besides, it really won't hurt the team considering Allen is also not playing. Cancelling each other out I guess. Maybe this is also getting Ryan Bowen in form to play more minutes in the playoffs?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mansunz:</div><div class="quote_post">Houston 106, Seattle 78 another blowout. Seven in a row. Bring on Dallas.</div> hahahaha, that's a good mentality going to the playoff. But then again, the mavs can also say "Mavs 108, memphis 88 another blowout. Nine in a row. Bring on Rockets." It is no doubt the most ainticipated match of the first round playoff.
Mateen Cleaves played 31 minutes, and Robert Swift spent a fair bit of time on court. You should have won by more, even without T-Mac.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post">Mateen Cleaves played 31 minutes, and Robert Swift spent a fair bit of time on court. You should have won by more, even without T-Mac.</div> We didn't want to destroy you guys 125-60. After all, it's your season-closer as well and you might lose all confidence if you lose too badly. It's kind of our playoffs gift to you. Besides, you've already avoided the team most likely to knock you out of the playoffs (us), so what's there to complain about?
