After a long wait the NBA Season is finally here, and tonight is opening night. Tonights game will kick off a new era in Rockets history. Not only have we added a new coach and a new stadium, this team has been rebuilt for the future. Yao Ming has made some serious improvements in the offseason and the additions of Piatkowski and Jackson really improve our franchise as a whole. On to the much anticpated game: Overlook The Nuggets are coming into the game after a very suprising opening game victory over the San Antonio Spurs, 90-72. Both teams are coming in with momentum. The Nuggets have great momentum coming off their win against the World Champions. Houston won their last 4 preseason games beating the Kings twice, the Nuggets, and the Spurs. Rockets The Rockets offense no doubt relies on the play of Yao Ming and Stevie Francis. It is key to the Rockets sucess to get Yao Ming off to a good start. He needs to get alot of touches tonight if they want to win this game, or any game for that matter. Mobley, Nachbar, Norris and Jackson will be called upon even more tonight on the offensive end as Piatkowski and Griffin are out. Down low to help Yao, will be the likes of Maurice Taylor and Calvin Cato. Cato who was Yao's back-up last year will start at PF tonight. Cato will do the dirty work and he will benefit from the constant attention Yao will get from defenders. Our defense will be tested heavily tonight as the the Nuggets are young and they like to run and gun. I think the Rockets will try to get this game into the half court set and use Yao to their advantage rather than get caught up in Denver's style of play. I am anxious to see how the Rockets play defense in transition. Nuggets Carmelo has the look, the smile and the poise of a champion. Is he the real deal though? Yes. Carmelo is quite possibly the most talented player drafted in last years draft and as a rookie, he is "leader" of this team. He will play a huge role in this game. Nene and Marcus Camby get the unfortunate job of going against Yao and Cato tonight. Nene who is an athletic specimen has the ability to easily get a doube-doube every night. He lacks the fundamentals but he makes up for that in shear athleticism. Camby comes in at 225 pounds making him one of the lightest centers in the league, however him and Nene combine to form one of the most athletic frontcourts in the league. The aquisition of Andre Miller gives the Nuggets someone who can score and assist at the same time. He is like a Jason Kidd clone but he isnt at the same level. Lenard will get the start tonight at SG and dont be surprised to see the little firing gun of Earl Boykins get alot of minutes. Injury Report Rockets- Eric Piatkowski(out with left ankle sprain), Adrian Griffin(out, knee surgery), Eddie Griffin(suspended) Nuggets - Chris Marcus Outlook Face it, Yao is 7-6. big and dominant in the post. Denver doesnt have anyone that can battle with him in the post. Houston will continue to dump that ball into Yao all night long. For Denver to win they have to get the game out of the half-court set and into a full court game. This type of play is what the Rockets are the most vulnerable to. If the Rockets can't control it, we might see an upset tonight. Prediction Rockets over Nuggets 91-84
