Orlando Magic (1-5) at Houston Rockets (3-1) 8:30 pm EST The Orlando Magic come into town tonight to face the red hot Houston Rockets. After winning their season opener against the Knicks, the Magic have lost 5 straight games. The Magic will attempt to snap their longest losing streak in 4 years tonight. The Magic were completly embarrased last night by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-71. TMAC played a terrible game only shooting 2-10, and scoring only 4 points. The Rockets come into this game, on a two game winning streak. They beat the Bulls in Chicago and beat the Nets, 86-75 on Tuesday. Cuttino Mobley, Steve Francis, Jim Jackson and Maurice Taylor all scored double digits in the game against the Nets. Tonight's Starters Yao Ming vs. Steven Hunter Calvin Cato vs. Drew Gooden Jim Jackson vs. Juwan Howard Cuttino Mobley vs. Tracy McGrady Steve Francis vs. Tyronn Lue Tonight's Game The Rockets come into this game very shorthanded especially down low. Eddie Griffin and Maurice Taylor are both suspended. Ben Davis, Adrian Griffin, and Eric Piatkowski are all on the injured list as well. This means that Scott Padgett and John Amaechi will get alot of minutes down low. TMAC has complained alot about the zone and how he isnt effective against one. The Rockets have had a nice 3 day break of basketball which gave them ample time to practice the 2-3. I think that they will play a 2-3 zone against the Magic as the Magic have shown that they are ineffective against it. Tyron Lue had a career night(25 points) against the Wolves however Steve Francis should be able to shut him down. Even though the Rockets are shorthanded I still think they can win this ball game. They key for the Rockets tonight is to stay out of foul touble, especially the big men. With a lack in number of players, it will be crutial that Houston can play its starters most of the game.
The Rockets won 96-86 tonight advancing their record to 4-1 which is top in the Midwest Division. The Rockets were led by Steve Francis who scored 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting and Cuttino Mobley chipped in an additional 21 points, while performing stellar defense on Tracy McGrady. Yao Ming added 16 points and 11 rebounds and Kelvin Cato 10 and 11 for Houston. TMAC, who scored just four points in a 100-71 home loss to Minnesota on Friday, was limited to 14 points on 5-of-21 shooting. Juqan Howard led the Magic with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Major props to Cuttino Mobley who played excellent defense on TMAC. You can find the box score here: http://www.nba.com/games/20031108/ORLHOU/boxscore.html The Rockets next game is on Tuesday vs. the Miami Heat.
Interesting that Yao got angry enough for a T. Usually he's pretty mild mannered. I guess it was just those tough Orlando bigmen. Ha ha.
Great game by the Rockets. I didnt think they were going to miss a three pointer all night. They have a great future with Yao/Franchise together. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">I guess it was just those tough Orlando bigmen. Ha ha </div> Well you know Andrew DeClerq gives everyone fits!
This year's big men just aren't as intimidating as the good ol' days of Pat Burke, John Amaechi, and Ike Austin.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Liberty30:</div><div class="quote_post">This year's big men just aren't as intimidating as the good ol' days of Pat Burke, John Amaechi, and Ike Austin.</div> Also, you can take into affect that they were playing against one of the biggest frontcourts with Yao and Cato. Not an easy match for any team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dexter:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, you can take into affect that they were playing against one of the biggest frontcourts with Yao and Cato. Not an easy match for any team.</div> Thanks, true, it's very tough to match up with you guys. I must concede though, our bigs are still a problem area for us. I love Drew, but as a whole, they won't be scaring anyone this year. Any chance you'd trade us Yao? We'd give you Grant Hill. The ankle will be just fine... at least that's what the doctors in Detroit told us.
I think the Magic played surprisingly good. Steven Hunter actually played pretty good against Yao. I figured you guys would roll over us since you have the Franchise and the Dynasty, our 2 weakest defensive areas. Congrats on the win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Liberty30:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks, true, it's very tough to match up with you guys. I must concede though, our bigs are still a problem area for us. I love Drew, but as a whole, they won't be scaring anyone this year. Any chance you'd trade us Yao? We'd give you Grant Hill. The ankle will be just fine... at least that's what the doctors in Detroit told us.</div> Well, big men are the problem area for most Eastern confrence teams. Teams in the west generally have a much better quality of big men. The Magic however have a great young player in Drew Gooden. He is a good player now, so you can only imagine what he will be like with a couple of more years under his belt. I dont think Yao is going anywhere. We love Yao in Houston. :mrgreen: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Magic played surprisingly good. Steven Hunter actually played pretty good against Yao. I figured you guys would roll over us since you have the Franchise and the Dynasty, our 2 weakest defensive areas. Congrats on the win.</div> Thanks. We played a good team game against you guys and you aall certainly gave us a much better fight then you gave the Timberwolves.
