Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies By SupraJames Friday, Nov 5th. 7:30PM EST Probable Starters: Rockets: Yao Ming Juwan Howard Jim Jackson Tracy McGrady Charlie Ward Memphis: Lorenzen Wright Pau Gasol James Posey Mike Miller Jason Williams Injuries/Suspensions: Rockets: Bob Sura Memphis Grizzlies: None. Keys to the game: Houston Rockets: - Produce from outside. The Grizzlies were number 1 last year in blocked shots as a team. The Rockets shooters must hit their outside shots or it will be a tough game for them to win. - Contain Gasol. The Grizzlies have plenty decent big bodies up front, however it's obvious that their star is Pau Gasol. Pau has recently started to play tougher on offense and it is imperative that the Rockets contain him. - Take advantage of Tracy McGrady. There is no single player in the Grizzlies that can guard Tmac one on one. The Rockets must take advantage of Tmac's ability to penetrate and score. Tracy should be the only one penetrating and creating for the Rockets. Memphis Grizzlies: - Shut down Tracy McGrady. The Grizzlies will have to find a way to collectively shut down McGrady or at least hold him to 20 points if they want to build a comfortable lead against the Rockets. - Establish paint presence. With so many able big men in the roster, Memphis must take advantage by making smart rotations down low, keep their frontcourt fresh and have them produce to the max. - Swarm Yao. As it is the case with any teams playing Houston, the Grizzlies will have to keep going at Yao and clobber him with their plethora of big man. Prediction: 90 - 80 Grizzlies. The Rockets started the season with a tough matchup against the reigning NBA champions and suffered a disappointing loss on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors, which didn't even make the Eastern Conference last year. It won't be easy for the Rockets to win this game. They are still not gelling together as a team. Tmac even said so after their loss to Toronto: "I'm waiting for Yao to do his thing in the post. He's waiting for me to attack,'' McGrady said. "Did I think it was going to click right away? Not at all.'' It will be one of the toughest early season for the Rockets. They need to be able to play together as a team, cut down on silly turnovers, and have Yao play free from his elbow injury. Historically however, the Grizzlies have the edge on Houston with pretty much the same roster while Houston has 9 new players in their roster. They will have to play well as a team to have any chance on winning this game. That, or let McGrady go loose and ride on him like when he was back in Orlando.
Nice preview, Trip. I just have one minor correction; Mike Miller backs up Bonzi Wells this season. They switched it up. I'll be at the game and should give you guys a good report on how it went tomorrow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice preview, Trip. I just have one minor correction; Mike Miller backs up Bonzi Wells this season. They switched it up. I'll be at the game and should give you guys a good report on how it went tomorrow. </div> I didn't write it, SupraJames did, just that I'm posting it. It seems now that the Grizz are losing. Hope you're enjoying the game even with Memphis losing.
