Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Staples Center TV: ABC ---------------------- Probable Starters: Steve Francis/Gary Payton Cuttino Mobley/Kobe Bryant Jim Jackson/Devean George Kelvin Cato/Stanislav Medvedenko Yao Ming/Shaquille O'Neal ---------------------------------- Injury Report: Rockets- John Amaechi-Out Adrian Griffin-Out Lakers- Rick Fox-Out Jamaal Sampson-Out Brian Cook-Out Karl Malone-Out ------------------- Keys to the game: Rockets- Houston's backcourt consists of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, and combined they score 33.3 points a game. So this shows that they will do some serious damage on the court if one of the two aren't guarded well. Jim Jackson is also a proven scorer for the Rockets. He's a journeyman vet that has been around this league very long so if he gets hot early, look for him to shoot as many FG attempts as possible. Since Karl Malone is out with his ankle injury, look for Houston's frontcourt of Kelvin Cato and Yao Ming to attack the low post, and control the glass. It should be an excellent matchup of centers as Yao and Shaq go at it again. Lakers- The Lakers return home to Staples Center where they have only lost once all year so far. So I expect them to come out with a ton of anger and really stick it to the Rockets. Gary Payton will have to do a better job of controlling the tempo, fastbreak opportunities, and better shot selections. At Oakland, it seemed they were out of control, so that has to be adjusted well. Kobe Bryant should have a decent game. I look for him to just be Kobe and do what he's capable of doing. If he gets cold in the first half, he should light it up in the second half. Since Malone is out, Slava will have to step up his game in a big way because the stats show with Malone gone, the opponent always wins over the rebound category. It will also be a tough challenge for Shaq since he's being guarded by someone 2 inches taller than him. But by the way Shaq dominates over people, who can really stop him? Laker Fever's prediction: The Staples Center is just a place where the Lakers simply don't lose. But they haven't been blowing out opponents like they used to earlier in the season. Lakers by 3. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Prophecy:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice Preview. Should be a great game. I predict Yao has a great game, and Rockets win by 4</div> Shaq has a great game and destroys Yao. Lakers win by 15+
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kosarkas:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq has a great game and destroys Yao. Lakers win by 15+</div> Wow thats a strong prediction, especially after what happened yesterday lol Nice preview... My prediction is in the Predictions Forum
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MVPlaya:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow thats a strong prediction, especially after what happened yesterday lol Nice preview... My prediction is in the Predictions Forum</div> Well everybody has bad days and so does shaq and the lakers. I belive in the team and i know they gonna win tommorrow, acutally they are not just gonna win but they are going murder Yao and rockets :twisted:
This game all depends how well Yao plays down low. If he plays well Rockets win by 5. If he doesn't Lakers by 3. it's just that simple IMO. Btw Nice Preview
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kosarkas:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq has a great game and destroys Yao. Lakers win by 15+</div> I think it will be funny when the Lakers lose. :thumbsup:
I will be rooting for the Rockets...but I'm going with the Lakers for the W. They are too good at home. They might be a little pissed after their loss last night, but then again, no one on that team seems to give a damn.
The outcome of the game depends on how many shots Yao gets. The Rockets cannot win if he only has 4 shots, the coach wants Yao to get the ball in the post and he should. I think if Yao scores 20 then the Rockets will win. However, I think Shaq will have a better game and prevent Yao from tearing it up. Should be a close game that comes down to the wire. Lakers by 5.
Lakers by 2. Karl Malone will really be missed, but because it's at home the Lakers should win and they still have Payton,Kobe and Shaq. Francis and Mobley will have just an average game between them with Payton and Kobe defending them. Both Yao and Shaq will play well, with a slight stat advantage going to Shaq.
The Rockets have been playing horrible at least. If they continue to play like they have the past few games they will get run out of the gym by the Lakers. The keys to the game for us are: 1. Get Yao the ball (4 shots will not cut it against the Lakers) 2. Good ball movement 3. Make open jumpshots (Rockets need to shoot above 42% to win) 4. Double Shaq on the low post 5. Force Kobe and Payton to settle for the long range jump shot 6. Pray The Lakers are amazing at home and the loss against Golden State only hurts the Rockets more. The Lakers will be fired up and will make sure they don't lose two straight. Im predicting a Lakers win by 7-11 points.
I say its going to be too much Yao. now Yao is experienced, focused and he has a feel for the game this year. Rockets will murder, unless kobe goes on another one of his 40 Point stints. But only this year i predict Kobe will turned his stint into a 50 point run this year. j/k
Lakers win by 12... Shaq has 62,29 and 16 blocks... all career-highs Lol, but I still think Shaq will outplay Yao in the post... He won't dominate like he did last year but I think his stats will still be better... When the Glove can contain Francis and they don't let him score 44 like last year Lakers will prevail...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Startellis:</div><div class="quote_post">shaq is scary.</div> You just figured that out :twisted:
Lakers win in a close fought game until the last couple minutes, when they pull away. Should be a good game. Shaq is gonna kill Yao.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers win in a close fought game until the last couple minutes, when they pull away. Should be a good game. Shaq is gonna kill Yao.</div> This is my feeling on the game tonight, the Rockets always seem to give the Lakers a hard time. They match up very well, don't expect a Laker blowout. Shaq-line: 33 pts. 16 reb. 5 ast. 4 blks.
I dunno, whatever happens, Shaq should handle Yao easy. Francis better play good tho. <font color="Blue">Edited - I think it would be better if you PMed him that Skip instead of post it on the boards. Thanks - dexter</font>
