<font size="4"><div align="center">Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks</div></font> Our beloved Houston Rockets travel off to Hotlanta to face the struggling Atlanta Hawks in today?s second game of a back-to-back. The Rockets are looking to slide over the .500 mark with a victory today. Atlanta, on the other hand, is looking for their second victory. For the Rockets, they are still looking to find an identity for themselves as a team and coach Jeff Van Gundy is still looking for a reliable rotation for his ballclub. <u> Center</u> The Rockets are still looking for consistency out of center Yao Ming. After positing consecutive games of 25 and 32 points, respectively, Ming came up with a horrendous 6 point, 2 rebound effort against an inferior New Jersey team. He still has not learned how to apply himself alongside Tracy McGrady, but he should still easily win tonight?s matchup against the Hawks? Jason Collier. Collier, a former Rocket, is a nice shooter for his size but simply does not have the height or quickness to matchup against Yao. If the Rockets are playing smart basketball, expect to see Yao get 20-25 shots tonight against a weak Hawks frontline. Advantage: Houston. <u> Power Forward</u> Hawks forward Antoine Walker is clearly the go-to guy for Atlanta, and he?s having a nice season, posting 22 points/game, 8.7 rebounds/game and 3.8 assists/game while shooting 44% from the floor. His versatility could be a problem tonight for the Rockets? Maurice Taylor, who does not have the quickness or lateral movement to stay with Walker. What Taylor can do is make Walker play defense, which is by no means his strong point. Taylor must learn to stay out of foul trouble, which he has a nice habit of getting into. Advantage: Atlanta. <u>Small Forward</u> Rockets forward Jim Jackson has been maddeningly inconsistent thus far this season. However, he is coming off an 18 point night last night versus the Nets, where he shot 6-10 from the floor, and 3-5 from downtown. He?ll have a hard matchup against the Hawks? physical Al Harrington, who can both shoot and post up with equal ability. Jackson will have a difficult time guarding Harrington in the post, and if the Hawks manage to get Jackson in foul trouble, it will be a long night at this position for Houston. Advantage: Atlanta. <u>Shooting Guard</u> Rockets guard Tracy McGrady is playing in his second game after sitting two games out due to injury. McGrady should have his way with the Hawks? inexperienced starter Boris Diaw, who is neither athletic nor physical enough to contain or matchup against T-Mac. It would be wise for the Rockets to run a lot of 2-man game with Yao/McGrady to exploit the weaknesses of Collier and Diaw. But expect McGrady to be aggressive and get back into his rhythm by attacking the weak corp of the Hawks? backcourt. Advantage: Houston. <u>Point Guard</u> This matchup between Charlie Ward and Kenny Anderson is pretty much a wash. Both players are on the downside of their careers; however Anderson works without the ball more now that Walker and Harrington demand so much attention. Ward will likely be the help defense as the Rockets would be smart to make Anderson beat them instead of Walker or Harrington. Whoever plays well at this position could be the deciding factor in the game since the teams pretty much even out at the other positions. Advantage: Even <u><div align="center">Keys To The Game</div></u> For Atlanta, it?s pretty simple. Limit Yao?s touches and force McGrady to shoot jump shots. Make Charlie Ward, Jim Jackson and Maurice Taylor beat you, and force Yao and Tracy out of their rhythm. On offense, push the ball because the Rockets can be easily exploited in transition defense and attack the boards since the Rockets have been lethargic in the rebounding department. For Houston, force Harrington and Walker to take a great majority of their shots from the perimeter. Walker has a tendency to fall in love with the trey so force him to shoot and not put the ball on the floor. Force Harrington to beat you from midrange and not post-up. Limit transition opportunities and make Atlanta play halfcourt offense and defense. <div align="center"> Outcome Rockets 94 Hawks 78</div>
