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Game 8 - Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns Wednesday November 12 9:30PM CST

Img_4429_tiny by UofTOrange on in Game Previews

Game_8_phoenix_header_medium

 

The Matchups:

Alston vs. Nash – This match up shouldn’t even be given that moniker.  We’re talking about a multiple MVP award winning PG vs., well, a never award winning PG.  Alston has not been the reason the Rockets have 3 losses, but he’s also not the reason they have 4 wins.  He’s just out there. 
Edge – Suns – I have nothing more to say

McGrady vs. Bell – McGrady has been either very on, or very off this year.  Unfortunately he was very off in our last two games.  He’s still better than Raja Bell, and is no way that a knock on Bell.  He’s actually one of the most underrated players in the league in my opinion.  I really like his game, he’s a player that you hate on one team but would love on yours.  Kind of like Matt Harpring, but he’s a lot better than that.
Edge – Rockets - Tracy played some good games last year against Phoenix, look for more of the same tonight.

Artest vs. Barnes – Artest has shown us the best and the worst of his offensive game.  I’m not sure he’s shown us the best of his defense, but he’s been nothing short of solid on that end in any game.  His energy is always there, but you can see that he’s not sure exactly how he should fit into our offense schemes.  Frankly, I don’t blame him, we’re completely disjointed there.  Barnes is a good player, good energy and fun to watch on the court.  I still can’t believe he’s on the Suns now. 
Edge – Rockets – Pretty simple pick here

Scola vs. Stoudemire – Scola has arguably been our best player so far this year.  Other than the Clippers game where he was taken out of the mix with fouls (including his daily 2 fouls that are absolutely ridiculous), he has been taken out of the game when he has been dominating.  His usage on the court makes absolutely no sense to me.  When he’s out there the offense seems to flow.  I know that Landry has been solid too, but you will never explain to me why you sit a guy shooting 7/10 (this has happened twice) for extended periods of time. 
Edge – Suns – Stoudemire is scary good on the offensive end, one of the most gifted players in the league.  Luckily he doesn‘t really play D so Scola will have open looks.

Yao vs. Shaq - Yao has not always risen to the challenge all the way with Shaq.  I don’t’ like being a whiner, but referees poorly officiate Shaq.  The do about 10 times worse officiating Yao.  It’s never more evident than in games where the two matchup.  In those games Shaq shot 110 free throws to Yao’s 45.  That’s laughable on every possible level.
Edge – Rockets – Yao has actually played pretty well the last few games, with poor rotations getting him out of rhythm and poor offensive usage getting him out of his real position. 

My prediction – An embarrassed Tracy McGrady absolutely goes off tonight.  Rockets win it with his scoring and everyone else’s defense. 

 

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Have you guys

ever not picked the Rockets to win?

Have fun and see ya on the flip side!

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Nov 12, 2008 7:40 PM CST   0 recs

yeah

We picked us to lose the Lakers game.

by grungedave on Nov 12, 2008 7:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

4r shizzle

But first, I am looking forward to Amare’s lock down D and perhaps Leandro can get a block on Yao. He is a bit taller then Nate but he’s got limited up’s. Enough I think though to stuff the big guy :)

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Nov 12, 2008 8:07 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

dude...

I think I could block Yao’s shot right now. He is more grounded than a 15 year old who missed curfew right now.

by grungedave on Nov 12, 2008 9:08 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

What up what up

I’m here tonight, being that we’re on national TV!

Also – um, Rudy Fernandez is fucking ridiculous.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 9:36 PM CST   0 recs

Tap-tap-tap

Is this thing on?

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:00 PM CST   0 recs

Just got caught up in the game

Sorry, had to put the boys to sleep

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:07 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah.

In the pre-game, they said the Rockets big three had a “meeting” of some sort to admit they weren’t all comfortable on the court together yet.

Apparently everything is all good, and they just decided to feed whoever has the hot hand.

I’ll believe it when I see it… and I wonder how much of that report was true.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:14 PM CST   0 recs

I think the plan with Scola

Is to put him on the bench in the 4th quarter when he’s hot. But nice try.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:16 PM CST   0 recs

Did that woman just tell us

That Shane Battier is stitching his own clothing?

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:16 PM CST   0 recs

Aaron Brooks

Missing a free throw? Has Calvin Murphy taught you nothing about being a midget in the NBA? You can’t EVER miss a free throw

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:17 PM CST   0 recs

Aaron Brooks is 6 feet tall in the same world that

Tracy McGrady is a good 3 pointer shooter

Luis Scola gets to play in the 4th quarter

And

Chuck Hayes is a good free throw shooter

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:23 PM CST   0 recs

That's an awful call on Barnes

But I like it

I don’t like that Tracy feels he has to do that to have a chance to score though

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:34 PM CST   0 recs

Shaq’s looking good so far. Nash has been a little quiet, though…

by Jeffrey on Nov 12, 2008 10:43 PM CST   0 recs

Yao is outplaying him, he has 11 rebounds already.

Not to take anything away from Shaq, he is playing hard.

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:45 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Just looked this up out of curiosity

Chuck Hayes and the worst shooting form in the history of free throws : 56.9% career FT shooter

Shaq: 52.5%

That’s just messed up

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:47 PM CST   0 recs

Yao is in great shape

Shaq is fat.

Yet – both seemingly in the same kind of basketball shape.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:47 PM CST   0 recs

Yep, Yao still hasn't gotten there

But he sure looks a lot livelier today than he has in any game not against Dallas so far this year

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Man, the talk radio in Houston is crazy right now

I don’t know if you ever stream the Houston radio shows – but you should hear people talking like the season is in serious jeopardy right now. Trade Yao! Trade Tracy! Just like every single other year. I don’t know WTF it is with Houston sports fan – of which I’m a lifelong one – but man, it angers me.

We’ve played SEVEN games with freaking RON ARTEST having joined our team!!

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:56 PM CST   0 recs

The average radio listener is an idiot

That’s why I like 1560, they actually call people out when they are stupid.

I should be fair, Charlie Pallilo does too

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:58 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, idiot is one way to put it, LOL

I wish Lance Z’s show matched up to my schedule.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 12, 2008 10:59 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Is it time?

DHo had 30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks tonight. Is it time for me to say that he is better than Yao? Is that even a knock on Yao?

Head to head Yao will still destroy him though. So does that mean Yao’s still better?

by UofTOrange on Nov 12, 2008 10:56 PM CST   0 recs