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Game 12 - Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks Wednesday 7:00PM CST

Game_12_-_mavericks_header_with_tmac_medium

I'm assuming that all three guys are playing tonight.  If not, I still think the Rockets are better, even with Von Wafer in the lineup.  The X factor, as always in Mavs/Rockets games is Jason Terry.  When he gets it going the Rockets usually have problems.  The Mavericks defense has been horrendous this year, letting up almost 100 points a game while only scoring 98.  As of today, the Rockets defense is letting up the least points in the league at almost 89.

The Match-ups:

Alston vs. Kidd: Kidd is old and beaten down, but still averaging 10 and 8 a game.  Rafer is a mediocre player, but is at 9 and 4.  His defense hasn't been as good this year, but it's still been solid. 
Edge: Even - I think Rafer is one of the few guys that is strong enough to D up Kidd, that's the only reason I'm calling it even.

McGrady vs. Green/Wright:  Tracy, you are slowly killing me, seriously man, stop getting hurt.  I don't think I can go through this for another 2 seasons.  And nobody is going to trade for you with all these ailments.  Not that we should trade him, not saying that at all, but if it doesn't work out this year (at LEAST round 2 of the playoffs), that will be what we try to do to get his number off the books.  Gerald Green wasn't good enough to make this team.  Antoine Wright is extremely athletic, but got a better education in HS than at A&M according to him.  Sorry, just had to throw that out there for a few of my Aggie friends. 
Edge: Rockets - Even a hobbled McGrady will be forced to destroy these two

Artest vs. Howard: This should be the best match-up of the night.  I know I keep saying that with Artest, but it is true.  While he hasn't been the scoring boost we thought he would be to date, he has done all of the little things right.  Those little things are the real reason that Daryl Morey brought him to Houston.  Howard has been outstanding so far this year.  He won't sing the national anthem, but he does score 20 and board 8 a game.  His free throw percentage is the only thing off about his offense right now.  His defense is suspect, but he always brings a little extra against the Rockets.
Edge: Even - Howard's offense vs. Artest's defense

Scola vs. Nowitzki: Dirk is shooting the worst percentage of his career this year but has chosen to just shoot more to keep his scoring up.  He's still the best scoring power forward in the league.  He can't guard Scola though, and I'm hoping that Adelman is starting to see that Scola could easily average 18 on this team and 20 on a team without so many scorers.  His minutes have been up the last two games and it has paid big dividends on the court. 
Edge: Mavericks - Dirk is one of my favorite players in the league.  Yes, he's a flopper, but he at least does it with style like Battier.

Yao vs. Dampier: I'm not even going to comment anymore this season on this match-up, it's not a match-up, it's a mismatch.  Erick Dampier isn't qualified to even be on the court with Yao.
Edge: Rockets - Again, Erick Dampier sucks, badly

My prediction:  Rockets win, even with our three hobbled stars overall Houston just has too much for the Mavericks if they play their game.  Of course, I said something

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Mavs had to play last night @ Charlotte

As long as our big guys are healthy enough to play well, we should win this in convincing fashion. Hopefully our team defense that swarmed the Hornets shows up again today.

by goingforthecorner on Nov 19, 2008 10:36 AM CST   0 recs

I'll just say it now

If the Rockets lose tonight (with or without McGrady),
I will cry. A lot.

by grungedave on Nov 19, 2008 11:04 AM CST   0 recs

Yao out tonight
Here’s what we know so far: Yao Ming (foot) is probably out this evening, as the team is taking a precautionary approach with his sore left foot. Meanwhile, Tracy McGrady (knee) and Ron Artest (ankle) are definitely playing, but it’s difficult to know just how effective they’ll be or how many minutes their bodies will allow them to spend on the floor.

Landry at center? or Hayes at the 4 moving Scola to the 5?

by Cornholio on Nov 19, 2008 1:17 PM CST   0 recs

Watching the pre-game stuff

I’m always amazed at how well JVG speaks of Daryl Morey and the Rockets. I wouldn’t speak that highly of the guy who fired me.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:07 PM CST   0 recs

Never thought we should have fired him.

…and i didn’t much care for the Adelman hire.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:08 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I understand the rationale behind it.

JVG was primarily a defensive coach, and Adelman has a reputation as good on offense. The Rockets naturally have good defense, so adding offensive movement is a good idea.

Whether or not that’s panning out right now, I don’t know.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:12 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well, what else is he going to say?

Me, I’ll take a defensive coach over an offensive coach every day of the week.

But really – with the talent we have now, a big name like Adelman should be able to make it work.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:16 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If he wanted to, I'm sure he could send the message that Adelman was a poor choice.

And, given the way that Van Gundy repeatedly spoke his mind while a coach, I suspect that JVG really means that he’s a good coach.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:19 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I don't dispute that.

I miss JVG also for what you just mentioned -he was a good quote. He also repeatedly spoke very highly of the city of Houston (and still lives there) so of course I love the guy for that.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Looks like Toyota Center is less than half full

…also – Tracy McGrady gets the call to jump for the tip-off? Seriously?

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:07 PM CST   0 recs

It's a Wednesday night.

Who wants to go to a game on a Wednesday? Even if it is against Dallas.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:12 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Maybe that will finally make him shut his mouth

Every time he’s on the screen, it looks like he’s a slack-jawed yokel.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Come on, JVG

You know Battier’s red jacket is bitchin’.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:35 PM CST   0 recs

Rafer has looked really good thus far

Unfortunately, our defense is bad and the Mavericks aren’t missing any open looks

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:36 PM CST   0 recs

Nice block from Scola

bad shot from Barry

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:40 PM CST   0 recs

Huh?

I didn’t know you could get called for a moving pick when you have the ball- or at least I’ve never seen it get called before

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:41 PM CST   0 recs

Mark Cuban needs to shut his damn mouth

Not going to be laughing when he gets busted for either breach of contract or insider trading.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 7:41 PM CST   0 recs

I've always rather liked Cuban

I know he runs Dallas, and can be a whiny bitch, but I wouldn’t mind have him owning one of my teams. (Not to dis Les, of course- he’s been great)

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:44 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Horrible pass

Barry has been simply awful tonight

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:45 PM CST   0 recs

Really, wtf was that

And please – contest the layup. It’s not like Barry is going to foul out.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

That's probably why I like Von Wafer so much

I have NOT been at all impressed with Barry or Head thus far

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:48 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

So at this point is it safe to assume Tracy is hurt again?

He hasn’t played a minute in the 2nd, has he?

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:49 PM CST   0 recs

Well he's defnitely hurt

The question is how bad it is.

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well, yeah

You know what I mean though – safe to say he’s done for this game it looks like. Unless that Phoenix doctor can teleport to Houston for halftime.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:53 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Speak of the Devil

of course, as soon as you say that he’s back

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

This is ridiculous

Dallas is a butter-soft team, and even without Yao there’s no reason they should be running us off our own court right now. Come on.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:53 PM CST   0 recs

Well there you go - he can barely reach the rim.

Good thing he was the guy who jumped for the opening tip.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 7:58 PM CST   0 recs

Look at our starting lineup

Would you have jumped Artest? Scola?

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 7:59 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

The jump ball is just stupid

Go to a coin flip and alternating possessions

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:05 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I love JVG

he says he was thinking about putting bikes in the locker room, and then jokes that that’s why he got fired.

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 8:31 PM CST   0 recs

He is a fantastic basketball mind

He is the only announcer in the NBA that I actually listen to when they talk.

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well I love his analysis

but I also love that he can joke about getting fired. I like Rick Adelman, but I still miss JVG

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 8:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

You and me both

We have one of the few guys I can live with if we were going to let JVG go

And let’s be fair, even JVG said he handled it poorly. He was offered the chance to stay, he didn’t respond, they said they have to another route if he wasn’t already positive.

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Maybe it wasn't a good enough offer? I don't know.

I just know that I was PISSED when he left. I effing love JVG.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 8:45 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not from what I understand

It was more about his desire to coach any more. He works HARD. He has said that he gets 3 hours of sleep a night during the season, never sees his family and usually sleeps at the stadium. I think he really wondered if he wanted to do that anymore. Ultimately I think he realized he did.

However, you also have to add in how poor some of CD’s moves were towards the end as well. If you told him he was getting Artest, Scola and Landry you damn well better believe he would have answered yes.

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I respect that.

… and I really respect that it’s not even an option for him to change his routine and not continue to go by that intense schedule. I mean, let’s be honest – a great coach like JVG could still be a very good coach if he went at it 80% of the way he does.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 8:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If Hayes fouls out

then Adelman may, indeed, be forced to unleash the Kraken.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 19, 2008 8:45 PM CST   0 recs

I know he can be a douche

But I still love everything about Cuban

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:54 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I do to. I think he's GREAT for the league.

I mean – a fan who literally bought his favorite team. You can’t beat that.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 8:55 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

And he does more for his team than anyone else

by UofTOrange on Nov 19, 2008 8:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Bobcats last night

I didn’t witness it, but they scored 10 points. Against Dallas

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 8:57 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

this was the 1st quarter, of course

Their starting lineup ended up scoring 26 (!) points the entire game.

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 8:58 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Uh... whoa.

Is Adam Morrison even still in the league? Larry Brown can’t do anything with that bunch.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 19, 2008 8:59 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Comeback

We need a 4th quarter comeback!

by Daniel C on Nov 19, 2008 8:59 PM CST   0 recs

The game does feel within reach, though

Our defense has been much better- we just need to hit open shots

by jack_ on Nov 19, 2008 9:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

We were misfiring on all cylinders in the 3rd. Even the rectangular ones.

by Daniel C on Nov 19, 2008 9:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs