Game 28 - Houston Rockets at New Jersey Nets Monday December 22 6:30 PM CST

by UofTOrange on Dec 22, 2008 11:30 AM CST in Game Previews

Houston Rockets at New Jersey Nets, Dec 22, 2008 6:30 PM CST

Game_28_-_nets_header_medium

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Brooks - He has fared very well in his two big tests as a starter so far. Now he is matched up with a guy with similar quicks, but more size. It is going to be interesting. I think Harris will get his, but Brooks will not let Rockets fans down. He knows this is his audition for the permanent starting job for next season. He is very driven
vs.
Harris - I've said it before, I'll say it again, the Jason Kidd trade for the Mavericks is a top 10 stupidest trade of all time. Harris is lighting it up in New Jersey. He can't win games by himself though, actually, since they have won 13, maybe he can.
Edge: Nets

Shooting Guard
McGrady vs. Carter - I'm going to put this into one. In the history of the cousin war, Tracy has dominated. You can look here if you don't believe me. 6 more points, more rebounds, assists, blocks, a better shooting percentage and less turnovers. I think Carter was unecessarily lambasted for being selfish for getting his degree (which is what he should have done), but sine then has decided that if they already think he's selfish, than he's just going to be selfish.
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Battier - Shane does everything better and costs 4 million dollars less a year
vs.
Simmons - For 10 million dollars you too can have a 7 points and 4 rebounds small forward!
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - Tough night in Minnesota, and all four of his fouls were legit calls (unlike how he normally is called for 2 phantom ones). I don't understand why he ever gets less than 25 minutes a game though. He'll bounce back strong tonight, I have no doubt of that.
vs.
Jianlian - Not the next Yao Ming, not even close
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - If Yao scores 20 points tonight and grabs 23 rebounds he will be averaging a 20 and 10 for the season. His numbers have climbed up steadily all season long. The team is finally running the offense through him more often than not. I appreciate that.
vs.
Lopez - He's been shining brightly since joining the Nets. He's one of those rare players that seem obvious that they will be good pros even though they were overrated college players
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Artest - Ron won the game for the Rockets against Minny. He could very well do the same tonight
vs.
Dooling - I have nothing to say here other than he has had a much longer career out of Missouri than I thought he would
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
DTD - Rafer is still DTD but I don't think he will play tonight. He shouldn't anyway. Better to have him back on the second night of the back to back against the better team.

New Jersey Nets
OUT - None

Poll

As of right now, the Rockets are on pace for about 55 wins. Is that okay with you as a Rockets fan? Did you expect more? Less?

About right

38 votes

I expected more

49 votes

I expected less

3 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

we are one team...

The Rockets might be one of a handful of teams that can match up well with Devin Harris. Aaron Brooks can certainly stay in front of him. Our game plan needs to be to get Vince Carter to shoot 24 foot fadeaways all night.

by grungedave on Dec 22, 2008 3:59 PM CST reply actions

Houston Rockets - New Jersey Nets

Houston Rockets – New Jersey Nets
Live

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by milleniumprince on Dec 22, 2008 6:36 PM CST reply actions

I expected more than 55 wins but I’m fine with that total. The win total doesn’t bother me too much, it’s about the playoffs after all these years.

http://nbaroundtable.wordpress.com/

by NBR on Dec 22, 2008 7:20 PM CST reply actions

I’m not wild about that Landry-Hayes combination. I was happy with Scola at center and Landry at power forward to start the second quarter, I think that combination is better for the second unit. At least until Deke returns (hopefully).

A dominant first half for the Rockets against New Jersey.

http://nbaroundtable.wordpress.com/

by NBR on Dec 22, 2008 7:21 PM CST reply actions

I’m a fan of Artest coming off the bench these last few games. The balance of the squad looks better.

http://nbaroundtable.wordpress.com/

by NBR on Dec 22, 2008 7:25 PM CST reply actions

did I see that right?

Yao took a charge and they did NOT call the foul on Yao?!?!

wow.

Oh, I see Ms. Palmer is our ref. AGAIN. Seriously, WTF?

by grungedave on Dec 22, 2008 8:03 PM CST reply actions

Ya, that's just crazy

by UofTOrange on Dec 22, 2008 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

I apparently forgot to start the recording of the game. Not good

But at least when I turned it on the Rockets were up by 20!

by UofTOrange on Dec 22, 2008 8:05 PM CST reply actions

Hey, there's one of those phantom Scola foul calls

by Only_A_Lad on Dec 22, 2008 8:10 PM CST reply actions

Yep, that is awful. How big of a shame is it that Palmer isn't even the worst official in the league as bad as she is?

by UofTOrange on Dec 22, 2008 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

Why don't the Nets

do with Chris Douglas-Roberts what the Rockets did with Tomjanovich? Just put CDR on the jersey.

by Only_A_Lad on Dec 22, 2008 8:12 PM CST reply actions

Good question

It’s a different NBA, and that’s not a good thing. I was just thinking the other day that I need a “Rudy T” 45 jersey

by UofTOrange on Dec 22, 2008 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, Stern and Co. would probably have a huge problem with something like that.

I understand not wanting to just have straight-up nicknames on jerseys. It would be really lame for McGrady to wear “T-Mac” or for Artest to wear “Crazy Pills” (actually, that would be cool), but surely an exception could be made for a modern version of Rudy T.

And, yes, having a classic Tomjanovich jersey would be really hardcore.

by Only_A_Lad on Dec 22, 2008 8:19 PM CST up reply actions