Game 23 Recap: Ariza, Rockets can't buy a basket, fall to Raptors 111-88
by Tom Martin on Dec 13, 2009 6:36 PM CST
in Game Recaps
16 comments
You know what's odd? People are going to credit Toronto's defense with this win. But isn't it funny that a team that shoots 36% from the field can still manage eighty-eight points? Though the Raptors may have improved their defense over the last couple of games, they only forced ten turnovers, and the Rockets were able to put up 87 shots, many of which were decidedly open. Once Houston finally started making the open shots, they were too far behind to make any sort of comeback.
Looking at the stat sheet, the Rockets' three point shooting, a paltry thirteen percent, screams out like its purely responsible for the terrible offensive output. But what you won't see are the numerous misses from point-blank range. Chuck Hayes has struggled recently around the rim, after getting off to a fantastic start in October and November, and folks like Ariza and Kyle Lowry missed layups as well. Like I said, it wasn't necessarily Toronto's defense that stifled us; we just missed shots that teams have to make to win games.
Once again, however, the blame cannot be placed on the shoulders of Carl Landry, who has been simply stunning. I don't care what Jet Terry is doing in Dallas; Landry's impact on our team off the bench has been much greater than Terry's in Dallas. Jonathan Feigen noted yesterday that Landry is second in the league in fourth-quarter scoring, at 6.6 points per game. Ahead of him on the list is Dwyane Wade. Behind him on the list is LeBron James. Go figure.
Even more amazing is the fact that Landry has been receiving additional attention over the last few games, and has still managed some of his best scoring outputs on the season. The Raptors piled up the paint today in an attempt to stop him, and he still collected 25 points to go with six offensive rebounds. If only the other Rockets could have helped him out by knocking down the open shots that they were given, then we may have been able to pull off one of those Philadelphia comebacks. If it were to happen against anyone, it would be Toronto.
That's all I've got for today. The only good news from this is that the loss wasn't a product of poor effort, but rather of poor shooting. You make some, you miss some - that's how basketball goes. However, if the Rockets want to continue their winning ways, guys like Chase Budinger, Dave Andersen, and Ariza had better start hitting those open shots more often.
Oh, and about that Ariza forearm? Whatever. He'll probably miss one game at the most. He's got to be frustrated with himself. Perhaps he will use it as motivation.
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No energy overall
The early afternoon schedule plus the travel must have factored in as even the bench (except for reliable Landry) couldn’t rescue the poor play of the starters.
If Ariza gets suspended for one game, then maybe TMac could lobby Adelman to let him in even that one game for now :-) We’re already shorthanded as it is.
oh yeahh
i dont care what everyone else has been saying about McGrady, i still want to see him play. hopefully, they’ll let him play and then he can prove himself
Bobby G is Sexy
With what Landry’s doing off the bench, I’d be loath to change it up. Of all the things not quite working on this team, Landry isn’t one of them.
by DribbleHooper on Dec 13, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
Never can tell.
He was supposed to start in Luis’ first game back from an eye-gouge. It might be worth trying a game or two with Landry starting, to see how it goes…
by DribbleHooper on Dec 13, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
We need more consistent perimeter shooting
on the starting line-up. With no outside shots, it’s very hard for Scola to operate inside.
Again IF Ariza is suspended, start Chase and let TMac come off the bench. Landry is already doing well coming off the bench and closing our games.
Give the other team credit
Yes, Rocket’s weren’t hitting open shots and score should have been a lot closer given the effort the team put out. However reading your article seems like you’re just giving poor excuses. Rockets put up 87 shots with 88 points. Raptors put up 80 and came up with 101. 7 less shots, 13 points more? Give Raptors credit, their offence was clicking. They also came up with key blocks at key moments, hence 9 – 2. Not saying they have the greatest d, but you can’t just write them off as a “you make some, you lose some” situation. This is a game rocket’s should have won and they didn’t.
I think the Raptors putting up 100 points was a foregone conclusion.
No point in me commending them for what they do every single game. Might as well make a note that each team put on their jersey prior to gametime, or that the game began with a tip-off.
I don’t see how it could have been anything different than a “miss some, lose some” situation. We put ourselves in great position to win and ran our offense well – our shots just didn’t go in. In watching every single game this season, I’ve picked up on what we try to do on offense, in getting efficient shot attempts and running the pick and roll. We did that just fine. The shots didn’t fall, and that’s where we are at fault.
The Dream Shake ...on Twitter.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
Ariza is reckless. Rudy Fernandez is rehabbing from a back injury that is reportedly due to the hit that Ariza took on him last March.
Trevor is a class guy, from all reports. He does, however, react poorly when frustrated… gotta work on that.
get well soon, big guy.
#52
portland fans' reaction to the Ariza/Fernandez thing last year was ridiculous.
Take a look at the video. Ariza made a play for the ball, Fernandez was in the air and took a bad fall. Roy, the Blazers, the crowd, and the announcers then proceeded to go nuts. That was in no way similar to this.
Rafer!!
From ESPN:
Trevor Ariza missed all nine of his field-goal attempts. The last Rockets player to shoot 0-for-9 or worse in one game was Rafer Alston, with an 0-for-11 performance against the Kings in April 2006. The last player to shoot 0-for-9 or worse at Air Canada Centre? That was Alston too. As a member of the Raptors, he went 0-for-12 in a loss to the Bucks in January 2005. Not to pile on needlessly, but for the record Alston shot 0-for-8 from the field in the Nets’ loss at Atlanta on Sunday.
It’s good to see The Dream Shake isn’t the only place that loves Rafer, I mean 0-fer!
by Nowujalo Meekah on Dec 14, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions
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