Game 68 Preview: Rockets at Knicks
by ak2themax on Mar 20, 2010 11:08 PM CDT
in Game Previews
79 comments
It's the Return of the Mack. T-Mac, that is. This game might be a little similar to the Kings game when Landry was with them. Except it's in New York. And Rockets fans don't really like T-Mac as much as Landry. And the Knicks didn't really like Jordan Hill. Other than that, the exact same situation.
That playoff spot seems to slip further and further away every day. These Rockets have been a surprise, but I don't see a big-time run to close out the season. But, I've been wrong about this team before. You never know.
The Knicks are all about LeBronapalooza. Or, at the very least, the summer of Joe Johnson/Amare. I'm not convinced LeBron will leave Cleveland, but don't tell the New York media. Unfortunately, the team is so focused on superstars they won't be getting their best player, David Lee, back next year. Guy's a stud.
Also, day games suck. Even in the City that Never Sleeps.
Matchups:
PG: Aaron Brooks vs. Toney Douglas:
Douglas is a rookie out of Florida State. He's only played in 43 games and is averaging 7/2/2. Sounds like a guard who's about to get destroyed by AB to me.
Advantage: Rockets
SG: Kevin Martin vs. Tracy McGrady aka Battle of the Hyphens:
I really don't want to go into T-Mac. He's such a polarizing figure for Rockets fans. I've got friends who hate his guts and I've got friends that wish the Rockets had given him more of a chance. I want the guy to succeed, but it was time for him to move on.
With the Knicks, T-Mac is averaging 11/4/4 on 40% shooting. K-Mart is averaging 23/4/3 on 43% shooting. Seems to me like the Rockets won that position in the deal, though T-Mac is logging about 10 fewer minutes a game. He went scoreless against the 76ers, and I expect him to be fired up anyway. I say he has a good game. Still, with Shane and Trevor guarding him I like our chances.
Advantage: Rockets
SF: Trevor Ariza vs. Danilo Gallinari:
Advantage: Rockets
PF: Luis Scola vs. Al Harrington:
Harrington's been playing well lately. The Mike D'Antoni offense really suits bigs who can shoot, and Harrington can shoot. I don't know how the Rockets will guard him, but Andersen or Hill can probably guard him on the perimeter.
He's putting up 18/6 a game, but he could cause a matchup problem for us. Still, Luis Scola is a beast (still) and will make him look silly on the other end of the court. Remember, D'Antoni doesn't believe in disciplined defense like other coaches. It's not like the Knicks play matador defense, but Luis's shots will come easier than normal.
Advantage: Rockets
C: Chuck Hayes vs. David Lee:
Advantage: Knicks, with strings attached
---
Bench:
Knicks: Sergio Rodriguez, Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens, Chris Duhon. Doesn't sound very imposing, does it?
Rockets: The usual
Advantage: Rockets, as usual
Injuries:
Knicks: Bender (broken finger), Lee (patellar tendinitis), Wilson Chandler (groin), Eddie House (sore Achilles' tendon), Eddy Curry (obesity)
Rockets: Besides Yao?
Prediction: Rockets win by 10, but it's not that close.
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Eddy Curry
LOL. Couldn’t stop laughing at that one. Anyways, the Rockets should cruise through this one. I remember last time we played we were coming off a 3 game losing streak in January that the Knicks helped us snap.
the start of this game may be rough
Games that start at noon are always sluggish. And with McGrady holding the ball for 20 seconds every NY possession, that may make it even worse……
knick fan here
not to get all nitpicky… but here I go being nitpicky
a) Most of us liked Jordan Hill. It was a shame to lose him and I think he has the ability to be a solid NBA player. Mike D not playing him more is one of the legit knocks against the coach.
b) You are underestimating Toney. Dude is on a roll and just took over the starting job like a weekish ago. Not saying he will blow Brooks away… but if you think he will be destroyed, you are going to be disappointed.
c) I like DLee, but no stud is he. Dude doesnt play Defense and tends to get alot of garbage boards. He is a solid player and all, but he is going to be seriously overpaid this offseason. He is a very divisive figure in KnickLand. As some want him back at all costs and others dont want him at all.
d) FactCheck: bender is out. done for season. He started 1 game for us while DLee was sitting. Not that big a loss. However, how he broke his finger just added to his legend to us:
from my man furhy over on posting and toasting in the comments of the game recap:
“That Bender broke his finger and barely changed his 90’s tough guy expression, then scored on the other end, broken finger and all, in a move featuring getting his own rebounding, dribbling once with both hands and dunking. He and his broken digit were then led into the lockerroom, apparently done for the season. But in my mind this just adds to the ‘Legs’ legend and he just earned himself a spot on next years roster.”
there is more, but its real nice out and Im gonna go get some sun before the game.
Good luck to you guys, this should be a good game.
just one opinion
But I loved Toney Douglas’ game at FSU. He’s solid. And I would have loved for the Rockets to pick him up… but ABZ is going to abuse him. So long as “abuse” doesn’t mean a FT competition with the game on the line.
Douglas is a rookie out of Florida State. He's only played in 43 games and is averaging 7/2/2. Sounds like a guard who's about to get destroyed by AB to me.
yea right..rockets fan please watch Toney Douglas Do What Toney Douglas Do all over Aaron Brooks face and mouth area
<follow me @theinfamousazad
yea
Douglas is really underrated, kind of like AB was in his first 2 years, but Brooks is leading the league in 3’s at 39% and he’s much quicker than Tony. ak’s previews are a little biased at times, but he means well.
"Hip-Thrust!"
A little biased!
Take that back. They are completely biased.
Also, I was wrong about Toney Douglas. I apologize.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
apology accepted
lol..if d’antoni played him at all earlier in the season, he mightve made a name for himself
<follow me @theinfamousazad
Rockets fan in arkansas.
What’s the score? i’m away from the house, how r we doing?
by arky-chief on Mar 21, 2010 1:06 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Quickie Half Recap
Rockets slept thru 1Q and were down 17.
Lowry came in,jump-started Rockets and Rockets went beserk getting 45-yes 45!-points in 2Q.
Anybody know what happened to Battier?
I’m watching it in a different language
hyperextended knee
I’m guessing he’s done for the year, assuming we don’t make playoffs.
Minnesotan Rockets fan
Did anyone ever think...
they would see a Rockets team that loves to run and score 60 in the first half?
Same could be said about our defense. Did anyone ever think that the rox are NOT gonna be a defensive power?
by RocketsAstros on Mar 21, 2010 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Anybody know about Kevin's shoulder?
He is playing so it can’t be that bad, but i still wanna know why he is wearing a shoulder pad.
Just read on twitter
that Battier has a hyper-extended knee. Won’t return
too bad
at least it means more time for Bud
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah they should just shut Battier down
playoff chances are slim, and he’s earned the right to sit and be healthy for a title run next year
by danielcp0303 on Mar 21, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Chuck
is pwning at the start of this q :)
Toney Douglas getting his career high
nice defense Brooks
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 1:43 PM CDT reply actions
On a number of occasions
this year a player got a career high or a “career game” against us.
by RocketsAstros on Mar 21, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Where is Anderson?
Is he out or something?
Yeah i agree about Jefferies
As soon as they put him and lowry in, the defense got a lot better. But I’d still like to see Anderson hit a couple of 3’s
by danielcp0303 on Mar 21, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah same
Even though Andersen’s D has improved significantly, there is more to be desired.
by RocketsAstros on Mar 21, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
We've allowed
at least 30pts per quarter. To the Knicks.
We need JVG to make an appearance in the Rockets locker room and straighten them up.
Coach Sleepy
needs to wake up and put Scola back in!
Brooks!!!!!!!!!
He’s always been willing to take the last shots…now he’s making them. He might be clutch after all
Jefferies sticking it to his old team lol
i wonder what the Knicks Girl will think
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
Turnover Douglas, more JJ defense
he might be a keeper. He’s like Lowry on defense
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 2:23 PM CDT reply actions
Just looked at the box score
wow what an uncharacteristically bad day for Scola given his recent performance. 4 points and just 1 rebound! David Lee probably owned him.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 2:25 PM CDT reply actions
Brooks put us on top late
but this doesn’t even happen if our bench doesn’t produce.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 2:26 PM CDT reply actions
Hitting that game winner vs. Denver
has really given Brooks a huge boast of confidence. He’s been playing terrific since then-excluding the Boston game of course-especially in the clutch
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
Maybe
Scola’s just tired from all the awesome he’s been dishing out recently.
Finally
we stepped up on D and had a great quarter!
Nice comeback
I was probably going to throw the towel on this season if we lost this game.
by goingforthecorner on Mar 21, 2010 2:28 PM CDT reply actions
I gotta give props to the little man
I’ve said it many times, Brooks is not a closer, but today he showed he’s made great strides to become one.
Jeffries scored no points but was a beast on defense, both him and Hill showed off against their former team. The bench got us this game, and good timing, the starters will be rested for tomorrow’s game
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 21, 2010 2:33 PM CDT reply actions
Headline title on NBA.com
“Rockets stick it to McGrady, Knicks” Indeed we did. Great game, glad we decided to play defense the last 3 minutes
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
Jordan Hill had a great game.
13 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists. not to mention his +/- was +24. ariza is quietly fitting into that role that he had in LA. he was 5-9 from the field for 12 points; he had 7 boards, 6 assists, and 3 steals, and only 1 turnover. not bad numbers for him. if he continues to put up 12-15 point range per night on a fair amount of shots taken, it makes our team better. kmart had 28 on 15 shots which is a amazing, but 7 turnovers is ridiculous and should never happen.
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
and...
Imagine if Hill had heard D’Antoni’s “bad rookie” comment before the game instead of after… Hill might have brought the rim down in anger.
I didn't hear about D'Antoni's comments.
Can you tell me what he said about Hill?
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
by Rockets 4 Life on Mar 21, 2010 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Here's a link
Basically, Hill said D’Antoni didn’t give him an opportunity to play. Sounded a little petty. But he also said he understood and was waiting patiently for his turn in NYC.
D’Antoni then said, “I don’t play bad rookies. I play good rookies.” He also later said he wished Jordan the best and said he liked him. These things happen all the time in the NBA. Hill will probably always have an issue with D’Antoni, who probably doesn’t give a shit.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
I bet he is eating his words right now.
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
by Rockets 4 Life on Mar 21, 2010 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t know what anyone else here thinks but…
… I am prouder of this Rockets team than of any other squad since the 2 title teams of 1994 & 1995.
In a season where the expectations of this team by most observers were very low, they have done so much better than most expected. And that’s even if they do not somehow manage to grab the 8th seed.
I can hardly wait for next season and (God willing) a healthy Yao and (hopefully) a stud rookie or two from the upcoming draft to round out this already solid looking young team…
I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...
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