Game 68 Recap: Lowry's 18 Off The Bench Gives Rockets Enough For 116-112 Victory Over Knicks
by Tom Martin on Mar 21, 2010 5:07 PM CDT
in Game Recaps
35 comments
This one got a little too close. Luckily, Aaron Brooks knows how to make shots that nearly hit the rafters before falling through the nets. And Kevin Martin is really, really good. So is Chase Budinger. And Jordan Hill. But, mostly, we can thank Kyle Lowry for being awesome.
Notice the pattern here? We're beginning to witness a return to balanced scoring. I liked our three-headed monster era while it lasted, but if one of those guys had a bad night, then the chances of snagging a win suddenly tanked. This growing distribution of points and minutes also bodes well for one Luis Scola. We like to see him on the court, but not for forty minutes per game every night.
This brings up an interesting debate under the long-term vs. short-term masthead: how much do the Rockets want show off Scola for potential free agent suitors? They're obviously trying to make a playoff run, and in this respect, playing Scola as often as possible is a no-brainer decision, end of story. But his numbers can get awfully inflated and (gasp!) attractive if he is getting star-level minutes on a nightly basis. Does this possibly affect our chances of re-signing him in the off-season? It's doubtful that the amount of money he is offered changes dramatically over one semester's worth of performances, but it's something to think about. The Rockets should and will continue to play blind to this scenario for the sake of, well, winning. But from a fan's perspective, you have to weigh the options, because on most days, there isn't a whole lot else to think about.
Also, I think Jordan Hill is quickly solving Scola's minutes issue quite aptly, by playing out of his mind. I'm hoping this keeps up.
Quickly, while the Knicks may have shot lights-out for most of the game, that was some pitiful defense. Yuck. Thank the lord that Bill Walker went 1-7 from behind the arc or else this could have been a tough L. As Jason Friedman tweeted, Danilo Gallnari wasn't this wide open during the three-point shootout.
(um... hey Tracy.)
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Shane?
Anyone know Shane Battier’s status?
Didn’t get to watch the game, but I’m really liking what I see from Jordan Hill. Once he gets locked in everyone will once again take a step back and bow down to the one and only Darryl Morey.
Disturbing trend developing
Whoever Martin is guarding is starting to really attack him.
Combine that w/Brooks inability to play defense and it looks like Yao’s going to be awfuuly busy next yr.
Had to laugh at beginning of game where McGrady was defending Chuck and the Rockets never got Chuck the ball. Still can’t decide whether that was smart basketball or not :)
Yea i noticed that too
Maybe its because he is relied upon to contribute a lot to the offense which probably makes him lazier on defense. But one thing for sure, he really needs to play better D.
What a good game
I must say though…where has the defense gone? I mean it should not have been that close. Maybe RA should think about starting Jefferies over Hayes just because we need a shot blocker out there. But all in all it was an entertaining game and AB came through big time after having played a really bad game. In the end, nothing makes me happier to see McLazy to miss his last shot and get blocked by JJ in the last couple of minutes. His performance just sums up his career so far: playing great when it does not matter but choke in the clutch.
last minute heroics
are great media and fan fodder but relying to much on it means there is something wrong. Esp if you’re playing new york. I am glad for the win, glad we had brooks, but not glad about how we played. We just played boston, and saw how d should be played, and instead of learning from it, we play this game happy we are not playing boston this time out. In the rush to score points, we forget to play d.
We are on the homestretch of the season, every game vital for most teams. Wether or not we make the play-offs is no longer the issue. It is how we can use these remaining good high intensity games in preparation for the much anticipated 2010 run. These are top notch training games, let’s maximize it. We need to learn the rudiments of playing good d now! Otherwise we become merely a good team even with yao in, not the contenders that we think we should be.
No Shot Blockers
We definitely need some more shot blockers out there. I know Yao will solve that next yr, but right now when Hill isn’t in the game, noone gets challenged at the rim. It was hard to watch the Knicks just waltz into the lane, I hope that changes next year
not just interior defense
even our perimeter defense sucks. We don’t need to have yao before we can address the problem, we just need a greater commitment to defense. As the great bill russel says, shot blocks is not the best d. #1 is deny the ball, #2 is alter shots, move your man out of his comfort zone, #3 shot block is last recourse as you risk fouls and free throws.
Our perimeter defense is bad because there is absolutely no downside to driving on us. It doesn’t matter how good a perimeter defender you are, you aren’t going to shut down a guy with a jump shot when you have no inside presence. There has to be something to make your man think twice about going around you. Otherwise there is nowhere you can play him—play off to stop the drive, and he’s going to burn you with perimeter shooting. Play in, and he’ll go around you without fear.
Going inside has to be a risk that they’re constantly weighing in their mind so that you can play farther in without giving up lots of drives to the basket.
Jordan Hill
Have only been able to watch one game since the trade, but everything I’ve seen and read looks great. You guys think this kid ends up being a stud?
by MadMartygan on Mar 21, 2010 6:35 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
It's certainly looking that way.
The minutes he’s gotten with the Rockets are the most significant he’s gotten all season, and he’s making the most of them. He looks like a rookie, sure, but he looks like a very good rookie.
Significant gravitas shortfall expected in 2010.
I would like to see him start instead of chuck maybe a game or two.
His post defense has improved tremendously, and he gives us size and offensive rebounding in the start of the game. Like this game in the first quarter, we started out slow and missed a ton of shots, but with hill in, we can get some offensive boards and some points even if we miss. His only weakness from what i have seen is his pick and roll defense. Too many times he has come out to help on the guard but forgets to go back to his man. David Lee got a lot of easy lay-ups and dunks because of that.
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
by Rockets 4 Life on Mar 21, 2010 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions
we going to call up jermaine taylor due to battier's injury??
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
when did he get hurt?
against the knicks?
by inquisitiveman on Mar 21, 2010 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Seems like Hayes
is becoming less and less important. I love the guy though, just don’t know how he fits in next year
return of Yao
I think we’ve all expected the defensive quality to go down this season with the faster pace, the departure of Artest(the physical defender), and Yao being out, but this is getting ridiculous, we’ve been allowing a lot of these 50+ opp FG% lately
But I think we all have to agree our change in style of play has a lot to do with that.
since JVG, we’ve had a
damn the touchpad
a system of zone-like aggressive help-defense on the perimeter that relied that Yao/Deke’s length to patrol the interior. Combine with occasional use Chuck Hayes ’s unbelievablej lower body strength and smarts, the savvy Bball IQ of Scola/Battier/other charge takers, we had a really formidable half court D(LBJ always had a hard time).
but without Yao and any length we really havent been able to play the kind of same kind defense/offense. We play faster, drive and fast break a lot more, play more possessions and allowed more drive to the baskets.
Yao’s return is going to change a lot of thing, we might become a half court team again, AB have to cope with some loss of touch and space, Martin’s never played with a decent big man, our defense could return to a better form.
It’ll be very interesting how our team will adapt with the return of Yao, since by now a good number of recent contributors(Hill, Ariza, Martin, Buddinger) has never played with him before
I think we could have two completely different styles
With Yao in, our former half-court offense.
With Andersen/Jeffries/Hayes, our current fast-paced up and down offense
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 21, 2010 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Our offensive has picked up since the trade but the defense has gone
south! We definitely need some low post defense or shot blocking. I do think we can beat the Lakers next week. That is a game im looking forward to!
by inquisitiveman on Mar 21, 2010 10:59 PM CDT reply actions
The answer to the lack of defense is sitting on our bench.
His name is Jared Jeffries. He’s 6-11, blocks shots and draws charging fouls. Also, Hill was an awesome acquisition that we need to utilize more.
Hey Les! We the people of H-Town want our logo and uniforms back!!!
by Start the Bench on Mar 21, 2010 11:58 PM CDT reply actions
JJ isn't the answer to our problems
But damn he played well down the stretch. This game really showed what JJ is known for around the league: defense. We saw short bursts of his offense earlier in the season after the trade, and I think I speak for everyone that it was more than enough, but tonight was all D, and it was great.
I don’t know how he’ll fit in next year, if at all, but he’s an all-around defender and I’m sure RA can find use for him (just not at that salary).
by RedRowdy420 on Mar 22, 2010 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions
If only
jeffries knew how to dunk the ball, he would be starter material. I’m serious.
"Hip-Thrust!"
can he take lessons
from Joey? I’m sure JJ can learn the gorilla dunk rather quickly.
by typhoon.infamous on Mar 22, 2010 6:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
But wherever the Gorilla Dunk is beloved, there you will find Joey Dorsey.
Also, wherever women get partially nekkid and dance for money, there also will you find Joey Dorsey.
Significant gravitas shortfall expected in 2010.
All I want to know is...
how the $&*) does Gallinari get away with guarding Brooks. Why doesn’t Brooks just blow by him?
Both Portland and San Antonio lost
So we REALLY have to win tomorrow to make up some ground on them
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 22, 2010 12:48 AM CDT reply actions
From the Knick's game recap at Posting and Toasting
He was also assigned to the small ‘n’ speedy Aaron Brooks for much of his floor time and did a marvelous job of staying in front of the little madman
Can we please make this AB’s official nickname?
Everything Kyle Lowry does reminds me of a puffer fish. Especially when he gets called for a foul and inflates into a giant, spiky balloon.
It’s funny because it’s true.
hope we dont choke again tomorrow
because that is what houston does againts whacked teams this season
With Shane out, we can alternate Chuck and JJ on the best player of the opposing team
Didn’t get to watch the game. When did Shane get injured? he’s the defensive leader of the team, directing the players where to go to help and recover. he’s being out of the game may have contributed to our being particularly lax on defense
what?
This growing distribution of points and minutes also bodes well for one Luis Scola. We like to see him on the court, but not for forty minutes per game every night.
Please note that this is Tom’s personal opinion and does not reflect the opinions of the rest of the moderators/writers on this site. Because any sane person would want Scola on the court for 48 minutes a game. ldo.
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