Game 81 Preview: Rockets at Kings
by ak2themax on Apr 12, 2010 8:00 AM CDT
in Game Previews
Email
PrintAh, Round 2. Remember when the Kings, Rockets, Grizzlies, and Hornets were all in the thick of the playoff hunt? Then around the All-Star break, the contenders started to pull away from the pretenders. The Hornets lost CP3 twice this season, the Rockets and Kings traded important players, and the Grizz are still the youngest team in the league.
So, though that this game means nothing, it will still mean something to these teams. I haven't watched the Kings recently, so I don't know if they're still playing with the same fire the Rockets are playing with.
The Suns game was the second time this season that I've predicted the Rockets to lose by 10 points. Both times have been exactly on the money. I will no longer be predicting the Rockets to lose by 10 points.
And, it's K-Mart's return to Sacramento, where he'll be greeted warmly, then proceed to torch his former team to the tune of 50 points. Sorry, just dreaming there.
Matchups!
Point Guard
Aaron Brooks vs. Beno Udrih:
Beno had been averaging 18 ppg before the Kings lost to Mavs recently and he only scored 10 points. That's not a big deal or anything. He's been playing very efficiently and has taken over more of the ball-handling duties away from Evans.
Aaron started out hot against the Suns, then kind of cooled off. He was absolutely getting attacked on those high pick-and-rolls, and the officials only called a few of them late. He was getting a shoulder in his chest on every possession, and I'm amazed that all he did was clap at the officials. I would have had some words to say. In fact, I did, but I was at home, so luckily they couldn't hear me.
Edge: Rockets
Shooting Guard
How good is Tyreke Evans? Well, he needs just 24 points in his final two games to join Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only rookies in NBA history to average 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. That's pretty good company, I'd say. I wish Shane wasn't injured so he could block Evans 8 more times tonight.
K-Mart is looking for his shot. I think he'll find it tonight.
Edge: Even
Small Forward
Trevor Ariza vs. Andres Nocioni
Nocioni missed the last game in Houston with a DUI suspension.
Trevor has been a beast in these last few games. I really like seeing him play more efficiently and aggressively. A good side effect of playing well is that his confidence is growing, so he's shooting the threes with more swagger, and they're going in because of it.
Ariza will probably guard Evans and K-Mart could slide down to face Nocioni.
Edge: Rockets
Power Forward
That even hurt to write. I'm still coming to the grips with the reality that Ole Toothache is no longer a Rocket. Nevertheless, I'm glad to see Landry as a starter in the NBA. He deserves it, and he's got a bright future ahead of him, whether it's in Sacramento or somewhere else.
As for the matchup, the respective skills of the dual identity that is Luis Landry has been beaten to death on the site. Landry has a better low post game, Scola is a better rebounder, etc.
Don't be surprised if Chuck ends up guarding Landry and Scola moves down to the 5 on defense.
Edge: Even-come on, what did you expect? It's Luis Landry!
Center
Chuck Hayes vs. Jason Thompson
Chuck never plays much against the Suns. He's not quick enought to guard Amare, and he isn't the kind of player who can get into a track meet. He should come out ready to play tonight, though.
At 23, Jason Thompson is a good young player. He averages 13/8, and most of his stats have improved over last year. We'll see next year what he is all about. Most players make that jump in their third year. AB and Landry are two examples, and the NBA is rife with others.
Edge: Even
Bench
Kings: Omri Casspi, Sean May, Francisco Garcia, Jon Brockman, Donte Greene, Ime Udoka.
Rockets: The usual
Edge: Rockets-they're awfully young over there on the Kings bench
Injuries
Kings: Spencer Hawes
Rockets: Shane, Yao
Prediction: Rockets take one in Sac-Town, win by 5
94 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I am really sorry about the bold
I cannot seem to be able to fix it.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
Yeah
I see that, but I don’t understand why my pre-jump stuff is fine.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
It's clearly gremlins.
I’ve also noticed that immediately after I post, things are properly normal/bolded. But once I refresh the page it goes to all bold. And your Sco-Landry paragraph appears to be in a different font. Damn gremlins.
Anyone else crossing their fingers for the win that puts us over .500?
I’m looking forward to the next two games more than any others since we fell out of playoff contention. Something something underrated something proving people wrong something something.
Apparently....
Kev has the flu… which is why he didn’t play much in the second half – not the fact that he was shooting horrifically! ;)
If ak2themax says we win...
Then we will win. Bows down to the Oracle
I hope Martin is well enough to start
There is a standing ovation waiting for him.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Do you think the Kings have a younger bench then the Rockets?
Hill, Bud, Lowry, Harris, Johnson, Jeffries…pretty young bunch!
C-Bud!!
BUD
BUD
BUD
BUD
BUD
BUD
BUD
BUD
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 6:19 PM CDT reply actions
ARIZA GETTING A CALL UP!!!
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
ARIZA
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 8:44 PM CDT reply actions
on nba coast to coast
they wer debating ROY…btwn Jennings and Evans…at the end of the debate the host said that he woulda went with Chase Budinger…(and the other guys said Who? sarcastically)…just thot that was
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Apr 12, 2010 9:11 PM CDT reply actions
Rockets posts/forwards are really good at that outlet.
And even better when Lowry is screaming for the ball. Chuck and Ariza really look downcourt once they get a defensive rebound.
Bud fouled on that three point attempt
He got hammered as or right after he released the ball and the ref missed it. Should have had three FTs
One of the Kings commenters seems clueless.
While the video was on the ref explaining to Carl that the T was for the elbow to the head, the announcer says “I don’t know what the magic word was, but they called that T awfully quick.”
Most NBA players get that first step
but I’ve seen an abnormal increase in travels over the last couple of weeks. Donte Greene just took 4 steps on that drive.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
Really missing Battier's D on Tyreke
he keeps blowing by us!
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:01 PM CDT reply actions
I think we're missing Ariza.
Reke got most of his points at the start when Martin was guarding him and now, when Lowry’s guarding him. Ariza did a pretty good job when he was in the game.
And I hate to say it...
…but I think that if the problem is someone “blowing past us” then that’s going to be Ariza’s guy more than Shane’s. Not that Shane isn’t exceptional, but if both are in the game I’d rather have Shane on a shooter and Ariza on a driver.
The last time we played the Kings
Battier completely shut down Evans. I’m too lazy to look up the stats, but he had something like 7 blocks in that game-3 on one possession. Evans was held to…forget it, i’m looking up the stats…9 points on 4-22! So he can guard drivers and stay in front of his man.
Remember last year, Shane on Lebron, held him to an awful shooting night and 0 assists and only 1 rebound? I mean who does that to the best player in the league? And Lebron is definitely a bulldozer himself.
So I guess, although I can see why you’d like Ariza on the driver, Battier has great lateral quickness, so he doesn’t even let his guy drive to the hole to begin with. And if he’s beat off the dribble he’s great at blocking the shot from behind.
So basically, on Tyreke I’d take Battier over Ariza any day.
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
:-)
I try
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow. Really can't belive
that this is the second-to-last game of the season. Wednesday is going to be an emotional day for me.
Rockets, Suns, and former Sonic fan. All equal to me.
Don't remind me
I’m already totally depressed. At least we have 2 months of playoffs to look forward to!
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Watching Landry next to Chuck, where Landry is clearly taller.
i know it’s been said tons of times how short Chuck is, but it still stuns me. Remember when Landry was our undersized PF? And he towers over our center?
Evans isn't earning himself my respect
by forcing up those shots in his pursuit of the 20-5-5 before halftime.
hey all, new here! just wondering whats going on.. Man, what happened to this Rocket D? Is Shane going to be here next year or is he a FA?
by Fan of the Game on Apr 12, 2010 10:30 PM CDT reply actions
He's not a FA.
There seems to be some debate as to whether he’ll be back or trade bait. I think he’ll be here.
I hope so
he’s a key veteran to any Championship contending team imo
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
It’s funny to me that Kevin’s old teammates fall for that sure-fire pump fake. You’d think they wouldn’t…
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:33 PM CDT reply actions
this whole game seems like everybody is lost on rotations..
by Fan of the Game on Apr 12, 2010 10:38 PM CDT reply actions
Martin with 30
possible he could hit 50?
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:38 PM CDT reply actions
Hahaha.
How many shots has Tyreke missed since he only had to make 1 for the 20-5-5? 3 or 4 just before halftime and a half dozen in the 3rd.
I feel bad for him
I just wish he would score already
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't.
He actually reminds me of T-Mac on those days when he decided that his teammates weren’t going to get it done. Sometimes it results in 40 points, but more often it results in a dozen stupid shots.
You know
I’ve always thought that too-Tyreke kinda of reminding you of T-mac. That’s why I felt bad for Landry going into Sacramento. I know he’s a starter now and everything. But i don’t think that the Kings system is really best fit for Landry.
Landry needs the ball in his hands, and with Evans dominating possessions he doesn’t get nearly the touches he did in Houston. He’s dropped out of leaders in fourth quarter scoring and they don’t use Landry right.
I admit I haven’t watched much Kings basketball this year, so I could be way off on this, but those are just my observations the few times I’ve watched.
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, his jumper certainly isn't McGrady-esque.
And I’m still not certain what was best for Landry. His peak seemed to be when he was Houston’s go-to guy but before the other team learned to double-team him. So I think that being the inside option on a team with Tyreke might be a better fit than sharing the court with Scola (and eventually Yao), it’s just that the Kings need to upgrade some of their complementary players to draw some attention away from him.
It’s easier for him to dominate in Houston when you’ve got Shane and ABZ draining enough 3s to keep the double teams honest.
and we finally lead
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:46 PM CDT reply actions
what the heck Ariza?
nice!
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:46 PM CDT reply actions
heat check
fail
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn you and your slightly faster TV feed!
I read that post right before the Rockets break that resulted in the miss.
lol, was thinking the same thing….Scola is open alot on those pick and rolls..wish somebody can deliver it to him
by Fan of the Game on Apr 12, 2010 10:48 PM CDT reply actions
40, 27, 18
scoring by quarter for the Kings…. would like to think our defense is getting better
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Apr 12, 2010 10:55 PM CDT reply actions
Adelman might not scream from the sidelines much.
But he makes some solid adjustments during the breaks.
True true
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
These Kings commentators
aren’t total homers. Not bad to listen to
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:06 PM CDT reply actions
Oh that was really funny
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Man, we've had some botched passes on alley-oops tonight.
Bud threw it behind Ariza earlier and Jeffries just bounced it off the rim.
That kid should have had a removeable "s" on his sign.
“Tyreke is 1 points away.” Dumbass kid. I guess they haven’t gotten to subject-verb agreement yet in his kindergarten.
Wuts happening, I can't watch the game...
All I know is the box score! Sumone tell me wut is happening. Congrats Tyreke!
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 11:15 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Rockets: pass around, Lowry drive, 3 or foul on Landry, repeat.
Kings: Beno dribble, Green/Casspi shoot, Tyreke ballhog, repeat.
Yeah that sounds about right
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Ariza is hot tonight!
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:16 PM CDT reply actions
rockets turning it over alot on fast breaks..could have been up more..
by Fan of the Game on Apr 12, 2010 11:17 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah, sloppy play from both teams.
Those breakaway dunks make both teams forget that back-to-back sloppy passes led up to it.
ARIZA!!!!!!!!!
Ariza!!!! Finally got a good game. I want 40 from k-mart.
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 11:17 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
"A night that Tyreke Evans will remember for the rest of his life."
Is it just me or is ensuring that you end the season with 20-5-5, impressive as that feat is, not something that makes for a memorable night? It isn’t something like scoring 55 or even dunking on LeBron: it’s not a single-night kind of accomplishment. He probably won’t remember much from his rookie year, and that 2nd free throw that gave him 1440 points for the season probably won’t be among the memories.
If anything
He’ll remember that he lost the game that gave him that average
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I like how
Adelmen went with Lowry down the stretch over Brooks. Went with the guy who was delivering.
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:24 PM CDT reply actions
Martin
so close to 40
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:25 PM CDT reply actions
Well, we're above .500.
Suck it, like, everyone.
by Moondebah on Apr 12, 2010 11:27 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Shot 100% from the FT line tonight
doesn’t happen to often with this team
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:29 PM CDT reply actions
Above 500!!!
Suck it Jalen Rose and everyone else at ESPN, TNT, ABC! I hate Ken Mauer, but he gave kevin 16 FT’s tonight which is crazy. Budinger is playing out of his mind and is showing people why ESPN compared him to Ray Allen.
A statement to the players of the Jazz and Mavericks: Please stop flopping all over the court.
by Rockets 4 Life on Apr 12, 2010 11:30 PM CDT reply actions
:)
I also freakin’ hate Ken Mauer. I’m pretty sure he got rigged games.
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 11:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Wish we coulda offered better competition tonight, but the goal was getting our rookie in the record books
I’m really glad you guys could get ANOTHER winning season in the bank, but honestly, the loss helps us more than hurts at this point. You can’t blame the coach drawing up all of those plays for Reke, that statistic is pretty important to our franchise.
Yeah, a high pick will do wonders for the Kings.
But I’m sure Tyreke wanted to clinch his stat in a wine.
yeah, true, but we killed our offense in the third trying to get him those 2 points
when he scores better in a normal game flow anyway
by VenomySnicket on Apr 13, 2010 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions
No good game! You guys gave us a run for our money in the first 3 q's
I’m just glad we came away with the win, cause at this point the difference in the 12 pick to the 14th probably isn’t much of a difference for us-especially when we’ve got a wizard GM who finds gold in the second round and a quasi-elite PG in the late first round.
But anyway, congrats to Tyreke! That’s an amazing record to hold and a huge deal for your franchise. I gotta agree with your couch, you guys will be in the playoffs sooner than most people think-and I look forward to those days, you have a great and obviously classy organization over there.
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Apr 12, 2010 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats to Tyreke for such a HUGE accomplishment...
…I expect to see him tearing up the league for years to come.
by DribbleHooper on Apr 13, 2010 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions
:)
WIN! Now time to rub it in that fa.g sad rockets reality in the recap! :)
by HoustonRockets4Eva on Apr 12, 2010 11:34 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Fun moments
I was at the game, and was amused (but not surprised) by all of the fans that suddenly didn’t like Kevin getting all of those foul calls anymore. We sure seemed to be OK with it for the past several years.
Martin got a standing ovation during introductions, and the Kings did a nice retrospective of him on the Jumbo Tron during and early timeout.
Godspeed, Speed.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Kind of suprised
That Jordan Hill has decreased PT the past few games.
Sac town actually has a lot of young capable talent, just inconsistent is all
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Dream Shake
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- The Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers? Gone till November
- The Jamaican national team reminds me that it has multiple NBA players
- Create-a-Caption: ‘Hey! Hey, I like your name!’
- A closer look at a big night for Brandon Bass, who ate well because Rajon Rondo kept feeding him
- Kevin Garnett takes a little shot at Philadelphia’s ‘fair-weather fans.’ His words, not ours (VIDEO)
