Game 46 Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
by ak2themax on Jan 24, 2011 11:36 AM CST
in Game Previews
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PrintThe Rockets head north to the Land of the Lakes, with the bitter taste of devastating back-to-back defeats. One made me want to break stuff. The other made me want to (and then proceed to) stop watching entirely. You can anticipate this game being more favorable to Rockets fans, and certainly more watchable.
Minny is 10-33 and give up 108 points per game. So, expect a high scoring affair tonight. Understandably, the over/under is 220.What sucks is that the Wolves had four days off to get practice and rest, whereas the Rockets used yesterday as a travel day and are now currently freezing their butts off.
Obviously, the bright spot for the T-Wolves is Kevin Love, who will be looking for his 30th-consecutive double-double. He leads the league in rebounding and is a fringe all-star for sure. He and Scola will have a battle for relevancy. Scola usually loses these.
Matchups!
Matchups:
PG: Kyle Lowry vs. Luke Ridnour:
Ridnour is a very serviceable point guard. He manages the game well and can score when called upon. He is similar to Lowry in that respect. With the way Lowry has been playing, this is at best an even matchup.
Advantage: Even
SG: Kevin Martin vs. Corey Brewer:
No matter what Brewer does with his NBA career, I'll always remember him for that half-court shot that started a 3OT disaster in Houston last season. It was a game that had no business being as close as it was, but you know the Rockets. Win a game handily? As if!
Advantage: Rockets
SF: Shane Battier vs. Michael Beasley:
Beasley is averaging 21/6/2. His shooting is up, as is his energy. I saw him when he was at K-State when the Wildcats came down to Lubbock. He just seems like he doesn't care, but don't hold that against him. I hate to bring up the name, but Carlos Beltran is a similar player. He just makes it look effortless sometimes, and we perceive it as a lack of caring. He was tossed from their last game, so maybe he is starting to take the leadership role that Minny needs from him.
Advantage: T-Wolves
PF: Luis Scola vs. Kevin Love:
What's not to love about this guy? He was considered undersized. He's not really athletic. He is always improving, so you can be sure he works hard in the offseason. He's averaging 21/16, and leads the league in rebounding, which is a hustle stat. I like the guy, and I think Coach K should have played him more during the FIBA Worlds.
Advantage: T-Wolves
C: Chuck Hayes vs. Darko Milicic:
Darko is actually having a good year. His stats don't show it, but I've watched a couple of Minny games and I can see more confidence there. You gotta feel bad for the guy. Not only did he fall flat on his face, but the other four guys in the top 5 that year (LeBron, Melo, D-Wade, and Bosh) are stars in the league now.
But TCWiR is gonna be happy today. Any chance I get to give Chuck the advantage has to happen.
Advantage: Rockets
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Bench:
T-Wolves: Jonny Flynn, Ricky Rubio, Wayne Ellington, Martell Webster, Wesley Johnson, Anthony Tolliver, Kosta Koufos, Nikola Pekovic
Rockets: Aaron Brooks, Courtney Lee, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson
Advantage: T-Wolves since Rockets bench has been awful as of late
Injuries:
T-Wolves: Milicic questionable, Pekovic questionable
Rockets: Brad Miller out
Prognosis: Probably bad
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how could he be hurt
it’s not like he gets any game time
he doesn't play unless it's a blowout
The bench is really just for guys in the rotation. That’s why I took out Jeffries.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
No
but I think ak2themax left him out cause RA never lets him play
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jan 24, 2011 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
He doesn't play because we are showcasing Bud right now.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
We are......
he’s been on the trading block since December. We’ve been wanting to get rid of him for a while.
Why don’t you believe it?
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
I believe the Rockets are willing to trade him. Perhaps it’s even a priority, but I don’t believe anyone’s minutes are being dictated by a desire to make him look good to outsiders.
Why do you think T-Will is not playing?
Adelman and Morey aren’t dumb enough to play Bud over Williams. They are because they have to showcase him, to get as much as they can get for him.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 25, 2011 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
http://www.canishoopus.com/2011/1/24/1953126/tims-game-preview-game-44-houston-rockets#storyjump
I will now step aside. you may have the last word if you wish.
That's irrelevant...
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 25, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
Because clearly the more rational belief
is that Adelman hates Williams and there’s some major conspiracy to fritter away his career out of spite, right?
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
on the other hand, Williams was buried on the bench and couldn’t get any minutes in NJ, then he’s buried on the bench and can’t get minutes in Houston. Why is it irrational to think the coaches in both places simply think others deserve minutes more?
Bud’s minutes have been consistent all season (perhaps even dropped in the last month or so), and Williams is shooting 39% on the year.
Depends on how big your horse blinders are on
His minutes issue in NJ is easy to see, it was attitude related. In Houston, no such connotation and his attitude has been very open. He’s shooting 39% on the year but in how much action? I’m sure if I pay attention to one very small sample size of something in your life I can draw several negative conclusions, but I don’t because I’m smarter than to base my claim on someone else on more than a limited showing.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
I only meant that in very limited action, Williams hasn’t lit it up at a level that would demand more minutes. And I don’t pretend to know the details of williams work ethic or relationship with RA, as you seem to. But when two coaches in the same season reach the same conclusion, the easiest conclusion is that they’re both seeing the same thing.
If I'm not a thinking man
you’re absolutely right, but then again, I am. He’s not seeing consistent minutes, he’s not seeing valuable minutes, do you expect 70% shooting in his 20 minutes total as a Rocket? It’s obvious attitude problems were the issue in Jersey, no clue what’s going on in Houston outside of a showcasing of other players for a trade.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
fwiw
you should check out the red94 videos that rahat is putting up.
t-will is not exactly polite in those interviews, but i can see where that’s coming from since he wants to earn his paycheck.
i personally think a guy with his desire/arrogance/ego would be good for our team. i think our team is very solid and very professional but is really a little too soft to be successful in the longterm.
could be a close one!
we really need more production from the backcourt. aaron brooks has to step up his game! scoring of the bench is critical. chucky hayes need to work on kevin love, he’s a beast!
@ahmed
i don’t think he’s hurt, but he was DNP for the most of last week. i would love to see him, gettin’ more minutes on the court. he has the potential to be a huge factor for houston. a few weeks ago in new jersey, he was sent to the d-league for three games, he averaged a triple-double – i know it’s the d-leauge, but this guy has huge upside!
@all
i know my grammer is not the best, but i hope you know what i wanted to say ;-)
Agreed with all of it
and don’t worry about the grammar. You are certainly not the worst here. Not by a long shot. And AB has been absolutely terrible since Boston.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
I always told people not to say Beasley is a bust
He just had to leave Miami. D Wade was not the kind of guy Beasley could pair with.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
Imagine if he had been playing with Minn since he was drafted
he could be better than he is now.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
I'm still not sure
that he’s a number one star for a team. He’s a classic second or third option, but at the same time it didn’t work in Miami, so I don’t know what his ceiling really is.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
I sure am excited to find out
I loved his game in college and hoped they would be the Cinderella team to make it to the final four.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
i think his major problems were what he was doing in his spare time
it seems he has cleaned up his act a bit after maturing; that or he is just managing it better.
Of course seeing the Chuckwagon get the advantage makes my day.
how could I not? After being named the manliest man on this here blog, this is the icing on the cake!
The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us. ~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes
by TheChuckwagonisrolling on Jan 24, 2011 1:37 PM CST reply actions
Ish Smith
has been recalled and is available for today’s game. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets_recall_ish_smith_2011_01_24.html
Probably still wont play though
I think there is just room on the roster because Jeffries is out with a hyper-extended knee.
Good point...
But it could also raise questions about who will go and who will stay in the near future…
MEMO TO ROCKETS FANS!
Don’t Waste your time trying to “negotiate” with Denver for a “package” for Carmelo Anthony. Its not happening. The only thing youll accomplish is distracting your players from winning games forcing your gm to eventually hold Pokhorov-type press conference. Focus on realistic goals; Getting players that aren’t New York-born superstars to help your injury-depleted squad. GO _ KNICKS!
What does NY have to offer to Denver?
The only piece you guys have is Gallinari.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 2:31 PM CST up reply actions
its not matter of what we have to offer...its a matter of he doesnt want to play for your ________ team(as the nets found out). He wants to play for the Knicks.
Do you want me to translate this in Spanish and Greek? Because those are the only two languages I speak fluently.
by Alleyhoopster on Jan 24, 2011 2:33 PM CST up reply actions
Fine,
he does not want to play for us(even though he has not said it). We still have much better trade pieces than NY does.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
congratulations, you have better trade pieces. must be fun to hang on your wall and stare at all day.
by Alleyhoopster on Jan 24, 2011 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
Why did you come over here again?
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
dude,
One winning season and this is how u talk?
Enjoy this ‘trading places’ season. I hope ny does well cuz I know, whatever the current situation, our front office has shows a consistant dedication to winning, and we’ll meet again at the finals……and whoop y’all again.
Listen, just wait at least a few yrs before u start running your mouth. Otherwise, when ur inept execs screw y’all over again, u won’t look so damn stupid.
Everyone wants to play in ny, huh?
Remind me again why they chose amare over wade or james, or even johnson or bosh? When was it they were all begging to play for the niks and were turned down for amare?
I lived in ny, that town deserves a good team and better representation on this blog.
by ShookednShanghaied11 on Jan 25, 2011 10:34 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
who's going to houston top scorer tonight
by Edwin AnDre Johnson Capron on Jan 24, 2011 2:06 PM CST reply actions
gutsy choice!
Name both of the team’s top scorers!
Someone other than those 2 has been the top (overall) scorer in a game exactly twice all year. (Brooks did it with 24 against Boston and Miller did it way back in November.)
Isn't it about time you hopped off his dick?
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Jan 24, 2011 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
here we go again
another punk ass bastard trying to start shit with me when i didn’t say a damn word to his bitch ass. shut the fuck up and keep your bitch ass comments to yourself instead of trying to sound cool on the internet running your fat ass mouth because you know you wouldn’t do it in public. Go find a girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever you prefer and get off my dick. AB is my favorite player on the rockets and if you have a problem with that then do something about it.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
by batman713 on Jan 24, 2011 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
I noticed that alot on here
people goin ape shit over comments and being very demeaning when its mostly questions or opinion.
by IrishThrasher on Jan 24, 2011 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know
I’ve seen tons of demeaning comments before, but “Isn’t it time you hopped off his dick?” is kind of a straight insult. Specifically, the AB love that Batman713 has is a target by many. Others don’t like him, but Bruce Wayne is just sticking up for his guy.
I mean, Adam Morrison is my favorite player and everyone gives me shit about it all the time.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
Wilford Brimley wouldn't
Brothers in beetus.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
I really feel like this could have been more tastefully done
but I’m with you on the AB Bullshit and its need to stop.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
Wolves fan here
Funny game thread – good stuff!
If you venture over the Canis Hoopus, keep in mind TimAllen’s game threads are always ridiculous & highly satirical. So don’t get bent out of shape if you read it. Wolves fans know that in reality our team is in terrible shape.
Should be an interesting game tonight.
Two of the thinnest wings in the NBA going up against each other.
Some random guard/wing always kills the Wolves from three point land. Any nominees who it will be?
Pekovic vs. Hayes could be epic. Talk about a All-Beef triple pounder matchup.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Jan 24, 2011 5:00 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Chase Buddinger?
he is as random as they come
I was hoping i can say T-will, but no such luck
Take a look at this post over from Canis Hoopus and try to laugh harder than I did.
http://www.canishoopus.com/2011/1/24/1953126/tims-game-preview-game-44-houston-rockets#storyjump
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
Reading it and yelling
“It’s a trap!”
Laughing at the craziness of the previews. Those are hilarious, and way past my simpleton mind’s ability to conjure on a daily basis.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
by ak2themax on Jan 24, 2011 6:44 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if I could yield something similar
I’ve shown a propensity for sarcasm and insane comparisons.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
I'm with Amivy
Your ass got trolled super hard and I almost busted a nut laughing at the process.
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
Also, for you
I don't usually plan out my days because the word "premeditation" gets thrown around a lot in courts today.
by BD34 on Jan 24, 2011 7:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Is the stadium howling?
Also this is our gamethread right?
"Sometimes the things that make you great, also make you an asshole."
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