Game 15 Preview: New Orleans Hornets vs. Houston Rockets
by ak2themax on Jan 19, 2012 9:00 AM CST
in Game Previews
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PrintIt's the Rockets' seventh game in ten days. I can't even play 7 pickup games in 10 days, much less full 48-minute affairs (plus two overtimes). Of course, these guys get paid lots of money (as in, tens of dollars!) to keep in shape and play a game that involves placing a ball in a hoop. Sometimes I really wish I was 6-9. And athletic. And in shape. And coordinated. Okay, depression over.
It's back to .500 for the good guys, and tonight marks their first chance to rise above that number. In their way are the New Orleans Hornets, who have had one of the quietest offseasons in recent memory. Seriously, their offseason moves were more boring than the National Championship game played in...New Orleans! I know, I'm so smart.
As of this writing, the Hornets are 3-10 and playing against Memphis, so at least the Rockets will have a little more rest than their opponents.
And just think: the Hornets were this close to having a lineup that consisted of Dragic, Martin, Ariza, Landry, and Scola. Yeah, that almost happened. Then they would be really close to the ever-elusive all-white lineup. I'm going to see it one day, I tell you!*
*SB Nation and The Dream Shake do not endorse the all-white lineup due to potential backlash from politically correct groups. All views (crazy or otherwise) are those of the writer, who is crazy and is admitting it right now by actually writing this disclaimer.
Tip is at 7pm CST.
Matchups after the jump.
Matchups:
PG: Kyle Lowry vs. Jarrett Jack:
That's two games in a row where Lowry hasn't looked All-Universe. Time to trade him.
Jack is averaging 16/7/4. That's pretty darn good, but poor guy is probably just a holdover for the Hornets. Seems like a nice guy.
Advantage: Rockets
SG: Kevin Martin vs. Marco Belinelli:
You know what I hate hearing about upcoming opponents? That they've been shooting poorly. Weird, but as a Rockets fan I've been conditioned to expect them to have amazing bounceback games against us. Belinelli goes 5-7 from deep tonight. Count on it.
This is hilarious:
That is all.
Advantage: Rockets
SF: Chandler Parsons vs. Trevor Ariza:
Okay, so...Tip Dunk Eddy?
Against Handles?
Should be...interesting.
Advantage: Hornets
PF: Luis Scola vs. Carl Landry:
Landry comes off the bench, but he's really the power forward here.
I've never made a real choice when it comes to Luis Landry matchups, but tonight I'll say it's Scola's.
Advantage: Rockets
C: Samuel Dalembert vs. Emeka Okafor:
It's only even because Okafor always has career games against us. I don't think he will tonight, but respect has to be earned, and Okafor has done that.
Though Dalembert is like, good.
Advantage: Even
---
Bench:
Hornets: Jason Smith, Chris Kaman, Greivis Vasquez, Al-Farouq Aminu, DaJuan Summers, Gustavo Ayon
Rockets: Goran Dragic, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, Courtney Lee
Advantage: Even
Injuries/Inactives:
Hornets: Eric Gordon out
Rockets: Jordan Hill out (flu)
Prediction: Rockets 99-88
Make sure you get in on TCWHRO (we have to figure out another way to say that)'s fantasy basketball game. Details here. Just make your predictions in the comments, and maybe explain how you came to that conclusion so we have something to talk about.
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Rockets 108 New Orleans 91
I don’t believe NOH has enough firepower to keep up with the Rockets and all NOH has to offer defensively is Ariza and Okafor but we have enough to space and push. Too many angles to attack from.
Houston peaks over .500 and TDS goes into a flurry about how “We title now!”
Rockets win 104-95
Hornets will be gasses be the 4th. We get above .500. I’ll start getting the orange cones ready for the parade coming this summer!!
I predict Rockets win over 50 games.
This put a smile on my face, well done.
Been under a ton of stress lately so any laugh is worthwhile.
Ariza is just returning from
injury so i doubt he will play that big a part. They still have good players but we should be 8 and 7 after this game, they also played last nite. I just hope after we win people on here wont say the reason we won was because they did not have Paul and Tyson Chandler, like after we beat Portland someone said we only did so because Roy did not play.
by since86rocketsfan on Jan 19, 2012 9:53 AM CST reply actions
Yea he did have a good nite
he also played almost 40 minutes. With Bud starting i would worry, not so much with Parsons. he is great on defense and is really active around the rim,which will cause Ariza to play some d.
by since86rocketsfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:19 AM CST up reply actions
Who they have when we play them doesn't matter
Only wins and losses count. We destroyed the Spurs when they had Manu, and then without him they beat us. Makes no sense. We beat an undefeated Atlanta team before they lost Al Horford.
Could we have beaten the Blazers if they had Roy? Maybe. But remember we won without Lee, who would have guarded him. Injuries and the like are uncontrollable. If we went 82-0 next year but never played a full strength team, it would still count as 82-0.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
Exactly
with all the injuries that we have had the last few years, we could of complained about alot of games. Thats one of the reasons i pull for the rockets so much, because regardless if we have injuries, or whatever they still play hard and leave it all on the court.
by since86rocketsfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't waste time arguing that strawman point he made.
All I said was Portland was different when noted Rocket Killer Brandon Roy was on the floor for them. It got construed as me saying we didn’t deserve the win. Portland is easier to figure out without Brandon on the floor to take attention off LMA and I don’t think that’s really debatable.
Dont try to change your statement now,
if we go by your thinking then we should not get credit for the Atlanta win because Dominique did not play. Or when we blew out SA, they did not have David Robinson so our win was tainted. You are so stuck on just tearing up our team and trying to rebuild it, that you will not give credit, when it is due.
by since86rocketsfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
It’s a completely different Portland team. From slowest pace to super fast pace. The offense goes through Wallace and Aldridge and Felton.
You can’t just plug in B. Roy. It would completely change the team.
See, I don't see what's the big difference of Brandon Roy's bench role and Crawford's bench role.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
well, injured brandon roy, maybe
Then again, there’s an argument to be made that injured Roy last year still outplayed Jamal Crawford’s contributions this year.
Jamal Crawford is so overrated it hurts.
I agree, I hate his game.
I am talking about injured Brandon Roy, non injured Brandon Roy was a monster Crawford is nowhere near to being. They’re both “instant offense” players who take a lot of shots to get some runs going.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
Gonna miss another game..
I haven’t seen a full Rockets game since like The Spurs game or something.. I don’t even remember.
Rockets 109 – Hornets 92
Kaman isn’t starting for The Hornets? Weird.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
He's no where as good as Okafor
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
I haven't seem him play, but he was an All Star like 2 years ago.
Major drop off. Thought he was still at a 15/10ish level.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
15/8*
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
To be fair.
He didn’t deserve that all star selection.
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
rockets will defend home court
rockets 103-91 hornets
bellinelli and kaman to have big games. i’ll go with marco for the purpose of the TCWIR game.
I don't think he's doing that anymore...
It was just a one-time thing. I think.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
ak is right, it was just a daily double. I'll have more at random times.
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
Rockets 97- Hornets 89
Whatever
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
Should be an easy game
as long as the Rockets get out on the 3 point line defensively. Rockets win 105-92
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 19, 2012 10:41 AM CST reply actions
I like the article on chron.com talking about Dalembert
He gives the team so much confidence in defending. Everyone is more aggressive defending the perimeter now that they know someone has their back.
Is that really a shock?
I mean, we’ve noticed that for 2 years with the Center not being manned by a 7’6" giant. It’d be like the Chron running an article about how water is awesome cause it helps us live, no real revelation.
Who pissed in your cheerios this morning, BD?
by Only_A_Lad on Jan 19, 2012 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 8 recs
Birthday34 you have me rollin bro
this man right here has me rollin……i swear when i read dis cat i be laughin my donkey off(no cussin) dat man is tha truth
////Birthday34 for president\
put a D*ck in ur ear and F*ck wat u hurd
by mitmil22 on Jan 19, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
You remind me of why I write here still.
Thanks for every single post, man.
by BD34 on Jan 19, 2012 11:36 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
anytime bro......anytime (was dat dramatic) ((i used tha dots tha right way el oh el))
put a D*ck in ur ear and F*ck wat u hurd
by mitmil22 on Jan 19, 2012 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
i predict the Rockets
to win this one, although it will be surprisingly close: 97 – 94, with a tip-in dunk to ice it.
by galicae on Jan 19, 2012 11:08 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
This guy here
almost nailed it! What a call
by SpaceCityFan on Jan 20, 2012 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
That was a good article
in the chronicle. I knew by getting a big, it would really help out our defense. With him and Parsons now starting we now have 3 good defenders and 2 average. That makes a difference, and with Lee,Patterson,Dragic, and Hill we have pretty good defenders as well on the bench. I would like to see TWill with this get some time with this group.
by since86rocketsfan on Jan 19, 2012 11:12 AM CST reply actions
Rockets win 104-90
I think Ariza will be playing well in front of his old team.
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
Ahh you jumped me in fantasy.
Although it looks like we’ve created a large break from the rest of the league. I’ve only got one game today so you should open up a bigger lead unfortunately.
by Camouflage14 on Jan 19, 2012 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
If Motie comes over in March
The Rockets could roll out Dragic,Bud,Parsons,Scola,Motie.
And they can be matched against Lakers’ Blake,Kapono,Walton,McRoberts,Gasol. ;)
Play-Off vs Tank watch
1/2 game out of 8 spot
5 games ahead of worst 3 records
Has Motie been banging over in Europe? I remember the big thing with him is that he was more a stretch 4 than a 5.
I was hoping he was a 5. Just curious if you’ve been watching his games cause I’m genuinely interested.
less than a block per game, still shooting a lot from three
so probably just crashing the boards a lot.
But you don’t shoot 57% only taking jump shots, so he’s probably moving inside more.
Makes sense. My concern when we drafted him was it was another 4.
That whole “I care about the how” thing is just that if he can be an inside presence with a range but still play D, I’d be super happy.
I will say, we all know my stance on late draft picks but Euros are my happy exception that if you let them sit overseas for a little bit I tend to have faith that one can become franchise since the game adjusts and you basically have a different player anyhow.
He had the record for most rebounds in a Euroleague game if I am not mistaken
He is hitting the boards now, and with his offensive game, he should be very big for us next year.
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
by Rockets4LIFE on Jan 19, 2012 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
I worry about Motiejunas
I feel like he could be Dirk Nowitzki, but I also feel like he could turn out to be Matt Bonner.
I think he'll fall inbetween
Say Andrea Bargnani
by Camouflage14 on Jan 19, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
Rockets lose
101-95. Scola gets abused by Landry. Ariza crosses Chandler over and hits a dagger 3.
I hate david stern!
Thanks for that, Batman
I hope your trend continues.
Could you post that I *won’t * find $100 in my pocket, please?
by Slackary on Jan 19, 2012 12:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
nigros(no cussin) give me pound
dats a trending topic…..
put a D*ck in ur ear and F*ck wat u hurd
by mitmil22 on Jan 19, 2012 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Are you playing, Batman??
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions
Did you mean in the fantasy league?
Or was I kidding about my prediction? If it’s the latter then yea I guess. I have been wrong every time I chose a winner for one of our games so I felt I should keep picking wrong so we would win. Get it?
I hate david stern!
Ah....
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
Rockets Win 103-88
Without Gordon the hornets will have trouble to win games. Easy win for the good guys tonight.
The streak goes on
Rockets roll
101-88
by Slackary on Jan 19, 2012 12:44 PM CST via mobile reply actions
i'm going risky here
103 rockets 83 hornets
Lowry will dominate Jack, Lee will spark the bench and Dalembo will continue to own the paint.
Rockets 101 – Hornets 87…
.
I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...
.
Dedicated to the "Pride of the Steelers"
.
Chandler's got his eyes on ariza for the next tip slam
I got Rockets 98 – Hornets 91
Carl Landry will dominate the 4th quarter
Cause he’s an unstoppable beast, but the Rockets hang on to win 99-96
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jan 19, 2012 2:15 PM CST reply actions
rockets 103-94
Just hope we are not taking them too lightly
Rockets 105 NOH 97
Game ebs and flows with rockets getting control in the second half after a slow 1st. Martin gets hot in the 2nd half going for 25.
Rockets 2000 Hornets 1999
Okay…not really
Rockets 104 Hornets 92
My thoughts are like Brian Cushing on the field: Everywhere.
Hello, everyone. The rankings are still around the same, with Bonzo trying to creep up on Rockets4LIFE
And as for you new guys, you should be in here too. As always, lemme know if ya’ll see an issue
Rockets4LIFE-252
.Bonzo-246
ak2themax-228
OJ ATM-223
sohum-218
RiiseRockets-218
jake_471-204
twinkilling0303-202
dech-189
BD34-188
Dmo_Htx-185
BuckeyeBob-178
Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic-173
Camouflage14-160
Irish Trasher-153
btrizzle25-151
bone31crusher-151
craigj007-148
TWCIR-147
steeler-hater-146
Rockets7-142
VBG-139
galicae-138
jbars-132
Christopher Dion Harris-127
Rocketsfanforbasketballreasons88-122
arnold p-120
AIDe2356-116
A.J.G.-115
ehburrus-115
johnsmith-114
Slackary-113
Texas08-111
Mike Kerns-110
MeLioRate-110
AhForJustOneTime-110
Mellowman-110
tunatango-110
f22a4bandit-106
mitmil22-103
ShookednShanghaied11-102
AllenOU-96
makinmajik-96
Bighaircut-96
TiEaB-96
Mannan Ali-96
Valiant1-96
chuckiepoo-96
Nike86-96
olivarezq1-92
Rockets78-92
Xiane-92
taylorrohrman-92
lucneguye92-92
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:32 PM CST reply actions
I see an issue
Mostly that bd34 is not first in the rankings
by BD34 on Jan 19, 2012 5:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I see nothing wrong here. Carry on, good people
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
I'm trying for top 5
what were the rules about the score again? How many bonus points and how close do i have to be?
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 19, 2012 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
It's 10 for a win. 5 bonus points if you get within 5 points, up or down, or the winners score.
And you lose 4 if you get the wrong team.
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
5 games beck from the leader....
it might be hard to win this…..
I predicted
winning on a tip-dunk. Do I get any kind of bonus?
Indeed you do
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 21, 2012 8:06 AM CST up reply actions
And my own prediction is a decent game, good guys winning 103-95
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 19, 2012 5:34 PM CST reply actions
Very interested to see how Aminu plays.
I think he can still pan out into a good 3 in this league.
As for the game itself, I think Scola and Lowry are going to have big games.
Rockets win, 101-97
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
ok Rockets to win here but not too easy
Rockets 101 – Hornets 86
Is hill playing? i dont want us playing Bert to many mins, wonder will adren or HT get any mins to cover?
No Hill tonight
Out with the flu.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
Let's hope
Dalembert doesn’t get in foul trouble
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 19, 2012 6:23 PM CST up reply actions
Seems like McHale has chosen Adrien for now
And since the Hornets have size with Okafor and Kaman, Dalembert is going to have to stay out of foul trouble, no doubt about it. Though It’s not like Patterson can’t slide over and guard the 5. As long as it isn’t Luis…
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
I think PP can guard the Hornets big guys
just don’t know if he can get any rebounds
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 19, 2012 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
Minnesota is Working on the All-White Lineup
Rubio and Ridnour can play at PG and SG, Love and Milicic in the paint. They just need to swing a trade (perhaps for Budinger?) and they will steal the dream out from underneath the 90’s Jazz.
by seanbergmanrules on Jan 19, 2012 6:33 PM CST reply actions
If Brad Miller comes back
He’s a center who wants to be a point guard. We’ll meet in the middle and call him a SF.
Done.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
by ak2themax on Jan 19, 2012 6:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I have been going back and forth on this.... and I know Gordon is hurt....
but what’s a better backcourt Lowry, Martin or Jack, Gordon?
temporary avatar change...
Hmm, probably Lowry Martin
But Jack and Gordon are 28 and 23. They could be together longer…
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
Rockets 105 and Hornets 90
With Houston playing much better lately, albeit against lesser teams, and also with this game being played at home, I am predicting a tough, but good game until the Rockets pull away in the second half. Our starters are a little better than the Hornets’ starters. However, I see a really good advantage of the Rockets bench over the Hornets bench.
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