The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Alston - Please stop sucking completely in every way, please
vs.
Bibby - Will probably have his way with Rafer tonight
Edge: Hawks

Shooting Guard
McGrady - I know he's not actually playing, mostly because he's 29 and broken down.  A horse would have been put to sleep by now.  But I had to vent so I put him here.  You are a complete baby Tracy McGrady.  I want to write an entire post about what a waste of space you are on the court right now but can't make myself do it because I want you to be good so badly.  You make 21 million freaking dollars a year and yet you are a quitter, a whiner and basically a little bitch.  You don't like the effort of other players?  Say something, don't join them.  You don't like not getting the ball?  How about you do something other than standing 7 feet outside the 3 point line.  You are pathetic, right now I have absolutely no respect for you.  21 million dollars?  Seriously?  You owe it to my kid that watches the game with me to play like a man.  I don't care if you don't want to be a role model, for 21 million dollars that's the job you have.
vs.
Johnson - Better by about 80% than Tracy McGrady right now with only 80% of his talent
Edge: Hawks

Small Forward
Artest - I'm begging you Ron, go Crazy Pills.  Yell at every single player not named Yao on the team.  Go nuts.  Get a tech.  Hell get kicked out of the game because the refs keep letting other teams kill you.
vs.
Williams - He's not that good
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - One of the few players playing hard still.  Unfortuantely no one gets him the ball when he's hot, and no one takes advantage of him being the only player on the team willing to rebound all game.
vs.
Smith - Insane athlete, not insane basketball knowledge
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - Dunk on someone, please big man.  Get angry, you were getting some primo position and then as you got hit more and more stopped working as hard for it.  Still, you work harder than anyone else on the team, so it's hard to get on you.
vs.
Horford - His actual skill is really good, but his motor is better.  That's a good combo
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Brooks - START SHOOTING AGAIN AARON.  Stop letting a few missed shots get into your head.  Unlike Tracy McGrady you are actually a good shooter
vs.
Pachulia - Please piss Yao off tonight.  Pretty please?
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - Shane Battier, rest up sir, we are going to need you down the stretch

Atlant
DTD -None

The Match-ups: I just realized this is the first of 3 back to backs.  Thanks NBA schedule makers, you're fantastic!  6 games in 10 nights too, 3 of which Tracy McGrady is expected to sit out. 

On a side note, the Rockets are 21-12, with the 8th best record in the NBA, with a win they'd be around 6th.  Why are we so disappointed?  I think it's because of the way they have lost when they did lose those 12 games.  More to come on that next week.

I'm not high on this Raptors team at all.  I think they are overloaded with good but not great players and they don't have their hearts in it this year.

Point Guard
Alston - Rafer is keeping his starting job with defense.  It's been very solid and I like that he's playing it hard.
vs.
Calderon - Not nearly as good as they thought he would be this year.  I'd venture to say that Raptors fans miss a certain former Longhorn.
Edge: Raptors - He's still better than Rafer

Shooting Guard
McGrady - I'm not going to vent here.  I want to, but I'm not going to.  I'm assuming he plays tonight but not tomorrow against the Hawks.  That's probably good, means he won't have to run as much.
vs.
Kapono - Sat out the last game with a thigh bruise but should play tonight.  I like the guy, but I'm not sure he's a starter on too many other teams that aren't deep and just need a shooter which he is very good at.  For example, he would rule on the Rockets.
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Artest - He's becoming more and more disappointed with this team.  Frankly I hope he has an outburst.  One of the things I liked about him coming here is his passion.  You can see it in his eyes that he is upset, now it's time to unleash the fury. 
vs.
Moon - I'm not really sure why people were so excited about him last year.  He's a decent player with insane athleticism.  Those guys are on every pick up court in America. 
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - Filling his role extremely well.  With Battier out, more offense is needed from him though. 
vs.
Bosh - I thought he could carry a team, but I'm not seeing it.  Maybe his best bet really is to join Lebron in New York or Brooklyn.
Edge: Raptors

Center
Yao - He needs 19 rebounds and 20 points tonight to be a 20/10 guy again.  Can he do it?  It will really depend on how badly the Raptors shoot, but if he gets 13-14 tonight, he'll surpass 10 per game in the Hawks game
vs.
O'Neal - Once a dominant player, now a shell of his former self.  Do you think Kobe prays every night thanking God for not sending him to the Celtics for Odom and Bynum after all?
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Brooks - Needs to start shooting the ball better, plain and simple
vs.
Bargnani - This guy sucks, don't pass to him!  The second straight number one pick that Yao will get to destroy
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - Shane Battier, rest up sir, we are going to need you down the stretch

Toronto Raptors
DTD - O'Neal and Kapono will likely play tonight

I unfortuantely can't get to a full game preview with a Christmas party to head to in a few minutes, but this is all you need to know.

Injuries
Houston Rockets
DTD - Artest - No word on if he will play tonight.  With Battier hobbled and playing through it until Ron can come back, I hope he sits this game and gets as healed up as he needs to be. 

Tracy McGrady needs to sit another two weeks, that's my opinion.   I'm not a doctor, but he is a full on idiot for not sitting until he was all the way healed.  I'm already tired of his want to be a hero.  Tracy, a little note, you can't be a hero if you aren't actually capable of playing through the pain.  And stop shooting the ball with more than 15 seconds on the clock.  Better yet, stop shooting it period!!

Utah Jazz
OUT - Millsap, Boozer and Okur

Those are the Jazz's top three scorers and rebounders.  If the Rockets don't win tonight I might have to take a timeout.

The Match-ups:

It is still Christmas vacation for me, so I apologize but these will be short.

Point Guard
Alston - Not the best player in the league
vs.
Paul - The best player in the league
Edge: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA , Hornets

Shooting Guard
McGrady - Your #2 guard in the West (in All Star balloting)
vs.
Butler - I'm assuming Daniels plays a little 2 when he gets back from his injury. 
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Battier - Shane's feet were sore after that tough 4 games in 5 nights span.  Hopefully he got some rest over the last few days and can come back strong tonight.
vs.
Brown - They need Peja back, badly
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - One of my favorite PFs in the league
vs.
West - My favorite PF in the league
Edge: Hornets

Center
Yao - The best center in the league
vs.
Chandler - The best alley-oop partner center in the league
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Artest - Until the Rockets play the Spurs, Ron Ron gets the nod here against every other team in the league
vs.
Posey - Good player, wish he was still a Rocket, but I'd much rather have Artest
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - None

New Orleans Hornets
DTD - Peja Stojakovic and Marquis Daniels

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Alston - Rafer will be back tonight, and according to Rick Adelman, he will start.  This is not a good decision, but it is what it is.
vs.
Williams - Mo Williams was vastly underrated in his previous life.  In his life as Lebron's sidekick I'd say he's still underrated.  Lebron has done less this year than last, but the Cavs are infinitely better.  Mo Williams is the reason for this
Edge: Cavaliers

Shooting Guard
McGrady - Over his last five games he is averaging 18 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists.  Also know as exactly what we need from him.  Some of that is skewed by his triple double game, but for the most part he is doing what he needs to do.
vs.
West - I've been on his bandwagon since his last year in college.  The guy can score, plain and simple. He's not going to rebound, pass or play much defense, but he will score.  And he's doing it better and better with each game in Cleveland.
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Battier - His words, after blowing an 18 point lead to Minnesota, could very well be the catalyst for the rest of the season.  I can absolutely see that leading the Rockets to a victory tonight.  It certainly was part of yesterday's blowout win.
vs.
James - His numbers are down across the board from last year, but somehow he's playing better, smarter basketball.  He's still the best (or second best if you are a CP3 guy like me) player in the NBA.  He's leading his team through words and actions.  And while I think his teaser about signing an extention this summer was a marketing move to keep his guys together for this championship run, it was still a really smart move.
Edge: Cavaliers

Power Forward
Scola -
vs.
Wallace - From underrated to vastly overrated to underrated again.  The Fro does much better as an underrated player.  A third or fourth fiddle is the perfect spot for him in the band.  He doesn't play peremiter defense as well as some think he does, but he is a good defender.
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - The Yao, 20 and 10 watch continues, he raised his scoring to 20.2 and his rebounds to 9.8.  Tonight he needs 20ish points and 16 rebounds to get there.  I'm saying he does it.
vs.
Ilgauskas - He usually plays Yao very toughly, though the last 4 games  Yao has taken it to him.  Tonight likely won't be different.  Z cannot guard him one on one, and if Wallace doubles off, Scola will constantly drain 12-15 footers
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Artest - If Ron comes off the bench the rest of the year, he could very likely win the 6th man of the year title. 
vs.
Gibson - He's only been back for 1 game from a toe injury.  He's not particularly a match-up problem for the Rockets, but does require a constant eye on him.  His shooting can be lights out, or all over the place.  I still wish he had stayed one more year to play with DJ Augustin and Kevin Durant.
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - None, that's right none.  Can anyone else believe it???

Cleveland Cavaliers
While Big Z and Boobie are listed as DTD, they are expected to play.
OUT - None

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Brooks - He has fared very well in his two big tests as a starter so far.  Now he is matched up with a guy with similar quicks, but more size.  It is going to be interesting.  I think Harris will get his, but Brooks will not let Rockets fans down.  He knows this is his audition for the permanent starting job for next season.  He is very driven
vs.
Harris - I've said it before, I'll say it again, the Jason Kidd trade for the Mavericks is a top 10 stupidest trade of all time.  Harris is lighting it up in New Jersey.  He can't win  games by himself though, actually, since they have won 13, maybe he can.
Edge: Nets

Shooting Guard
McGrady  vs. Carter - I'm going to put this into one.  In the history of the cousin war, Tracy has dominated.  You can look here if you don't believe me.  6 more points, more rebounds, assists, blocks, a better shooting percentage and less turnovers.  I think Carter was unecessarily lambasted for being selfish for getting his degree (which is what he should have done), but sine then has decided that if they already think he's selfish, than he's just going to be selfish. 
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Battier - Shane does everything better and costs 4 million dollars less a year
vs.
Simmons - For 10 million dollars you too can have a 7 points and 4 rebounds small forward!
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - Tough night in Minnesota, and all four of his fouls were legit calls (unlike how he normally is called for 2 phantom ones).  I don't understand why he ever gets less than 25 minutes a game though.  He'll bounce back strong tonight, I have no doubt of that.
vs.
Jianlian - Not the next Yao Ming, not even close
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - If Yao scores 20 points tonight and grabs 23 rebounds he will be averaging a 20 and 10 for the season.  His numbers have climbed up steadily all season long.  The team is finally running the offense through him more often than not.  I appreciate that. 
vs.
Lopez - He's been shining brightly since joining the Nets.  He's one of those rare players that seem obvious that they will be good pros even though they were overrated college players
Edge: Rockets

Key Reserve
Artest - Ron won the game for the Rockets against Minny.  He could very well do the same tonight
vs.
Dooling - I have nothing to say here other than he has had a much longer career out of Missouri than I thought he would
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
DTD - Rafer is still DTD but I don't think he will play tonight.  He shouldn't anyway.  Better to have him back on the second night of the back to back against the better team.

New Jersey Nets
OUT - None

The Timberwolves have lost 11 in a row and are 4-21.  That means this will be a game with 5 minutes left...

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Brooks - He had a 5 to 1 assist/TO ratio against Sacramento, but was a little off on his shot.  I think he'll bounce back tonight with about 16-18 points.
vs.
Foye - I still can't believe they wanted this guy over Brandon Roy.  You can't be serious, can you Kevin McHale?
Edge: Rockets

Shooting Guard
McGrady - Why is Tracy McGrady so effective at times this year.  It's not his shooting which is a career worst 40.4%.  It's not his dunks, because he has no lift.  It's his career best 81.8% free throw percentage. 
vs.
Miller - Everyone wanted him as a Rocket last season, myself included.  Frankly I'm glad we have Crazy Pills instead.  While Miller can shoot, he's not a defender and he can't create his own shot like Ron Ron can at times (though you don't know if it will go in).  It would mean that Shane or Ron was not here this year.  I'm happy with what the Rockets ended up with
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Battier - Is it me, or is something wrong with Shane?  He's never been a stats guy, and I know his ankle is hurt, but these are career worst type numbers that he is putting up.  His defense has been good, but last year he played better defense than anyone in the league and he's about number 20 on that list right now.  I'm telling myself it's just the ankle.  Please just be the ankle?
vs.
Gomes - I have nothing constructive to say about Gomes other than he hustles, at least when he plays the Rockets.
Edge: Rockets

Power Forward
Scola - There you are Luis!!  I missed you the last few games.  23 points on 10-21 shooting with 3 steals, 6 rebounds and an assist.  Please never leave me again.
vs.
Smith - I loved this guy in college, but once again the rule is being proven, if you  are 6'7 you really aren't an NBA PF.  Why do 2 inches make such a huge difference?
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - I repeat, for anyone that didn't get the memo.  He's the best, arounddddd.  Think Karate kid song from the tourney, but without the karate references. 
vs.
Jefferson - UNDER-Rated clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.  This guy is a beast.  It's a shame he toils away on this poorly constructed team with such a bleak future.  I guess he'll have to cry himself to sleep on his $11MM
Edge: Rockets but this is one of the few guys in the NBA capable of playing close to Yao

Key Reserve
Artest - His ankle needs rest, frankly I hope he doesn't play tonight.  If he doesn't, Carl Landry will be winning this edge too.
vs.
Love - Kevin McHale, you really traded OJ Mayo for a 6'10 white guy?  Really?  There is not another you out there no matter how much you want there to be. 
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
DTD - The entire team
OUT - Rafer Alston looks like he will be back Monday or Tuesday

Minnesota Timberwolves
DTD - Mike Miller - He should play tonight

Minnesota Timberwolves blogs:

Canis Hoopus

TWolves Blog

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Brooks - In AB0s last 2 games as a starter, he has held Chris Paul to 2-10 shooting and Chauncey Billups to 3-10 shooting.  So two guys he was supposed to greatly struggle against, he hasn't.  He didn't outplay Paul on the offensive end, but he took Chanucey Billups up and down the court all game.  I'm not exactly sure what Beno Udrih can do to him that those two guys could not
vs.
Udrih - I would trade Rafer for Beno, I wouldn't trade Brooks for him.  Mostly it is an age thing on the Rafer side.  But Udrih would be very solid on the Rockets.  Every time I've seen him he's looked like a good shooter, but since he doesn't take a lot of threes he doesn't average a ton of points.  I know he turns the ball over too much, but I think that has more to do with the team he's on than him being a poor passer. 
Edge: Rockets: Like I said, I wouldn't trade Brooks for him.

Shooting Guard
McGrady - He did everything we dream of him doing on a nightly basis.  Get the rebounds that are near you, and the occasional one or two where you have a clear shot at it.  Pass the ball well and often.  Shoot the easy shots and you are allowed to shoot an occasional heat checker.  This is how I want to define TMac from now on
vs.
Garcia - I haven't seen him play much in the NBA.  I will always remember him for being the luckiest man alive for a 2 minute period when he fouled Darius Washington on a 3 pointer and somehow got away with it as the 80% free throw shooter missed 2 out of 3.  That game faced two of the NCAA coaches I like the least in Calipari and Pitino. 
Edge: Rockets:  Come on now

Small Forward
Battier - He is the perfect SF starter on this team.  With Crazy Pills on the bench to run the second team, Battier is able to spot up in the corner and drop bombs.  He's also able to play defense while not getting in Yao and Tracy's way
vs.
Salmons - Holy crap, John Salmons decided to be good?  19PPG, 3A and 3 boards a game.  Or is it more that the Kings are bad and he shoots 15 times a game?  Let that sink in, Yao shoots 13 a game on average. 
Edge: Rockets:  I don't expect Salmons to have 20 points against the Rockets

Power Forward
Luis Landry - The tandem have had a rough last two games, after dominating together in the Golden State win.  This game will bring out the best in both of them.
vs.
Hawes - He's tall, white and Jon Koncak like.  I can't decide if that is a compliment or not
Edge: Rockets:  Hawes has the size.  Luis Landry has the awesomeness

Center
Yao - In December Yao is averaging 60% from the field for 24.3 PPG and 11.6 rebounds with 2 assists and 2 blocked shots tossed in.  If that wasn't good enough, he's shooting 84.7% from the line.  He's awesome, don't ever forget that.
vs.
Miller - I've never been a fan of Brad Miller's.  He is a fantastic passer and a solid shooter.  But to me, he was more of a product of right place, right time in Rick Adelman's system.  He's a good player, but Yao will eat him alive.
Edge: Rockets:  Yao is good, actually, scratch that, Yao is fantastic

Key Reserve
Artest - In December, though he has missed three games.  Ron Ron is averaging 21.5 points on 45% shooting, with 4 assists and 5 rebounds.  The Rockets are unbeatable when he plays like that along with Yao and TMac on the court.
vs.
Thompson - The rookie from Rider is averaging almost 10 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes a game off the bench.  I haven't seen the Kings play this year, but that looks pretty solid from a guy that was considered a reach.

Injuries
Houston Rockets
Who isn't injured?  McGrady, Battier, Artest, Hayes and Alston are listed as Day to Day
OUT - Alston - The Kings injury plays into this, without Martin, there should not be a need for Rafer on Friday night

Sacramento Kings
OUT - Kevin Martin is listed as indefinitely on Day to Day, I'm not sure how that works but it looks like he is out for Friday's game.  I don't like for players to get hurt, but I have no problem not having to worry about playing him.  Frankly, he's awesome and I don't mind hedging any wins these days.

Team Blog:  The unparalled Sactown Royalty where they have access to the team that we dream of.

I have a busy day today, so this is going to be short and sweet (probably more crappy than sweet, but you get the point)

The Match-Ups:

Billups will own Brooks, he's too strong to be stopped by him.  That said, Brooks will get his points, hopefully he passes well tonight

McGrady owns a big edge here. 

Carmelo went down early in our last game, the Nuggets still won.  With a full game from him it could be difficult.  Battier will play some strong defense, but Melo is a big guy. 

Scola is better than Martin, there, I said it

Yao will destroy Nene, it won't be close.  No high altitude to harm him this time.  Yao will be the difference in this game.

If any of you have any points of view on this game, feel free to put them in the comments, I'm going to go ahead and publish this now.

Rockets have another back-to-back.  Taking on the Clippers tonight.
The tale of the tape?

Sadly, there will be no Yao/Caveman matchup.  Which is unfortunate, because we all know Chris Kaman can't f--king stop Yao.  Yao has told him this much to his face.  (And yes, I will link to this clip every time Yao play Kaman's team.)

Anyway, the matchups:

Rafer v. Baron Davis.  This one isn't even close.  Rafer has played "better" in the last five or six games.  He's still more of a liability to the Rockets than an asset, but guys like Baron Davis aren't exactly found on every roster.  Huge advantage to Baron.  Maybe we can give him food poisoning again?

McGrady v. Eric Gordon.  This assumes McGrady can play tonight after trying to chase a triple double last night.  If McGrady can't go (not wholly unexpected), then Von Wafer likely takes his spot.  Either way, Eric Gordon is a rookie... and he's not Derrick Rose, so I can't possibly give this advantage to the Clippers.

Shane Battier v. Al Thornton.  So very glad to see Shane back.  Last time the Rockets played L.A., Thornton tore us up.  He's quite the sneaky offensive player.  Fortunately that's precisely Shane's job - slow down the offensively gifted.  Shane is still not 100%, but he's not being asked to do too much.  Slight advantage to Battier, strictly for the intangibles he brings that Thornton does not.

Luis Landry v. Zach Randolph.  I still don't know why the Clippers traded for Zach Randolph.  Oh, wait, yes I do - it's because Mike Dunleavy is desperate and not a genius like the Rockets' GM.  Mr. Randolph is going to get his 20 points and 10 rebounds... and yet have no real impact on the game.  Luis Landry should combine for 30 and 15 tonight, so the advantage stays with the Rockets here.

Yao v. Camby.  Marcus Camby is a good defensive player who can block shots.  That isn't going to help him against Yao.  Yao on a broken foot still gets the advantage over Camby.  And speaking of Dunleavy being a bad GM, maybe Daryl Morey can fleece him and trade for Camby at halftime?  Yao needs a legit backup.

Prediction?  The Rockets should win tonight, but this is exactly the kind of game the Rockets have had problems with this year... wrong end of a back to back against a young, athletic team.  Here's hoping for a blowout, but I expect a close game.  The difference will be how the Rockets handle Baron.  And how the Clippers try to slow down Yao.