Game Recaps
Game 11 Recap: Fourth quarter defense propels Suns to 111-105 victory over Rockets
by Tom Martin on Nov 17, 2009 10:54 PM CST
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You knew Jarron Collins was going to blow up at some point. Er, perhaps not.
He didn't exactly "blow up" either. Six points in twelve minutes is hardly a combustible stat line. But on three of three shooting, with six rebounds, two blocks, and the dagger in the final minute, Collins' contribution might have made the sliver of a difference down the stretch for the Phoenix Suns. Alvin Gentry knew he wasn't substituting dead air for Channing Frye to end the game. At least not on this night.
Shoving particulars aside, the Rockets couldn't have started any hotter, nor could they have finished any colder. Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks hit four out of the five three pointers that Houston knocked down to start the game. The Rockets controlled the first quarter and much of the second quarter before losing their mojo to finish the first half with a three-point lead. That, and Amare Stoudemire realized that beating 6'6 Chuck Hayes one-on-one wasn't as hard as everyone said it was. For a while I thought that Stoudemire might drop another President Grant on us.
You know what else I was thinking? That this game eerily mirrored the first half of the Dallas game... which ended in us getting blown out. Not exactly the script you want to keep following.
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Game 9 Recap: Stop Making Sense
by Only_A_Lad on Nov 14, 2009 12:26 AM CST
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Following the loss to the Mavericks, I criticized the prevailing wisdom about the Rockets (can't create, so they have to be "scrappy," and so they'll fail against teams with superior "talent"). Fortunately (I guess), that wisdom probably won't be deployed following this loss.
The Rockets were the more talented team coming into this game. On paper, they were the superior defensive and offensive team. Yeah, the Kings had played well over their past few games, but anything can happen in three games. So what happened tonight?
I think many will look at the boxscore, see that Tyreke Evans had another good game, and be tempted to place this game at the feet of an emerging rookie/hopeful star. Really though, the difference in this game was Beno Udrih. He shot extraordinarily well tonight (and he's having a hot start to the season, as well), dropping 4 threes and 22 points on the Rockets. Nocioni hit some tough shots, the Kings got to line more, and Jason Thompson continued his drive towards an all-star career. The good parts of the Kings produced like they should have, and the bad parts contributed far more than they typically do.
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Game 7 Recap: Mavericks find stroke in second half, rout Rockets 121-103
by Tom Martin on Nov 11, 2009 1:57 AM CST
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It's an ugly score, no doubt, but last night's loss to Dallas was no mail-in from the Rockets. Sometimes, as Houston fans well know, there's no answer for hot shooting.
The thirteen turnovers hurt, but Dallas had fourteen. The twenty-two fouls may seem a bit much, but Dallas had twenty-eight. Look no further than the Mavericks' true shooting percentage of sixty-five percent to find a large chunk of why they were victorious. Seven of twelve from three? Twenty-two of twenty-three on free throws? That's called execution.
For much of the first half, however, it was the Rockets that were finding automatic offense. Dallas kept the pace relatively slow, but Houston attacked the paint effectively and got the easy points, as they often do. Luis Scola got off to an excellent start, and Aaron Brooks was driving and scoring at will. Houston picked up the pace to finish the quarter, shooting sixty-four percent en route to a nine point lead.
As the second quarter progressed, the Mavericks found themselves avoiding their stars, as James Singleton and Drew Gooden were taking the majority of the shots. Carl Landry began to dominate the paint in place of Chuck Hayes, and so too did David Andersen. At this point, Houston was sitting pretty.
Suddenly, and most expectedly, The Dirk awoke.
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The hum of precision machinery: Rockets win Game 6 vs OKC Thunder
by Xiane on Nov 7, 2009 2:34 AM CST
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First, apologies for this recap running a bit late. I had to watch the game on DVR tonight.
This one never seemed in doubt. The Rockets were never able to stretch the lead beyond about 10, but never did I think Houston would be unable to pull away as the Thunder drew within 6 or 8 a few times.
In some respects, this was a battle of identities. Houston's identity as a disciplined, driven, unselfish and intelligent squad clashed with...with what exactly? OKC, at this point, lacks an identity as a team. They have talent, oodles of talent, of that there can be no doubt. But to what purpose? Never was an intensity of will, a drive to win on the Thunder's part, evident to me in this game.
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Same old story: Rockets still lack true finisher to replace Yao & McGrady
by Tom Martin on Nov 5, 2009 12:31 AM CST
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You couldn't ignore it. The Rockets countered with baskets, but you still weren't convinced. And then, when it came down to the final 13 seconds of the game, you thought about it yet again.
Who is going to take the final shot?
With the final possession determining the outcome of the game, the Los Angeles Lakers weren't about to let anyone score the easy way.
How about sending Aaron Brooks through the lane for a dwarf-tastic layup? Nope. Andrew Bynum wasn't about give Brooks any space by stepping up late to help again.
Or how about giving Trevor Ariza space to isolate his defender? Nope. Ron Artest wasn't going to give an inch of room for Ariza to beat him off the dribble.
In the end, the Rockets got caught in between both options, and it resulted in a turnover. When we finally got our answer to who was going to step up at the end, it was pretty clear: Nobody.
As extraordinary as they've been, the Rockets lack a go-to guy when it counts, and there's nothing they can do about it. Up to this point, opponents hadn't forced the Rockets into a do-or-die situation on the offensive end. Golden State turned a 108-101 deficit into a single-point Houston victory. Each of the Portland games weren't as close as the final score indicated. And we beat the living Christ hell out of Utah.
Houston's offense revolves around the flow of the game. We want to be able to score when a defense isn't set - when a defense is most vulnerable. That's how we're going to get our points. If we're forced to slow it down, we take advantage of little things, such as backdoor cuts, short passes in the paint, and drive-and-kick opportunities. As the game tightens towards the end, and as the adrenaline picks up for the opposing defense, those "little things" suddenly become much harder to execute. Defenders become more focused on individual plays, and if they weren't giving 100% effort before, they certainly are when the game is one the line.
Yeah, the Rockets will make a clutch shot every once in a while. And no, Trevor Ariza won't have a defender like Artest on him all the time. But at the end of the day, the odds will rarely be in our favor.
That said, when Rick Adelman draws up an ingenious play to win a game, don't say I didn't tell you so. I'm not bold enough to put anything by him.
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Game 5 Recap: Lakers Win, Rockets Lose, We All Learn A Little Something
by Only_A_Lad on Nov 4, 2009 11:44 PM CST
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Here we have a game where Kobe was allowed to get to the line freely. A game where the slightest contact by a Rocket in the 4th was cause for a foul. A game that was nevertheless a field goal away from a win.
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Game 4 Recap: 40% of Rockets Payroll Destroys Utah at Home 113-96
by Xiane on Nov 2, 2009 11:08 PM CST
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So Utah, how'd you like 40% of our payroll delivering a comprehensive ass-kicking on your home court? I thought it was spiffy. Really neato.
So, speak up if you thought the Houston Rockets scoring would go 87, 107, 111, and 113 in their first four games. Anyone? It is very early in the season, but we may have an answer to the question "Where will the scoring come from?" From everywhere. 8 players in double digits, and the Rockets simply blew past Utah in the 4th, due in a large part to the 44th pick in the 2009 draft - Chase Budinger who poured in 17 on 7 for 11 shooting, and looked smooth, efficient and confident doing it.
Speak up, also, if you think Rick Adelman is sleeping now. The old bear is awake, interested, and his team is kicking ass. There, it appears, is a reason he's a million games over .500. Certain of us need to say a little prayer tonight and ask forgiveness for all the nasty stuff they've said about Adelman over the years. JVG love should not equal Adelman hate. Let the hate go, live in the light of 29 assists on Utah.
The defense was excellent, and the players never lost their cool, no matter how many Jazz**** splattered themselves on the floor with no contact. Houston was so quick, so poised, so committed to help defense that Utah was unable to exploit their serious height advantage.
Utah seemed a bit lackadaisical, and appeared to want Houston to roll over and give them the game. Instead, it was Utah who rolled over when Houston applied some pressure on both ends of the court. Utah, with its full complement of players couldn't handle Houston's depth. Depth that does not include our two best players and 60% of our payroll. This result is yet another brick in the shrine we are building to Dork Elvis.
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Hey, Utah - your team just got beat by a bunch of midgets. HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!
by grungedave on Nov 2, 2009 10:47 PM CST
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Damn that felt good.
The Rockets overcome Joey Crawford and his band of misfits to beat the s--t out of the evil Utah Jazz. It would have been a 20 point plus victory, but Brian Cook entered the game and ruined that... final score is 113-96. Suck it, Utah!
Seriously, Utah had a massive height advantage at most every position. They had home court. They had Deron freakin' Williams (who is really, really good and sadly misplaced among the rogues he has to call "teammates"). And, as noted, they had Joey Crawford and the other two refs that couldn't possibly be any worse than the replacement refs from pre-season. All of that........ the Rockets overcame. They could not - and would not - be stopped. Not even in Utah, where Rocket dreams went to die in the past.
Dear Daryl Morey,
I was wrong. About everything. I should never have doubted you.
This box score is just awesome though. Its beauty is in the simplicity and all-around consistency. I want to frame it.
Chase Budinger, ftw. My new favorite albino rookie went for 17 points, 5 rebounds and all sorts of clutch in the 2nd half. Then there's Chuck Hayes - who at this rate may lead the NBA in steals for the regular season. Chuck went for 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. On 6-8 shooting. Seriously, Utah, you let Chuck Hayes nearly get a double double on you. There's only one way to properly respond to that:
Look at the box score again. The Rockets put 8 players in double figures. EIGHT. That never really happens with our team, and yet that might be a regular occurrence with this unselfish roster. 50% shooting as a team (and a robust 52% from beyond the arc. Nice!). Even better? The undersized Rockets out-rebounded the Jazz 46-38. It's true. I couldn't believe my eyes either. Utah only got 8 offensive rebounds. EIGHT. So much for a size advantage. The Rockets have a heart advantage (not to mention a karma advantage).
The only way this could have been better would have been if Joey Dorsey got to play... got a gorilla dunk... and then impregnated all of Salt Lake City. To mark our newfound territory.
pwn3d, bitches.
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