The Dream Shake - Rockets Fall to Nuggets: Preview, Thread, RecapThe best footwork on the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/34031/32x32.png2012-11-07T21:36:38-06:00http://www.thedreamshake.com/rss/stream/33797432012-11-07T21:36:38-06:002012-11-07T21:36:38-06:00FINAL: Rockets out-stink Nuggets in 93-87 loss
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Rockets didn't bring their A-game. Thankfully, neither did the Denver Nuggets. But Denver's D-game was enough to take down Houston's F-game, if you feel me.</p> <p>You might not see an uglier basketball game all season long. I hope you won't, at least. Remember the really ugly lady on <i>The Drew Carey Show</i>? What was her name... Mimi, I think? This game was uglier than Mimi, bless her heart.</p>
<p>The Rockets still can't hit the broad side of a barn from three-point range, and I mean that literally. Aside from Carlos Delfino, Pat Patterson and Chandler Parsons, nobody landed a single long-range bomb. That includes Jeremy Lin, who I am convinced is out to set the record for worst three-point percentage in a single season. My, has he been awful from behind the arc or what?</p>
<p>Fortunately, Lin's defense helped contribute to the one thing that kept the Rockets in the game the entire night: Denver was also horrid on offense. They shot the ball well, but that was provided they got their shots.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, Denver's stout defense — can't say enough about how well Andre Iguodala played James Harden — was enough to keep the Rockets at bay. And make no mistake, the Rockets fought really, really hard. The talent just doesn't stack up, not yet. We keep seeing the same boneheaded mistakes we should expect to see from a team whose veteran leader is Carlos "Hero Mode" Delfino. It's going to cost Houston all season long, especially in the close games.</p>
<p><i>(You know what else cost Houston tonight? Rim-outs on threes. I counted five, three of which came in the final minutes. It's a game of inches, says everyone. Well, everyone is right.)</i></p>
<p>You might say, "Play the rookies!" Well, that's going to make these turnovers and dumb plays increase exponentially. We'll see the rooks eventually, but I think we should let the starters figure things out before we give them even MORE youth to have to work with.</p>
<p>The referees weren't great, but they were far from the reason the Rockets lost this one. Far from it.</p>
<p>Anyway, tonight's six Rockets on watch:</p>
<p><b>Three Up:</b></p>
<p>Patrick Patterson — His best game of the season and maybe of his career. Patterson singlehandedly kept the Rockets in the game in the third quarter. That three-point shot? That looks nice.</p>
<p>Carlos Delfino — Carlos is going to either be really good or really bad on any given night. In this one, he made his shots and even tried to play point guard. We'll give him a star for trying, even though I hope he never tries this again.</p>
<p>Omer Asik — The big man pulled down 13 more rebounds in just 22 minutes. He also had a few nice finishes in the lane. And at the same time, he missed a few of the easiest layups ever, again.</p>
<p><b>Three Down:</b></p>
<p>Jeremy Lin — Defensively, Lin forced enough chaos (six steals) to merit a passing grade despite a mostly good night from Ty Lawson. But on offense, Lin looked as out of sorts as we'll ever see him, hopefully. He wasn't looking to shoot when he was open, and he forced outside shots that were contested. The pick and roll looked horrible as well, and Lin — along with Harden — seemed content to simply move the ball around the outside, thereby wasting a solid ten seconds of shot-clock time. Lawson proved a tough matchup for Jeremy, but he's going to have to start finding some confidence.</p>
<p>James Harden — Harden came alive in the fourth quarter, but for the first three quarters, he couldn't find a lane. The first four times he stepped foot in the paint, he was stripped of the ball. Each time. Harden isn't going to get the superstar calls yet, and he hasn't found a pick-and-roll partner that can make him even more dangerous. He'll have his good nights, but these games should be expected every now and then as well, especially against league-best defenders.</p>
<p>Marcus Morris — Thought he looked miserable out there. Morris has had a few good games, but his points have come mostly in areas that are fairly simple: Hitting open two-point jumpers and finishing on the break. As for hitting open threes? Morris isn't making them, and that's paramount to including him on the floor. He's a "scorer" who is having a lot of trouble finding his shot. Maybe I'm overreacting, but that's really, worrisome.</p>
<p><b>Note: </b>VGB hands us the stats in the comments. 18 turnovers. Gave up 16 offensive rebounds. Shot 36.9% from the field and 24.2% from three.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 11.7.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> </span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>24</td>
<td class="highlight">93</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> </span></td>
<td>18</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>23</td>
<td class="highlight">87</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a></p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2012/11/7/3616228/final-rockets-out-stink-nuggets-in-93-87-lossTom Martin2012-11-07T18:40:01-06:002012-11-07T18:40:01-06:00GameThread: Rockets vs. Nuggets
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<figcaption>Troy Babbitt-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Denver Nuggets started the season off slowly with three straight losses despite being one of the most offensively potent teams in the league. Last night they won their first game with a commanding win over the Detroit Pistons in Denver.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" height="666" align="center" width="577" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2012/2013 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center> <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91783/Denver.gif" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91783/Denver_medium.gif" alt="Denver_medium"></a> <br id="1352328957732">(1-3)<br> </center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91861/Houston.gif" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91861/Houston_medium.gif" alt="Houston_medium"></a></p> <p>(2-1)</p> </center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>November 7, 2012</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Toyota Center - Houston, TX</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM CST</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>CSNH, Altitude 2 Sports</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ty Lawson</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jeremy Lin</span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></span></span><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Andre Iguodala</span></span> </td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>James Harden</span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Danilo Gallinari</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Chandler Parsons</span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kenneth Faried</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Patrick Patterson</span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kosta Koufos</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Omer Asik</span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"> <span style="text-align: start;"></span>93.8 (14th of 30)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">94.9 (8th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">103.6 (15th of 30)<br> </td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">101.5 (20th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">107.1 (21st of 30)<br> </td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">99.5 (9th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">Also see | <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/" target="_blank">Denver Stiffs</a>: <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2012/11/7/3613070/nuggets-at-rockets-it-will-be-harden-for-the-nuggets-to-win-tonight" target="_blank">Game Preview</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/denverstiffs" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | StoryStream </th></tr> </tbody></table>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> have ventured down to Houston tonight and will attempt to put a muzzle on James Harden. Andre Iguodala is one of the best lock down defenders out there and with Danilo Gallinari playing the three he can slide back over to shooting guard where he prefers to play. With JaVale McGee, <span>Wilson Chandler</span>, and <span>Andre Miller</span> coming off the bench the Denver Nuggets have a B squad that could rival a lot of A squads in this league and Ty Lawson is one of those young point guards who continues to improve his game.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> need to get a win at home. With fresh legs and a little more time involving Harden in the Xs and Os, Kevin McHale is going to give the Nuggets a fight for their money.</p>
<p>Danilo Gallinari is scoring 14.7 points per game at an abysmal 26.2%. The Italian Stallion was really coming on as a complete player towards the end of the 2011/2012 season but unless his shot start falling he's not a real threat to the Rockets tonight.</p>
<p><span>Greg Smith</span> has returned from a sore foot and will be active tonight.</p>
<p><span>Timofey Mozgov</span> is listed as day-to-day for the Nuggets and <span>Julyan Stone</span> is out.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">Kevin McHale is keeping Scott Machado and Royce White on the inactive list. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">With the Nuggets keying in on James Harden, it's going to take some big performances from Lin, Patterson, Parsons and Delfino on the offensive end to get a win. </span>It should be an interesting night, to say the least.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2012/11/7/3615252/gamethread-rockets-vs-nuggetsthomasfenoglio2012-11-07T09:00:02-06:002012-11-07T09:00:02-06:00Rockets-Nuggets game preview
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets look to bounce back after a disappointing overtime loss against the Portland Trail Blazers. Check out The Dream Shake's coverage including game preview, game thread, and a recap following the game. </p> <p>Sorry I couldn't make a game preview for the Portland game. That's obviously why we lost. My bad.</p>
<p>Luckily, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> didn't play until today. Three days off is pretty sweet and should give the Rockets a leg up over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>, who will be coming off a game last night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a>.</p>
<p>Today's game is like Shrek 4. Shrek 1 was incredible, as was game 1 for the Rockets. Shrek 2 was not as great, but it got the job done. Shrek 3 was awful (granted game 3 wasn't awful). So tonight is Shrek 4. I never saw that movie, so you guys can tell me if that's a good thing or a bad thing.</p>
<p>Tip off is at 7pm CST.</p>
<p>Matchups:</p>
<p><b>Point Guard: <span>Jeremy Lin</span> vs. <span>Ty Lawson</span>:</b></p>
<p>Jeremy Lin played one heck of a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a>. He was not as great against the Blazers, but he was still pretty good. I'll take 13/7/3/3 from him every night.</p>
<p>I've said from the start that I wasn't sold on Lin. Maybe that caused my expectations to go down, but I'm starting to come around. I don't think he's ever going to do what he did in New York over a full season (wow, great prediction AK. Way to go out on a limb), but it looks like he can absolutely be an above average NBA point guard and can be a point guard on a contender. Again, it's been three games so let's not get carried away. But I like what I see.</p>
<p>I wasn't sold on Ty Lawson out of North Carolina either. And he's turned out pretty good. Dude is all kinds of fast, and his jump shot has improved tremendously.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Nuggets</b></p>
<p><b>Shooting Guard: <span>James Harden</span> vs. <span>Andre Iguodala</span></b></p>
<p>Do you hear that? That's the sound of every NBA pundit erasing their favorite line to write about the Rockets.</p>
<p>For years, every article about the Rockets went something like this: "Morey is great, he works hard, Les is great, lets management do its thing, Adelman/McHale are great coaches, lots of good young players...</p>
<p>"BUT THEY NEED A SUPERSTAR FOR US TO GIVE A CRAP ABOUT THEM AGAIN!"</p>
<p>Granted, they usually said it in a nicer way, but every writer loved to remind us that we didn't have a superstar. Did they have any ideas for improving the team? Nope, just blame Morey. Did they recognize what we were doing without an All-Star player? Nope, just blame Morey. Did they understand that superstars aren't traded like pogs? Nope, just blame Morey.</p>
<p>Well now they can suck on their words, because it's over.</p>
<p>James Harden is a Rocket for five more years after this one. Suck it, writers. SUCK IT!</p>
<p>Oh, and all of you who are suddenly writing things like, "Everyone knew Harden would be a superstar," you can quit pulling that crap out of your ass. NO ONE wrote that he'd be a star (except us, obviously). Every other writer wrote more along the lines of "He's never proven himself as 'The Man.'" To be fair, no one was really discounting him saying he'd be a bust, but no one said he'd be a great player on this team either.</p>
<p>My God I hate ESPN.</p>
<p>This promises to be an exciting matchup between a great wing player and a great wing defender. Also, Iguodala always seems to play us well, usually getting near triple doubles. For that reason, this is even.</p>
<p>Oh, and to keep Rush Hour alive, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/QuestionablyBD/status/264380704148824064/photo/1">this</a> is from our very own BD34. I would put it as the picture for this but we can't since it isn't a Getty image. It should be though.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Even</b></p>
<p><b>Small Forward: <span>Chandler Parsons</span> vs. <span>Danilo Gallinari</span></b></p>
<p>Another intriguing matchup between two players who are struggling.</p>
<p>Gallinari went 3-17 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a>. That happens when you have LeBron and Battier in your grill all night.</p>
<p>Parsons has been sluggish out of the gate. That jumper has to fall eventually. But it isn't just him. No Rocket can hit a three pointer right now. It would be great if someone could get us going.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Rockets, barely</b></p>
<p><b>Power Forward: <span>Patrick Patterson</span> vs. <span>Kenneth Faried</span></b></p>
<p>I love me some Manimal. He's going to be a double-double machine for years to come.</p>
<p>Patterson probably still isn't fully healthy, but the time off has to help him. I expect a good game from him tonight. Faried isn't a great defender, but he can block shots.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Nuggets</b></p>
<p><b>Center: <span>Omer Asik</span> vs. <span>Kosta Koufos</span></b></p>
<p>If Asik could make a shot around the rim, we'd be talking about how he is a top 5 center in the league.</p>
<p>As it stands, he'd grabbing boards and playing defense at an incredible level, and that's just fine with me. His battles against Koufos and McGee tonight will be fun to watch.</p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Rockets</b></p>
<p><b>Bench</b>-starting to clear up. We'll see moving forward. Remember, Aldrich and Cook are still learning the system. So is Harden, but it's different because he IS the system.</p>
<p>Rockets: <span>Toney Douglas</span>, <span>Carlos Delfino</span>, <span>Marcus Morris</span>, <span>Greg Smith</span>, <span>Cole Aldrich</span></p>
<p>Hawks: <span>Andre Miller</span>, <span>JaVale McGee</span>, <span>Corey Brewer</span></p>
<p>Advantage: <b>Nuggets</b></p>
<p>Prediction: Nuggets pull it out 101-95</p>
<p><span>Nuggets vs Rockets coverage</span></p>
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https://www.thedreamshake.com/2012/11/7/3602158/houston-rockets-vs-denver-nuggets-game-previewArmin Khansari