Déjà vu: Rockets’ Heart, Intensity Not Enough As Mavs Prevail 102-93 11.22.05 Incremental progress. Through each workout, practice, or game, that is the goal of Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy. The Rockets are indeed showing progress, albeit at a snail-like pace, these last four games. The Rockets managed to find their shooting touch Tuesday night but still left Dallas empty-handed as the Mavericks claimed a 102-93 victory before a sell-out crowd of 20,304 at American Airlines Center. The Rockets started off the game in fine fashion, racing out to a 21-14 lead thanks to the play of Luther Head and Yao Ming. With Tracy McGrady (back strain) and Rafer Alston (right leg fracture) watching from the sidelines, Head and Yao combined for 22 points in the fourth quarter. Yao did his damage by getting to the free-throw line early and often, hitting 7-8 from the charity stripes. Head did most of his work from behind the 3-point arc, hitting 2-2 from downtown. Houston also started the game outrebounding Dallas 10-0 to start the contest, which was the primary cause for a 27-19 Rockets lead heading into the fourth quarter. Dallas closed to within four points early in the second quarter due to a 10-2 run, on behalf of Marquis Daniels and Devin Harris, both of whom managed to exploit Houston’s vulnerability in the midrange. However the Rockets were able to sustain momentum in large part because of Derek Anderson and Stromile Swift. Anderson broke down Dallas’ defense with penetration, assisting on dunks by Mutombo and Swift. Despite both Yao and Swift plagued by foul trouble, the Rockets built a 50-38 lead late in the quarter before Mavs guard Jason Terry went on his own personal scoring spree. In what may have been the turning point of the game, Terry scored 8 points in the game’s closing two minutes, as Houston held only a five-point advantage at halftime. Head led the Rockets with 16 points at the break, on 5-7 shooting, while Yao added 15 points along with four rebounds. In what is becoming a common theme, the Rockets’ bench played with energy and made clutch plays, outscoring Dallas’ second unit 17-5. In the third quarter, Dallas went on a 10-5 scoring run to gain a 63-58 lead with 7:07 remaining in the period. The game was turning in Dallas’ favor until the Van Gundy inserted little-used guard Moochie Norris into the game. Originally brought in to foul Mavs center Dasagana Diop as part of a “Hack-a-Shaq” ploy, Norris earned himself more minutes by his play on offense. Norris scored a bucket, while dishing 3 assists and accumulating a steal to spark a Rockets run and to close the Mavs’ lead to only three, 77-74, going into the fourth quarter. The Rockets would have actually regained their lead if they hadn’t missed seven free throws in the quarter (after hitting 13-15 in the first half). The Mavericks rebuilt their lead back to seven until Houston went on an 8-2 run early in the fourth stanza. Luther Head scored 5 points, and Yao had a critical 3-point play as Houston enjoyed a 12-5 run to force an 86-86 tie midway through the quarter. But that would be the last of any Rockets rally as clutch baskets by Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris, as well as a closing 10-3 Dallas run, enabled Dallas to keep their undefeated season streak at home secure, winning 102-93. Rebounding was the primary reason for Houston’s downfall in Dallas. The Mavs out-rebounded Houston 45-34 for the game, and 28-13 in the second half. Due to their aggression on the boards, or Houston’s lack of, the Mavericks compiled 14 second-chance points due to an astounding 17 offensive rebounds. Another reason for the Houston loss was the Rockets’ inability to counter the mismatches that Dallas created. Time and time again, Derek Anderson was left guarding Nowitzki, and Swift was left on the quicker, more agile Josh Howard. The problems that these mismatches create left wide-open scoring opportunities for Jason Terry (29 points on 11-18 shooting) and Harris (7 points). The Rockets’ offense did manage to come to life on Tuesday. Houston hit 45% of their shots, including 8-14 from downtown. Led by the 28 points from Head, on 9-17 shooting, Houston also received important contributions from Anderson (19 points on 7-10 shooting) and Swift (9 points). Yao did accumulate 20 points during his foul-marred time on the floor, but again shot a low percentage, hitting only 6-17 from the floor. The Rockets play Phoenix at home tomorrow night as the availability of McGrady or Alston still is unknown and remains on a day-to-day basis. Rockets fans can sleep happy tonight knowing their team gave 100% on the floor, and that these losses are due to the team being severely hindered by injuries and a lack of talent against a schedule that has placed superior opponents against them. ROCKETS RECAP · The Rockets’ bench continued its consistent and reliable play by outscoring Dallas’ bench 34-15. · Dallas outscored Houston 54-40 in the second half. · Of a total 55 fouls called during the game, 33 were attributed to the Rockets’ side. · Dallas outscored Houston 11-2 in transition · Dallas’ duo of Nowitzki and Terry combined for 60 points on 22-37 shooting, including 7-13 from 3-point range http://www.nba.com/games/20051122/HOUDAL/boxscore.html
I was there and I was pretty impressed. I thought it would be a slaughter. But Head is legit. DA didn't play as well. Strom is a moron and basically lost us the game. Van Gundy did some dumb things but also some smart ones. Yao was ok. We need T-Mac, we need Sura, Barry looked sad.
Bull****. There has been no progress Our offense didnt do any better. Once again it came down to random guys steppin up and our big guy dissapearing. Tehre is still no sign of ball spreading, with only 15 assists. Players were creating their own shots, not others. Whatever better the offense did, it came at the cost of the defense. We allowed 103 points on 47% shooting from the field and the arc. We got abused on the glass, allowing 17 offensive rebounds. What gives you the idea there has been progress?
There was obvious progress with their offense: 93 ppg, 47% shooting, 8-14 from 3, only 9 TO... As far as defense, I just think Mavs are a far more superior offensive team...it wasnt due to lack of heart or effort...The Mavs usually score 105-110 points, and I know they scored 102 but we did foul them a lot down the stretch when it didnt matter anymore, so I think we gave up more around 96-98 meaningful points... I would say there was definitely more progress than there was regression...
That's just because the Mavs allow about all of their opponents that kind of scoring. They play to score 110+ and give up close to 95 every game. Avery was talking about that on the radio here recently. He was saying that they definitely have to work on that aspect of their game, because some nights their offense may not produce more than 95 pts. Sometimes listening up here in Dallas, I wish the Little General was on the Rockets' staff or even the head coach. He talks, and produces, a good game. btw- He's 25-8 as the Mavs head coach.
The 93 points were due to their 45% shooting and overall smarter play on offense...The Mavs came in ranked #9 in team defense so its not like they're an atrocious defensive ballclub...
Thanks for the recap. It still sounds like the Rox problems mainly have to do with lack of quickness and athleticism outside of Head and Stro, and Stro is hampered by not playing smart.
i was there too... head looked solid, and yes stro did kinda blow the game, but he had some nice plays too, and the place almost erupted when the ally-oop was tried early in the game. i agree, tmac and sura will be a cure all... or most.
i am happy with my team we have a good team a good rookie that can become a good role or a good player let time said all
Can somebody explain why did we regress? Our pre-season and first game against Sac were clear indicators that the team had the chemistry and the will to take us into the promised land -tariq
Huh? Did you watch the same game I did? DA had his best game of the season!!! He made some big shots when the Mavs were starting to take the lead. 31 MINS 19 PTS 7-10 FG's 2-3 3PT 3-4FT 5 RBs 4 ASSTS 0 TO's Besides the New Jersey game, this was the best overall game played by Houston. Their TO's were down, they shot the ball well and played with alot of heart. The offense actually flowed pretty smoothly. If they got a few extra rebounds down the stretch and make a few more free throws, the Rox win it. If the Rox play like this from now on, they will get W's and salvage a few before T-Mac comes back. Remember, this is probably the toughest stretch in our schedule. 5 of the next 6 are at home and against teams we CAN beat.
