Rockets.com: Game Previews vs. 76ers and Magic

Game Preview: Rockets vs. Magic and Rockets vs. 76’ers 10.12.05 (Back to Back)


Houston @ Philadelphia - 6:00 p.m. 10.11.05
Orlando @ Houston - 7:30 p.m. 10.12.05



Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Series Information:
Regular Season Series Record: 56-58 (@ Toyota Center: 2-0; @ Wachovia Center: 6-2)
Current Streak: Rockets, Won 6
Current Home Streak: Won 4
Current Road Streak: Won 3

Houston Rockets series matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers over the past five NBA seasons

2000-2001
Jan. 24, 2000 vs. Philadelphia L: 84-85 (OT)
Feb. 7, 2001 @ Philadelphia W: 112-87

2001-2002
November 8, 2001: vs. Philadelphia W: 77-72
Jan. 15, 2002 @ Philadelphia L: 106-112 (OT)

2002-2003
December 7, 2002: vs. Philadelphia W: 97-72
April 4, 2003: @ Philadelphia W: 88-79

2003-2004
November 17, 2003 @ Philadelphia W: 74-66
December 31, 2003 vs. Philadelphia W: 80-72

2004-2005
December 4, 2004: vs. Philadelphia W: 77-76
February 2, 2005: @ Philadelphia W: 118-95

The Houston Rockets begin preseason play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, October 11, and follow with a home game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. While the preseason is generally a period where veteran players can get back into the rhythm of playing again, and where the younger players can be evaluated against professional competition, the Rockets see it as an opportunity to get a head start on the season. The theory is that, with winning performances in the preseason, the likelihood of a good start for the regular season becomes that much greater.

“Most teams that win it (the championship) are .500 or better in the preseason,” head coach Jeff Van Gundy said during last week’s training camp. “You can tell a lot in preseason. Just like how you can tell a lot in practice. That’s why when people ask why a certain guy doesn’t get a chance, in my opinion, he gets a chance every day in practice.”


Houston Rockets @ Philadelphia 76ers
Tuesday, October 11
Wachovia Center - 6:00 p.m.

The Rockets travel to Wachovia Center in Philadelphia to play an up and coming Sixers squad that has the potential to be an Eastern Conference contender. Led by All-Star guard Allen Iverson and star forward Chris Webber, the Sixers managed a 43-39 record last season, good enough for seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets won both games against the Sixers last season, the last being a 118-95 thrashing of Philly at Wachovia Center. Not including preseason play, Houston has won six consecutive meetings against the Sixers.

Point Guard: Tonight will be the first chance for Rockets fans to see the newly-acquired Rafer Alston. Alston was brought to Houston last week in a trade from Toronto. The preseason will be a significant period for Alston as he adjusts to Van Gundy’s complex system. Iverson ran the point guard position for the Sixers last season and is an immense scorer who puts pressure on the defenses. However, neither he nor veteran Kevin Ollie may see tremendous minutes while the Sixers take a longer look at their younger point guards: 6’6” John Salmons and 6’2” rookie Louis Williams, who was drafted out of high school in the second round of this year’s draft.

Shooting Guard: David Wesley knows his role for the Rockets as a perimeter shooter and stifling perimeter defender, so it’s likely that the Rockets will give most of the minutes to Anderson, rookie Luther Head, and training camp invitees Dion Glover and Keith Langford. Head may also see time at point guard, but he will be the most intriguing and evaluated of the Rockets’ young kids. The Sixers have some young talent at this position. Last year’s rookie sensation Andre Iguodala (9.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.0 apg) will see some time here.

Small Forward: Tracy McGrady will spend time at all backcourt positions this season, yet he will be the Rockets’ small forward. Houston will also give returning forward Ryan Bowen some time here. The Sixers have returning forward Kyle Korver at this spot. Korver hit a league-best 226 3-pointers last season. The Sixers acquired veteran Lee Nailon during the offseason, and the scorer will see minutes here and at the power forward slot.

Power Forward: The Sixers have a star talent in 6’10” forward Chris Webber, who may see minutes as he returns from an injury-marred 2004-05 campaign. The Rockets will tote out new power forward Stromile Swift, who will use the preseason as time to adjust to Van Gundy’s intricate teachings, particularly defensively. The Rockets will also use last year’s starting power forward Juwan Howard here, as well as Bowen, Lonny Baxter (a 6’8” bull of strength who has a nose for the ball), and training camp invitee Chuck Hayes.

Center: For the fourth consecutive year, Yao Ming will be the man in the middle for the Houston Rockets. After a summer of rest and rehab from knee surgery, the team will evaluate Yao’s conditioning closely. The Sixers acquired center Steven Hunter as a free agent this offseason. Hunter is an athletic flyer who can block shots and runs the floor extremely well, and the team will decide who will be the starter between him and returning big man Samuel Dalembert.



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Rockets vs. Magic Series Information:
Regular Season Series Record:16-19 (@ Toyota Center: 2-0; @ T.D. Waterhouse Centre: 5-13)

Current Streak: Rockets, Won 6
Current Home Streak: Won 3
Current Road Streak: Won 3

Past five seasons:

2000-2001
Feb. 16, 2001 @ Orlando L:93-108
Feb. 23, 2001 vs. Orlando W: 105-95

2001-2002
Feb. 16, 2002 vs. Orlando L: 100-109
April 8, 2002 @ orlando: L: 74-83

2002-2003
Jan. 8, 2003 @ Orlando W: 91-81
Apri. 6, 2003 Orlando W: 114-93


2003-2004
November 8, 2002: vs. Orlando W: 96-86
January 25, 2004 @ Orlando W: 99-87

2004-2005
January 20, 2005: @ Orlando W: 108-99
January 24, 2005: Orlando W: 89-78

Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic
Wednesday, October 12
Toyota Center - 7:30 p.m.

Following Tuesday’s game against the Sixers, the Rockets come back to Toyota Center for their first preseason home game. Former Rocket Steve Francis and the Orlando Magic take their highwire act to Houston. After starting off well, Orlando finished last season with a 36-46 record, finishing 10th place in the Eastern Conference and six games out of the playoffs. The Rockets were victorious in both of last year’s contests against the Magic, and have won six consecutive meetings overall against Orlando.

Point Guard: The Magic have been talking about switching Steve Francis to the 2-guard spot and allowing either second-year man Jameer Nelson or free agent acquisition Keyon Dooling to run the point. For now, all three will see minutes at the position as new coach Brian Hill figures out who can fit where. Rookie Travis Diener has impressed the Magic brass with his ballhandling and leadership, and he figures to fit into the equation as well. Add in the Rockets’ Rafer Alston and his quickness, and this game could be of high speed.

Shooting Guard: Magic guard DeShawn Stevenson is a nice complement to the energy of Orlando’s point guards. He has the opportunity to earn significant minutes with the club. Rockets guards Derek Anderson and Dion Glover may see some important minutes here.



Small Forward: For the first time in three seasons, Orlando forward Grant Hill was able to enjoy a relatively injury-free year. He, alongside sharpshooter Hedo Turkoglu, gives Orlando some nice offensive versatility at this spot. Rockets forward Tracy McGrady will face off against his former team once more and may be as amped for a preseason game as fans will ever see him.

Power Forward: Dwight Howard was a major contributor as a rookie for Orlando last year. Howard averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, and his matchup against the Rockets’ Stromile Swift will be an electric one.

Center: Orlando has some nice defensive big men available here with former Rocket Kelvin Cato and 6’10” shot-blocker Tony Battie. Their primary job will be to rebound and provide weakside defense, as well as keep Rockets center Yao Ming off the glass.

 

oops... i meant 76ers...i've been watchin too much baseball recently

it wont let me edit the title for some reason.