ClutchFans Game Thread: Hawks @ Rockets 11/29/2005

So now we are 4-3 with T-Mac and 0-8 without.

Suppose T-Mac is with us, the projected record is 42-40. Probably enough to get an 8th seed.

 

Second worst team, by standing... but remember, we are the third worst, so beating the second worst is pretty good!

 

dude i agree, but your english has got to improve for the non-asians... so they can understand ur point!!! hahaha just kidding........ rockets finally won!!!

 

unbelievale how many turnovers we had as a team (mac had 8) but we still won by 15.

good sign of thing to come if we can keep the TOs down.

 

A badly needed win! YAO for MVP! How come I don see any threads about Yao being a MVP candiate after his performance tonight or Yao for KG and 3 first round draft picks?

 

Uh...ok, even after tonight's performance, there's NOBODY on this board who wouldn't do that trade.

 

Freaking sammy.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STFU!~!!!!!

 

if we can win next 7 games, I will vote TMAC for MVP. YAO? maybe ROX MVP, that's it.

 

I keep telling myself that i shouldn't be happy about beating the second worst team in the league...

anyway. i am happy.

 

To be very honest, I think they would have lost this one w/o t-mac. T-mac is the superman on this team: scoring, play-making, rebounding and defense. I hoped JVG would manage his mins better this year so that he wont be worn out in the playoffs. With our current record it's even more difficult.

 

Evn though we had a much needed and better looking win tonight, the Rockets need to work on their offensive sets. And Wesley is not a point guard. Go Rox

 

TMac is amazing, he has been my favorite player since coming to the NBA. I was stunned when the Rockets got him. Still can't believe it. It blows your mind the effect he has on a team. Now let's see what the Rockets can do against the teams that have been beating us like a drum, they are in a deep, deep hole, but at least, they found the way out.

 

McGrady Makes Return as Rockets Break Streak, Defeat Hawks 100-85

By Dennis L. Silva, II.
11.29.05


It’s amazing how much one player can mean to a team of fifteen. Tracy McGrady made his long-awaited return from injury Tuesday night and guided the Rockets to victory against the Atlanta Hawks, snapping a seven-game losing streak. Finally, fans and followers of the Rockets were able to see a “full” Rockets squad (though Rafer Alston will sit out atleast another week due to a leg injury) in action as Houston put together their most complete showing of the season as Jeff Van Gundy earned his 100th victory as Rockets head coach, defeating the Hawks 100-85 before 12,825 at the Toyota Center.

McGrady started off as if he had never missed a game, scoring Houston’s first six points, and 8 of Houston’s first 13, as the Rockets jumped out to a 13-7 lead with 6:16 left in the first quarter. The Rockets clearly were more focused on attacking the offensive glass, accumulating six offensive rebounds in the first half (and nine total for the game) after entering the contest ranked 28th in that area. McGrady finished the first period with 8 points on 5-8 shooting as Houston held a 26-22 lead going into the second quarter.

The Rockets extended that lead to 38-29 midway through the period after consecutive 3-point hits from Derek Anderson and Luther Head (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in the first half). Unfortunately, they allowed the Hawks right back into the game as Atlanta closed to within three points late, and when Hawks guard Joe Johnson (14 points and 4 assists in the first half)scored on a floater and was fouled in the process in the waning seconds, Atlanta had trimmed their margin of deficit to 51-52 going into halftime. Atlanta managed to negate Houston’s 14-5 advantage in second-chance points by outscoring Houston 9-0 in transition points and hitting 19-36 from the field.

The Rockets started the third period focused to not let another potential victory slip from their hands. Houston started the quarter on a 10-4 scoring run, encouraging a 62-55 lead early. The rest of the quarter was an exchange of runs as Atlanta went on a 10-1 scoring spree to tie the game at 65 before Houston went on a 9-1 closing run of their own to hold a 74-66 advantage heading into the fourth and final period.

Atlanta went on another brief scoring rally late, scoring seven consecutive points to close to within seven, but the Rockets’ lead was never in jeopardy. McGrady dished five assists (all in the second half) that allowed Juwan Howard to score 12 points and also opened up easy inside scoring opportunities for Yao Ming. Yao, who had been relatively quiet the first half, finished the game with 25 points and 12 rebounds on 10-17 shooting as the Hawks’ defense was preoccupied with the presence of McGrady (who would finish the contest with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 7-16 shooting). The Rockets outscored Atlanta 28-12 in the paint during the second half, and their stingy defense held the Hawks to a mere 34 points total in the game’s final twenty-four minutes.

The Rockets managed to put together an outstanding second half of basketball that showcased their vast potential on both ends of the floor. After their sharpshooting first half display, Atlanta was held to only 11-40 shooting in the second half, while Houston shot 18-37.

For the first time in what seemed like ages, the Rockets’ offense had a purpose and a foundation of attack. It was either: 1) dump the ball in to Yao, or, 2) let Tracy McGrady shoot. All five of the Rockets’ starters scored in double figures, while the players off the bench came in to fulfill their natural specialist roles and did not have to be relied upon for heavy dosages of play. Ryan Bowen, removed from the starting lineup, came in to provide a spirited eight minutes of hustle and energy, and Derek Anderson was back to his comfortable role as a third or fourth scorer on offense, contributing 10 points. The game marked Houston’s highest point total of the season, as well as their largest margin of victory this year.

The Rockets have three days off before facing Memphis again, but this time it will be at home at the Toyota Center. With Alston said to be targeting a return date of next Tuesday, it is possible that the Rockets’ are ready to put their hellish November start in the history books and prepare to be the team that everybody expected them to be.


ROCKETS RECAP

· Atlanta outscored Houston 17-5 in transition.
· Five Hawks scored in double figures (led by Johnson’s 17) but those five combined to shoot 24-65, a percentage of 37%.
· Hawks’ center Zaza Pachulia entered the game leading the league in offensive rebounding (averaging 4.7 per contest) and had 5 offensive caroms against the Rockets, though only one came in the second half.
· Stromile Swift scored only 5 points in 12 minutes of play, while picking up 4 fouls in the process.
· Houston outrebounded Atlanta 46-38.


http://www.nba.com/games/20051129/ATLHOU/boxscore.html

 

A win is a win. It's great that the team is back on right track.

 

With Tracy's back, we should move head to sg because he is more like Cat,fast,3 point shooting, can dribbl and rebound although he is a rooki.

 

I would rather have Head bringing the ball up than Wes.

 

Great post, I was just thinking the same thing during the game. Wes has his shooting touch back though, gotta be happy about that.

Although Yao missed some easy shots today, bottom line is he had more energy because Tmac was there to share the load and therefore was very comfortable and aggressive out there.

Did anyone catch that one play where Yao slammed the ball to the ground in frustration and disgust over a BS Offensive foul called on him? Dang'ol!

 

Tracy had a great game and looked fit which was very encouraging. I hope we will be able to win some more games now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but tonight we played pretty well.

 

Yes, I really hope he could get a technical out of that.

 

it was still nice to see that reaction.