Clutchfans Game Thread: Rockets @ Raptors 1/2/2009

...Been listenin to SportsRadio 610 this morning and they're predicting that T-Whack will not be playing tonight, but will play tomorrow against the Hawks, sitting in Philly, but playing in Boston.

Is it me or when we see T-Whack play, he looks twice Deke's age, but Deke plays like he's half his age?

Also, we don't know how Ron-Ron's ankle's holding up. We need to just sit Ron-Ron and T-Whack until like early to mid-Feb and let them rest up. Until then, let the energy players like Wafer and Dorsey play and bring some intensity off the bench. Until then, start Aaron Brooks/Wafer at the 2-spot.

 

As much as I advocate starting Brooks over Alston, I'd rather have Brooks be the backup than start Alston and Brooks together in the backcourt.

My concern is on the defensive end. I am fine with Alston or Brooks defending the opposing PG but if you put both of those guys on the court together, one of them ends up having to defend the opposing SG and neither of them are capable of doing that. This is the same problem we've see when Head plays at the 2 alongside Alston. He gets abused on the defensive end.

Both Brooks and Alston got stuck on Redd at different points of the game against the Bucks during defensive rotations. It was a mess and we got lucky the Bucks weren't good enough to exploit that more. I have no idea why Adelman kept using that backcourt when it clearly wasn't working, especially with both Brooks and Alston in a shooting funk.

Start Barry or Wafer at the 2 when McGrady isn't playing.

 

Has Calderon missed a FT yet?

Maybe Bill will jinx him.

 

at least he dispels one myth that he only plays in easy games.

 

I wanna see some Wafer tonight, he is the spark we need tonight, he is always attacking the basket, I hope T-mac sits cause he is hurting the team when he plays, who cares that he is getting assists, we need his scoring, and his jump shot is off and he doesn't go to the whole. Rockets win tonight, and they always play better on the road anyway.

 

Rockets need a fight....

I mean really..that fight in Phoenix brought them together. I think its a good month for a fight...just not Artest...

anyway...prediction like a usually do it innnnnn just a moment.

 

Rockets win, 92-87.

21-12.

 

Alston vs Bosh?

 

Medical Watch:


• C Jermaine O’Neal (right knee contusion) missed Wednesday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.


• G Jason Kapono (right quad contusion) missed Wednesday’s game vs. Denver.

 

I think T-Mac will play...He's up against the team that drafted him and a city that has showed him no love since he left. Be ready to hear the boos everytime he touches the rock. I live in Toronto and a lot of folks out here thinks the Raps can knock off the Rockets. Theres some real confidence brewing tonight. I hope the rockes and McGrady come to play tonight. Nothing will come easy.

 

I think he will sit this one out and make sure he is ready for Atlanta and Boston.

 

wouldn't a win make us 22-12?

 

The Rockets have had the 10th easiest schedule this season and the 9th easiest over the past 10 games according to Hollinger.

 

Judging from the last few games....

Rockets win 40%.

Starting to lose faith on this team until I see them play with energy again consistently.

 

They looked great in the 1st quarter against the Bucks. It looked like everybody had picked it up a gear. The ball was moving, bodies were moving. It was as good as I've seen the team look in weeks.

Then at some point during the 2nd quarter, and more notably in the 2nd half, the lethargic play we are getting used to reared its ugly head again.

 

word from toronto (via 610) is T-mac is expected to play tonight

 

What the heck is Hollinger smoking?? Has he not looked at all the Back2Backs we've have to play??? I think we've got the hardest schedule of any team this season!

Yes... and t-whack is playing tonight.. go figure...he wants nothing to do with Boston.

 

Hollinger has generally had a pretty favorable view of the Rockets over the past few seasons. His SOS rankings are based on an unbiased formula.

You may not agree with the formula but this wasn't a case of Hollinger just pulling some stats out of his ass.

If that turns out to be true, he will get flamed once again. I refuse to believe it. Not our T-Mac. It's not like Tracy Lamar is known to take the easy route.

 

anyone know if uncle deke is active tonight?

 

Over/under on Tmac scoring over 10 pts tonight? I say he will score 6 pts on 2/13 shooting, going 2-6 on ft's !