ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Kings @ Rockets 12/10/2002

wow...thank goodness Yao is playing. GO ROCKS!!!

 

Red-hot Kings may get Stojakovic back tonight

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By Marc Stein
ESPN.com


Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic, out for the past nine games with plantar fasciitis in his right heel, could return to the Kings' lineup tonight in Houston.

Stojakovic has practiced with the Kings the past two days after returning from a trip to his native Yugoslavia to seek treatment for the persistent heel soreness. The All-Star forward is a game-time decision; he will warm up before tipoff to help determine if the foot can withstand game conditions.

The Kings, though, could elect to hold Stojakovic out one more game, as they don't play again until Saturday night in Utah. Stojakovic could then complete two more practices before making his comeback.

Sacramento, of course, can certainly justify the patient approach, having gone 15-2 since a 3-3 start despite significant injuries to four of its top players. Mike Bibby (foot surgery) and Hedo Turkoglu (sprained wrist) are still recovering as the Kings' Christmas Day showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers draws near, and backup center Scot Pollard is out with a long-term back injury.

Surgery has been mentioned as an option for Stojakovic, who has been plagued by various foot ailments since turning his right ankle badly in the Kings' second-round playoff series with Dallas on May 9. Hopeful instead that rest has been sufficient for its best shooter, Sacramento is 8-1 since Stojakovic last played Nov. 22.

Newly signed Jim Jackson, soaking up minutes that normally go to Stojakovic and Turkoglu, scored 23 points Sunday night in Sacramento's 24-point road rout at San Antonio.

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This just in. I doubt he'll be effective even if he plays. It will take a whole, complete, healthy Kings team for me to begin thinking "Rockets will lose".

 

Media hype??? C'mon, potential stars sitting out news sell papers.

 

I don't know if someone's beaten me to this (probably have), but I'm too lazy to read all the posts before this... so I guess there's no real reason i should expect anyone to read this.

Well we've all seen the talk about Ming possibly missing the game. Quote from the front page of Rockets.com:
"After coming down with flu-like symptoms following yesterday's practice, Yao Ming was present for today's shootaround and in good spirits. He will be in tonight's starting lineup."

 

Hey, One Question to Y'all
Alot of players do alot of flopping trying to get their opponents in foul trouble. Well i was wondering, don't players get a T if they are caught faking a flop? I thought i remember Jonhn Stockton getting them before.

I am sure Divac will be flopping tonight against yao.

I mentioned Yao is going to play, on top of this page.

 

Great to hear, thanks!

 

Rockets go on a six game winning streak starting tonight.

Rockets 98
Queens 92

 

Espn is saying that PEJA might make his return tonight

 

I dont see us winnin this one, seein how bad we got raped last time we played the Kings...and how they just made the Spurs look like an expansion team....but maybe the Rocks will look for some revenge tonight and come out strong. They'll need to against this explosive Kings team. Im not rulin out a Rocks win but I would be suprised if we could pull it out. Were at home and have the Cat back, so its not impossible.

Key Matchups:

Francis vs. Jackson:
Steve has to outplay Jackson. Jackson is an explosive player with somethin to prove. He's a good shooter and a pretty good defender. Steve should have a big game and hopefully can carry the Rocks.

Mobley vs. Christie:
I dont see the Cat havin a great shootin night jus because Christie is gonna be gaurdin him. If Francis shows he can hit tonight, look for Christie to switch to Francis and give Mobley some open looks.

Ming vs. Divac:
Yao is gonna get into foul trouble tonight. Divac is gonna be floppin all ova the place. Hopefully Yao will do enough damage b4 he fouls out. Stupid Vlade.

KT vs. Webber
No contest......

Look for Rice to have a good game tonight. He'll get some open looks.

As, i said before the Rocks have a chance to win this game but they have to be ready to play. This is game is gonna be close but the Kings are gonna pull away in the end.

Kings 102
Rocks 97

 

Kings fan here, catching up on the talk.

Yao didn't do too mucj against the Kings last game, and with him being sick - I don't expect much different.

Francis should have a better game tonight than he did last time.

It's going to be closer than many expect, as the Kings are terrible on the road with thier reduced lineup, but I think they'll be riding a high from the Spurs game.

Kins will win with strong defense: 92-89

 

Somebody please tell me why Kenny Thomas is so good!

 

oh,my god.,too many tos......

 

man, KT only scored 6 points, he is simply hot now, nothing special, too bad, our shooters like mobley and rice are still struggling! go rockets! kings started their best, so i will say it is a great chance if the team wants some real challenge!

 

YEAH BABY...

a few more minutes tell end of Q1 and VLADE already has 2 personals against him.

Yao? ZERO PERSONALS baby

theSAGE

 

Yao's struggling but getting good shots. Hope his endurance holds up tonight

 

Ming took VLADE DIVAC out!!!!
But Ming is still looking for his shooting

 

So what if Yao ain't hot YET????

Man, if Vlade is stuck on the bench, Yao will have a field day with GREAT looks. Also so far so good:

If Sac ends this quarter with 22 pts... then 22x4 is 88 pts

This pacing is looking mighty good for our Rox.



theSAGE

 

we need patience of Ming today, and we will win. I just did the same thing today and it was 3 hours patience for winning! The feeling is good!

 

Why Ming missed so many layup shots?
Are those easy ones?

Someone please tell me...

 

I like the fast breaking by the rockets. Kenny looks good when he is moving but looks terrible when he try's to go 1 on 1