ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 1/17/2003

Rockets win this one 97-95

 

I CANT WAIT!

 

just want to re-emphasize that Clutch is turning off the BBS towards the end of the game.

see his post in this thread
use the Chat

 

oh, and forgot to add, I'm taking bids on Nachbar getting into the rotation tomorrow!!

 

Nachbar getting into the rotation? Against the Lakers? Nah, unless you're implying we're gonna be blown out, but I'm pretty sure you, hp, wouldn't do THAT.

Tough call... Lakers and Rox are both playing well. What I'm afraid of is if Shaq starts really abusing Yao, RT will still play Yao more than 30 minutes instead of relying a bit more on Cato. DEFENSE! We need really really good defense from everybody.

Rox by 4.

 

ROX win 98-90

Yao w/ 18pts, 12 boards, 3 blks

Shaq w/ 22pts, 10 boards, 2 blks

Cato w/ 2 alley-oops.......

 

I'm not one for predictions. But I'm predicting Nachbar gets Hawkins' minutes tomorrow, and Posey doesn't get the 42 minutes he got against the Suns.

 

Cato with one toe stomp as well........

 

I'm gonna be @ the game and i'm gonna cheer my gut out for the Rockkets......
BEAT LA...BEAT LA .... BEAT LA ... BEAT LA ... BEAT LA

 

What makes you think that Hawkins will have fewer minutes?

 

because defending the Lakers SFs is an easy assignment. This is a perfect matchup for getting Nachbar out there.

 

For those of you that think that Nachbar will get any playing time tomorrow night....think about this:

Rudy didn't even put him in when DAN FREAKING LANGHI was in the game last night......that alone should tell you how anxious Rudy is to get Nachbar in the important games...

 

For what it is worth, I did some number crunching and came up with my owner personal keys to the game and things to watch for:

1) Yao v. Shaq – I think this match-up will end up being somewhat anti-climatic. In the last 5 games (all Laker wins), the opposing team’s centers have averaged 9 fouls a game guarding Shaq so there is a very high probability that Yao will have some foul trouble at some point in the game. Hopefully, Yao can return the favor and get Shaq into foul trouble also. In the end, Shaq will get his. With Yao’s recent struggles from the field in conjunction with his bum knee, I would be shocked to see Yao win this battle. I predict that Rudy will throw quite a few double teams at Shaq and doubt he will let Yao guard him one on one on a consistent basis. I am guessing we will see a lot of Cato and maybe a little Collier.
2) Laker’s 3 point shooting - Because of the double teams that Shaq is sure to see, our defensive rotation will be key. As a team, the Lakers have shot 40% from long range the last 5 games. In particular, Fox, Fisher and Bryant have been shooting very well from 3 point range the last 5 games (Fox 62%, Fisher 50% and Kobe 50%). We will have to find a way to limit their open looks from long range.
3) Who will see the most time guarding Kobe Bryant: James Posey or Cuttino Mobley? – Personally, I would like to see Posey on Bryant with Cuttino checking Rick Fox. In the end, I am sure they will both see time guarding Kobe. While Cat’s D can be very good at times, most of us agree that his D is usually sporadic. The last thing I want to see is Cuttino trying to match Kobe point for point and shot for shot (history tells us that Cuttino has fallen into this trap once or twice). Posey has show he is willing to do the dirty work. Fox is not a big inside player, so I am guessing that Mobley should be able to handle his size.
4) Eddie Griffin – In the last 5 games, Eggie has really come on, averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and is shooting 45% from the field. With all the focus that Yao and Shaq will get on ESPN, this would be a great time to see Eggie come out of the shadows and steal a little bit of the spot light. I personally feel that EG is primed for a huge game. Samaki Walker has been a decent rebounder this year but has been pretty bad offensively. Eddie needs to keep him off the boards and not let him have any garbage shots. In my mind, Eddie can really make this match-up a mis-match if he puts his mind and body into it.
5) Steve Francis – Biggest mismatch on the court. Steve should dominate Fisher. However, he has to keep his eye on him as to limit his open 3 point looks. If Steve cheats on the passing lanes too much, Fisher will burn him. Also, Steve needs to keep up the good assist/turnover ratio he has exhibited in the last 2 games (3/1).


My prediction: I have a gut feeling this game will go into Overtime and the Rockets will scratch out a 104-102 win.

Beat L.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

we'll lose. lakers are playing good, we can't stop kobe to save our lives, and the advantage we usually have with yao is gone. and for some reason i feel the lakers chumps (except for horry, horry's cool) will be hitting their 3's, which will make it nearly impossible to win.

lakers 104
houston 91

 

Steve needs to be extra careful to not get into foul trouble. Seems lately that he has had some key offensive fouls. Fisher is one of the premier floppers in the league, so Steve needs to be careful not to put himself into too many situations where the refs will give him a flop.

 

Ok, I predict Yao has a great game! Just because its a national tv showcase.

If rox move the ball well, 102-98 rox.

 

Rockets win.........they will win.......as far as the Yao/Shaq matchup, Yao may not dominate, but will contribute enough to help Rockets win. Rockets 94 lakers 88

 

This is the biggest game for the Rockets in at least four years. Francis and Mobley will have to play their very best basketball, because Yao is going to be destroyed. I love Yao, but I will be surprised if he scores over five points, and Shaq scores under 35. If Yao hadn't hit the wall so soon, I'd expect a better game, but he has.

The "other" Rockets are going to have to take over, since all the focus will be on Yao-Shaq. If Houston is somehow able to contain Kobe, then they have an excellent chance of winning.

My prediction: The Rockets haven't won more than three games in a row yet, and they won't all season. Shaq will score 37 in 35 minutes, and Kobe will get 32 in 35 minutes.

It won't even be close by the fourth quarter, though the Rockets will make the score look somewhat respectable.

Lakers: 100
Rockets: 90

This will be a crushing blow in the race for a top-4 playoff spot. I expect two more losses (at SA, Dallas) to follow.

 

I just found this:

O'Neal vs. Olajuwon

First meeting: Nov. 24, 1992 (at Orlando)
Final score: Orlando 107, Houston 94

First meeting
O'Neal: 12 pts. (50.0 FG%), 13 Reb. Olajuwon: 22 pts. (40.9 FG%), 13 Reb.

http://espn.go.com/nba/s/2003/0116/1493700.html