[12.21.05] Rockets-Raptors Game Recap

Former Rocket Leads Charge as Raptors Embarrass Rockets, 94-81

By Dennis L. Silva, II.
12.21.05


The last time the Toronto Raptors stepped foot into Toyota Center, they witnessed one of the best scoring efforts of Yao Ming’s career (40 points). Unfortunately for the Rockets, they were without the services of Yao. As well as Derek Anderson. Or Dikembe Mutombo. Or Rafer Alston. The injury (or as of this season, “inactive”) list can go on, so losses can be expected as Houston will be playing without two of their three leading scorers for some significant time. However, if they sustain the same lethargic effort that they did on Wednesday night against the 5-20 Raptors, then they will continue to lose games even if the aforementioned contributors return. Former Rocket Mike James (traded in the offseason for Alston) led a balanced scoring Raptors attack as Toronto handled the Rockets with relative ease, winning 94-81 before 14,901 at Toyota Center.

The Rockets never led at any moment of the contest. Houston started the game by shooting a miserable 1-7 from the floor as Toronto held a 9-3 advantage midway through the first quarter. Houston’s offense was sloppy and disorganized and that was evident throughout the period. Head shot a twisting, unbalanced baseline fadeaway that was nowhere close to the basket, and David Wesley shot a contested 22-footer that barely breached the rim after he spent the previous fifteen seconds dribbling with not a sense of where to go or whom to pass to. Toronto was not perfect in its own game plan, leaving the middle wide open and available for scoring opportunities, but Houston could not capitalize due to the lack of creators on offense. As it was, Juwan Howard led the Rockets’ limited scoring with 10 points, most coming on midrange shots. Due to no legit interior presence for Houston (either offensively or defensively), Toronto managed ten points in the paint during the quarter, and held a 21-16 lead heading in the second stanza.

The Rockets’ offense saw a brief glimpse of hope early in the second. Lonny Baxter scored the first basket of his Rockets career after putting home a missed shot from Swift with 11:10 left. Moochie Norris gave the Rockets a much needed boost off the bench, scoring four early points (and 8 in the quarter), and Luther Head (9 points, 4-6 shooting) hit a long jumper. But the Rockets’ defense (due to many young and inexperienced players receiving such significant minutes) still had its concerns as Matt Bonner hit two long three-pointers, and young Raps phenom Chris Bosh (9 points, 3-6 FG), a product of Dallas’ Lincoln High School, dominated inside. The Rockets did manage to stage a final closing flourish, outscoring Toronto late in the quarter to cut their deficit to 43-48 heading into halftime, despite James (10 points, 3 assists in the first half) hitting a buzzer-beating 22-footer halt any serious momentum that Houston might have gained.

While Houston’s offense was ineffective and stagnant in its execution, it was actually their defense that was the cause for their problematic play. Houston allowed the Raptors (who entered the contest 25th in the league in field-goal percentage) to shoot a blistering 18-34 (53%) from the field. The Rockets also allowed Toronto (19th in the league in assists) to assist twelve times on their 18 overall baskets.

The third quarter began with a small nuance that spoke volumes. Baxter started the quarter in the place of Swift, who had a disappointing first half with only two points and three rebounds in his first start of the season. Swift did not re-enter the game until midway through the quarter before leaving soon thereafter after being kicked in the groin by Bosh. For the Rockets, their play did not show any progress. Ryan Bowen, who apparently has been given the green light to shoot and misfire anytime he so wishes, shot two errant attempts to start the quarter, and the Raptors bumped their lead to ten just two minutes into the game. The Rockets’ circus act on offense continued as at one point during the quarter they had accumulated five turnovers and only two field goals. Toronto’s lead ballooned to 18 after Raptors rookie Charlie Villanueva scored on a fast-break layup, and Toronto held a 70-58 edge going into the fourth quarter.

Bonner started the quarter with his third trey of the game, and Morris Peterson hit another Raptors trey as Toronto’s advantage swelled to 76-61 early. Only the shooting of Head (three 3’s in the quarter) stopped the Raptors from completely taking over as their lead would reach a max of 18. Houston went on a 10-2 run late that cut their deficit to ten, but Peterson drained yet another Toronto trey (their 9th of the game) as the Raptors eventually pulled away in a game that was nowhere as competitive as the final score indicated, 94-81.

It’s natural that the Rockets will come out on the wrong end of the scoreboard until their nucleus returns to full health, but their lack of effort and pride is inexcusable. The Rockets allowed the Raptors to grab 9 offensive rebounds, and were outscored 11-4 in transition. It is blatantly obvious that Swift is in bad graces with the Rockets’ coaching staff, but there are other issues at hand. Bowen (2-6 shooting) continues to fire away at the worst possible moments, and it has gotten to the point where opponents are completely disregarding him on the offensive end. At this point, it seems no Rocket is willing to take hold of the game and lead the charge; encourage their teammates. No one is willing to hold anyone else (or, more importantly, themselves) accountable for the play of this team. And it is that fact that will ultimately be the downfall of this basketball team if they continue with more efforts such as tonight’s.

The Rockets play at Denver Friday in what will be their last game before next Tuesday. Anderson, Alston, and Mutombo are all said to be probable for that Tuesday game against Utah, while Yao is still six weeks away, and Barry is a few weeks away as well.


ROCKETS RECAP

· Norris went down late in the second quarter with a strained right quadriceps but did return later in the second half.
· Swift compiled 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 turnovers in his 14 minutes on the floor.
· Both Joey and Stephen Graham, fraternal brothers, participated in the contest. Joey finished with 10 points on 3-3 shooting for the Raptors, while the Rockets’ Stephen scored 2 points and had a rebound and an assist.
· Five Raptors scored in double figures- James (19 points, 5 assists), Peterson (18 points, 7 assists), Bosh (17 points, 8 rebounds), Bonner (12 points), and Graham.
· Howard and Head were the lone bright spots for the Rockets. Howard finished with a season-best 21 and 12 rebounds (6 offensive), and Head scored 20 points on 4-9 3-point shooting.


http://www.nba.com/games/20051221/TORHOU/boxscore.html

 

It was quite difficult to find any positives. I noticed that I had no mention of McGrady at all, which is my fault, but the again I see it as a reflection of his impact of the game...I know he had 11 assists, but surely he realizes that this team's offense is now of his shoulders, and no one else's...