ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Cavaliers @ Rockets 11/19/2002

The Cavs only score about 84 pts a game. Clearly one of the leagues worst. The Rockets are a top ten defensive team as far as scoring goes only giving up 88 a contest.

On the other side the Cavs give up about 94 pts a game and the Rockets score about 91 a game.

Our players are still learning each other but we are starting to see some of the best low post play that we have had in a couple of years with Yao Ming, Mo Taylor and Kenny T. Yao Ming and Mo T have both gotten better and better with each game.

In the back court the Cavs don't have a Penny Hardaway or Stephon Marbury or Kobe Bryant type of player so I expect Cat to pick up his game a little bit. Our back court has had two sub par games and I just can't see three in a row.

With Dallas coming up on Thursday to this is a game that we should win going away. Expect more growing pains though as Rudy continues to play with the rotations and players continue to learn each other while learning the offense.

Houston 96
Cleveland 81

 

I hope J-Hawk gets plenty of time defending Ricky Davis. Hawkins is the perfect defender for a guy like Davis. Someone who gets up in their face but is also adept at moving their feet and taking the charge when the player he is guarding gets overzealous and experiences some tunnel vision, which Davis is often want to do. With Miles out, if Davis has a tough game being guarded by Hawkins, then it will be up to Ilgauskas to beat us, and I don't see that happening.

 

BTW I don't think Cato will be back until the Rockets return to Houston.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/basketball/nba/stories/111802txcnrockets.5f705.html

I don't know how accurate that is but there it is.

 

Why does everyone keep stating that since Darius Miles is out Cleveland is Weaker. Please, if any thing they are better with out him. This guy simply sucks. His fg% is simply ridiculous (38%) and he only average 12pts a game. His free throw percentage is not that much better at 48%. If any thing worry about Cleveland real threats like Ricky Davis (this guy is a stud), Tyrone Hill, or Iggy their big man in the middle. Who ever is coming off the bench behind Miles most likely will try to have a big game as well, to show that they should start and not him, and frankly it shouldn't be to hard.

By the way we should still win with out much of a problem; just stop mentioning his sorry a$$ as if he was half way decent. Maybe one day he will be, but the way he's been playing ( I have seen him play off and on this year on NBA league pass ) it won't be this year.

 

I hope this is a game that Boki gets some minutes...I think he will get lost in the shuffle if Rudy doesn't give him some min.

If we win, and Boki plays a part it will only serve to help the mindset of the bench depth, which we need to further into the late season and the playoffs.

 

Regardless of what his averages are, he is certainly capable of having a big night...moreso than most of the Cavs (Davis and Ilgauskas are probably the only ones better at it). That is reason enough to be glad he is out.

 

If he isn't, who is? Brad Miller? Kandi? Vlade? Dikembe?

Considering the state of centers in the league, an arguement can be made for Ilgauskas.

 

Big Z is doing great things for my fantacy team, I'm happy about his performance so far.

 

The reason why i said Cleveland is weaker is becuase the player who's going to back Davis up is going to have a disadvantage against us. We can take over a mismatch on the position. I think Dejuan is in from the injury but I haven't payed attention to the Cavs that much.

 

If it wasn't for Ilgauskas' foot injury the last several years, he'll be clear cut the second best center in the league right now behind shaq...he's got some great skills for a 7-3 guy...

 

I'd have to disagree. My vote for 2nd best center in the NBA would have to be Vlade.

score will be:

Rockets 98
Cavs 79

Don't forget, the Cavs are playing the Spurs tonight (as I type this), and then they play the Rockets tomorrow night. They're gonna be TIRED. And being on the road, that means a lower score for them, and a higher score for us.

-- droxford

 

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a monster, he has just been injury prone. He is the guy we need to stop, but with Cato out I don't think we will be able to. But Francis and Mobley should both have big games and cancel out Ilgauskas big night.

 

Ilgauskas hasn't found his shot yet, I hope it will not happen tomorrow.

 

The game is on Tuesday.If Cato is joining the team today,than why isn't he available for the game tomorrow?
Yao is a far better offensive player than Bradley but he still is little bit behind on rebounding,position defense and shot blocking. Keeping out of foul trouble will again be something to look out for in the game.

 

This is the kind of game the Rox too typically sleepwalk through. They better not, Luke'll be poised to grab a W any way he can.

How many will show for the game? At least 5, the Rox, I hope.

 

Z's stats vs Spurs tonight:

MIN FGM-A 3GM-A FTM-A OFF DEF TOT AST PF ST TO BS PTS
32 7-15 0-0 11-12 4 4 8 3 3 1 2 1 25

The guy goes to the line a lot. Yao Ming and our other big men need to watch out the fouls.

 

91 Rockets
88 Cavs

Rockets pull out a victory after leading most of the game by as many as 15 points. Cat gets a bucket with 5 seconds left to seal the game.

 

the cavs have, for the greater part, been quite competetive in the games they've played so far. They've had a few (at least 2...) upset wins so far this season, so we shouldn't get too "up ourselves". We'll still win, but it wont be the whitewash everyone thinks it will be.

rox 96
cavs 87

 

I agree with because24 - Darius Miles has been very disappointing. How long will the hype from high school last? He has done nothing in the NBA, and he is getting more and more minutes. I think Cleveland is better off without him.

I think Yao won't get many minutes against Cleveland(I think he should though) and Francis and Mobley help the Rockets pull out a close one - 91 - 89.

 

Rockets 103
Cavs 85

They're gonna get blown out, their back court is no match for Mobley and Francis. Either Mobley or Francis scores over 35, whoever Ricky Davis is not guarding. The main problem is gonna be Iggy, hes been scoring big numbers and getting a good amount of boards. I hope Yao gets some time against him and is able to learn something from him.

As for Yao
12 pts 7 rbs 1 blk 25 min and will not start. Rudy doesn't wanna rush Yao and its very apparent when he takes Yao out of last minute situations. Also, I don't think Rudy would punish Cato for the missed practices because he had a legit reason: his grandmother died.

Starting five would be

Francis Mobley K.Thomas Mo.T Cato
PG SG SF PF C
or

Francis Mobley K.Thomas Mo.T Griffin

does anybody know when Rice will be coming back?