ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 3/26/2003

Rox: 85

Fakers: 83

I like the Rox matchup and I think we'll win for RudyT...

 

I havent been to a post for awhile...I missed you guys
My predictions:

Yao Ming:40 pts 15RBS 4 AST

SHAQ: 24 pts 13 RBS 5 FOULS



ROX 103 Lakers 98

GO YAO!

 

HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich will be out indefinitely as he begins treatment for cancer on the surface of his bladder.

Tomjanovich, who had been expected to rejoin his team for tonight's home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, told reporters Wednesday he will take a leave of absence as he begins weekly treatments.

"After all the things that have gone on, in talking with the doctors and in talking with (owner Les Alexander), we've all agreed that the best thing for me to do is to take a leave of absence," Tomjanovich, 54, said. "I believe it will be the best thing for me to do at this time."

The Rockets, 37-33 and vying for a berth in the Western Conference playoffs, have 12 games remaining in the regular season.

Tomjanovich announced March 16 he would undergo testing for a bladder condition. Two days later, team physician Dr. James Muntz said the coach had transitional cell cancer on his bladder, which would be treatable by applying medication to the organ without surgery.

The team initially said Tomjanovich would rejoin the team during a five-game road swing it began the day of his test, then announced he would miss the entire trip. The Rockets went 2-3 under interim coach Larry Smith.

Smith will continue to coach the Rockets on Wednesday in the third clash between star centers Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers and Rockets rookie Yao Ming.

Tomjanovich said he got over a bladder infection about a month ago and went in for routine follow-up testing. One came back negative, but another came back positive for cancer, leading to the more extensive test March 17 that confirmed the abnormal cells.

Tomjanovich never had missed a game in 11 seasons as head coach.

He has spent his entire 33-year professional career with the Rockets as player, scout, assistant coach and head coach. He led the Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and '95.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0326/1529665.html here is the link

 

The Rockets can either do two things.

1) Mope around, and go through the motions and feel sorry for Rudy, be thinking about his situation too much and allow the Lakers to beat them ala the Portland and Seattle games to start the last road trip.

2) Sack up, wear their heart on their sleve and go out and play HARD and INTESE basketball to "WIN for Rudy" and get this team to the playoffs. Lay it all on the line.

Let's see what types of players we have.

 

Vegas has Lakers by two.

 

I'll take it:

http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1004068

DIME PREVIEW: Lakers at Rockets
BY BRYAN HOROWITZ
Dime Magazine
Mar. 26, 2003 11:33 a.m.
The Deal
The best one-on-one matchup in the League this year, or at least the most intriguing, is that of Yao Ming against Shaquille O’Neal. Unfortunately, although the Rockets have played the Lakers three times this year (winning two), Yao has only been able to match up with Shaq once because of injuries to the Big Aristotle in the beginning of the season and then more recently. However, their one matchup was spectacular, with Shaquille outscoring Yao 31-10 and outrebounding him 13-10, but with Ming blocking 6 shots to Shaq’s none, including three blocks of Shaq to begin the game. Most importantly, Houston won the game in OT, and a rivalry was born. A lot has happened since then, especially to the Lakers, who have jetted to the 7th spot in the Playoffs while Houston has stayed mired in eighth, only one game ahead of Phoenix. Shaq will want to get some revenge against Ming and keep the Lakers rolling towards the Playoffs while the Rockets will continue to fight for their postseason lives.


Dime Magazine celebrates the game of basketball and its culture. Subscribe now for the hottest features on basketball players and the music, clothes, cars and honeys they love.
The Weapons
There has not been a single Lakers game this season that a player other than Shaq or Kobe Bryant has led L.A. in scoring. Even when Shaq is on the shelf – actually, especially when Shaq is on the shelf – Kobe has completely dominated this season, drawing legit comparisons to the MJ of old. But is Los Angeles good enough to beat Sacramento this year? San Antonio? Dallas? Time will tell, but it definitely helps them that the first round series has been lengthened to best-of-seven.
Houston is the only team that had two All-Star starters, even if one of them probably shouldn’t have been one. Regardless, say what you will about Yao Ming’s All-Star status, but he’s changing the game as a player as well as a corporate pitchman. Yao’s season stats of 13 points, 8 boards, and 2 swats a game don’t look all that impressive (except the blocks), but he’s been absolutely tearing it up since he entered the starting lineup in late November. For a little while, it looked like Yao was hitting the rookie wall, but Rudy T has vowed to cut his minutes to keep him fresh for the stretch run. Ming has even taken the attention away from Stevie Franchise, which is pretty tough to do. Yao’s All-Star teammate is averaging 23 points, 6 dimes, and 6 boards, while collecting loads of steals and 3’s. Unfortunately, Francis also leads the league in turnovers, but you take the bad with all the good that he brings to the team. Cuttino Mobley is an excellent third option. He has a tendency to take the difficult shot, but he also plays the most minutes per game on the team, ahead of even Francis, and can score in bunches. If James Posey ever develops into what he was beginning to become in Denver (a good sign is that he led Houston in scoring in their last game) and if Eddie Griffin ever turns into the player that his talent dictates he should be, this team will reach a new level. As it stands, the Rockets will have to fight to make the Playoffs this year, but better, more dominant days are ahead.
The Drama
It’s a tough game to call. Shaq has picked up steam since returning from injury while Ming is fading somewhat, but it’s still about as tough a matchup as Shaq has in the League. Los Angeles has no match for Francis, but Houston can’t guard Bryant either. In a case like this, look for the desperate team to win out. Houston is that team. In addition, they’re much better at home than on the road, and the Lakers are weaker away from L.A. Kobe will go off, and Shaq will probably take advantage of Yao, but look for the Rockets to grit out a win behind their solid backcourt and keep just ahead of the game as they drive towards the Playoffs.
The Prediction
Rockets, 91-87

 

The original post asked for any audio links. But everyone is talking about wins and losses. I think he wants a audio password to listen to the game.

 

this has been posted 10 times already. But ok.

 

In basketball, I don't think you can finish a game tied. They have this thing called overtime.

 

Offensively:
PnR
Defensively:
Doule team Shaq

Rox 104
Laker 97

 

One minor thing:

Clutch has it on the frontpage that the game time is 7:30. But everywhere I check it's 8:00. Can anybody confirm the time?

 

Does anyone know who will ref the game tongiht?

Dick Bavetta? If so, I predict Samaki Walker will hit a 3 some time during halftime and the Lakers will win by 2.

 

Hey, guess what! A positive post about Larry Smith...ick, as much as he hasn't done for us...but here goes anyway.

Fortunately, he had the luck of us destroying the Clippers, so he kept both Stevie and Yao's minutes down, so they have no excuse for not being fresh for tonight. Very smart move, because we're going to need both of 'em on top of their game to have a chance. As much as everyone wants to deny it, the Lakers are still one of the best teams in the league, if only because of Shaq and Kobe. Steve has been playing well lately, and contrary to the article above, Steve has dropped to about #8 in the league in TO's going from about 4.1 to 3.75. Very nice.

Umm...no predictions from me, seeing how totally unpredictable the Rox are, but I really believe we can beat the crap out of them as long as we keep the role players in check. Shaq and Kobe are going to put up their numbers, but the two of them have to get help if they want to win. STEVE, PAY ATTENTION! He absolutely has to stick to Fisher tonight, everyone remembers the Kevin Ollie fiasco in Seattle...Fox shouldn't be much of a threat if Posey stays with him...Horry isn't dangerous until the ball rolls to him with 2 seconds left...and that's about all the depth they have. Ooh, don't come at us with Samaki Walker or Kareem Rush! Or even worse, Jannero Pargo!

Yeah, we really need this game, just like we need every game. We should have an advantage with our stars rested and the Lakers coming off an away game in Atlanta. So, go big red...or gold...or blue or whatever, I don't know anymore. GO ROX!

 

Oh, yeah, the game IS starting LATE at 8:00, I think because of all the extra security measures cuz of the Iraq war and us being on the red alert for terrorism.

 

Rockets: 112
Lakers:103

 

I agree with Bill Walton. If the Rockets play the Lakers game, then the Lakers will win. The Rockets need to play their own game.

 

I'm sorry, guys. Since most of the posters here have tried to jinx Rockets' winning the game by overwhelmingly predicting a win, I have to unjinx it:

Rockets 105
Lakers 113

Lakers wins in first OT.

 

Shaq is the healthiest he's been all season; Kobe is Kobe. It'll be a tough, close, hard-fought game. Hopefull the Rox come out on top!!