ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 1/29/2003

There is nothing we as BBS posters can say about the Mavs matchup, that Stevie Franchise has not already said for us.

 

I expect James Posey to play well.

 

Nowitski is gonna go off on us. Nash will continue to "school" Stevie and Steve will try to make it into a Steve against Mavs type match. Mobeley will shoot us out of the game with his erratic jumpers. Yao will not touch the ball.

Mavs 100 Rox 89

 

see sig

 

Francis and Cat will play tough D, but shoot the ball every time. It's going to be a low score game.

Mav 89 - Rox 81

 

A win here trumps the 4 game losing streak...go rox

 

Keys to Victory or at least a commendable effort:


1. Move the ball. Play as one team.

2. No mastubation on the court of play (ball masturbation that is).

3. Play solid D - and please do not let Steve Nash get penetrate easily to set up his deadly shooters. You cannot out-score them.

4. Limit unforced TO as much as possible. Love and cherish every possesion.

 

unfortunately, we lose again.

Mav 98
Rox 92

 

Formula to win:

- Establish Yao early. Rockets must not begin the game with outside jacks that play right into the fastbreaking hand of Mavs. Dallas doesn't want to get into a grind-out matchup, especially if Yao has it going and is setting up teammates for easy looks in the halfcourt. This doesn't mean pass to Yao on first play and then forget about him for the rest of the quarter becuase by then it will painfully obvious (once again) that one-on-one doesn't work against good teams.

- Physical defense and limit Nash penetration. Francis and Mobley will have to stop thinking about offense for a second and concentrate on containing Nash and Mobley. Trading baskets with their guards won't do because their forwards will outscore Rockets by a mile.

- Play smart and stick to the aforementioned game plan. When the Mavs go on a run (which they certainly will), Rox guards must not ballhog and forget about their teammates. If they do, and it happens early in the game, it not be a game I can stomach.

 

I can hope. We can all hope. But Dallas has been destroying us. They must be 3 deep at every position.

Rox better at least make it a game, because this is one that I can watch (thank you ESPN; and by the way, Bill Walton, if you're calling the game--and why wouldn't you be?---stay away from Yao's Wang).

 

I'll say that we win, Steve has nine assists, then gets lambasted for not passing the ball enough...

 

Currently the 8th seed, the Rockets need some Wins. No matter who they play.

Rockets 111
Mavs 97

I'm going to be foolishly optimistic on this one.

 

That is fine with me.

Oh btw way I like Boring basketball. I don't mind seeing one from the Rox tonight.

 

Dallas has the Rockets' number.

Dallas 95
Houston 85

 

Cuttino Mo'Ball-ley will jack up more shots than Yao's total shot attempts. But i think this will be a good test for our team. you know they are all aware of what everyone's saying. The question is can we come out and play team ball. If they can play team ball with lot of passing and good defense, I think the Rockets have a good chance. But if Mobley begins his usual 'i gotta get my shots in' mentality, forget it. Rockets will lose by 20 again. I'm sorry, but that's my gut feeling

 

Dont forget Steve's 1-12 last match vs Mav

 

Get the ball to Yao on offense and move out of the way

Let Posey guard everyone and move out of the way

And finally, destroy the Mavs like last year at Compaq (which was one of the games I attended, by the way). 124-87, baby. Lez do it again.

 

After reading that Michael Murphy story in this morning's Chronicle, the Mavericks will be boiling. They will be extra tough to beat with that kind of feature story motivating them.

 

Yao Ming is going to have to play big if this game is even going to be close. Alot of things are going to have to go right for Houston in this one. The way they have been playing lately you would be crazy to believe they would run Dallas out of the building. But Dallas isn't exactly looking like a world championship team with their last few blunders including a game with Portland at home. While I believe Dallas is still a premiere team in the west they are vulnerable. The way Steve Francis and Cat have been dropping smack on them you would think they would be ready and prepared for this game. Dirk is going to have his. We can't contain him all night. But with Rice returning I do like the case some have made with him being a good complementary player to Yao. The league respects Rice's shot. We have very few players who demand this much respect. While I believe it could very well be a long night for the Rockets, Houston does play big on ESPN. I'll play optimist tonight and take Houston.

96-92 Houston