ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Mavericks @ Rockets 2/21/2003

Piston 's defnece is nothing to dallas

 

I don't have high hope for this game. But Rockets need to step up! They know better not to get blown out by Mavs 0-4 in regular season series. If we make playoffs, we are most likely to play the Mavs. If we lose regular seaon series 0-4, you can just expect a playoff sweep 0-4. If we can win this one, it will give us a huge mental boost in the playoffs.

If Rockets ever get to #7 seed, they could even surprise Kings. Rockets seem to have Kings' numbers, leading regular season series 2-1.

 

Really no excuse for the Rockets not to come out of this game with guns a blazing. They know the Mavs are better. They have been humbled by them. They want to beat this team in the worst way.

I am not sure if the Rockets will win tonight but I expect them to put forth a quality effort. I don't seem them coming into this game with a lax attitude. From all the quotes I read in the Chronicle this morning they seem pretty serious about this game and understand the challenge ahead.

Hopefully Francis plays tonight. Without him the Rockets will be in a deep hole.

Yao will be going up against Raef and Najera. Hopefully Yao will really take it to them seeing has he had a lot of trouble last time he went up against Raef. If Yao is agressive and doesn't allow Raef and Najera to push him around he will dominate.

Chris

 

Rox win 104-95, but only for this reason. They actually learn that when the Mavs go small (i.e. Walt freakin Williams is in as their 5), they actually play some zone defense. They can't win if the Mavs are sucsessful at pulling Yao from the basket.

 

This should be a pretty good game. On one hand the Mavs have owned the Rockets this year and will complete a series sweep if the win tonight. The Mavs are also wanting to extend their lead in the MidWest.

On the other hand the Rockets are in a fierce battle with the lakers for that 8th seed.

I say Mavs win by 10

 

I have been pretty critical of the Rox but after the Lakers game, I think this team is coming together. If we POUND the ball in their throats and give it to Yao and Mo T in the post every time, we will win.

What bewilders me is when Yao gets Raef and Bradley in early foul trouble and we stop going to Yao. We should continue to go to him and foul both of them out.

Rox 94
Mavs 90

Yao 18, 11 rebs, 6 blks

 

We lose. Rox 85 Mav 109

 

The keys to the Rockets winning this game are Yao getting more touches and Dallas missing their 3s. In other words, ball movement and defense. Either-or will not do...they need both to beat the Mavs and they need to beat the Mavs at least once in the regular season to prove to themselves and others that they are worthy of any kind of "playoff hype".

 

Looks like the game will be started at 7:00pm instead of 7:30pm...

 

I think this game's pretty much hopeless. I'm more focused on finding a voodoo witch for the Lakers and Suns while praying for the Blazers and the Raptors. Who would of thought it would come to this huh.

 

"Steve Francis, nursing a sore back, indicated at today's shootaround that if his back is not feeling up to par when he arrives to the arena tonight, he will probably sit this one out."
http://www.rockets.com

come on...is he scared to be on the rockets team if they get whipped again tonight? Forget reputation...we need a win!

 

come on man, that's not fair. Francis is a warrior.

 

Mavs push Yao around till he gets angry. Rudy somehow doesn't sit him down. Yao makes 3 dunks in 2 minutes over Najera, then gets a technical foul by throwing elbow into Reaf's face. ESPN plays the scene Yao sitting on the bench at the 2nd OT of Laker game and The Elbow to show people the birth of a monster.

Francis sits out of the game, learning things from Moochie.

Mobley doesn't try a single jumper, everytime he drives to the lane and gets fouled. 12-13 FT.

MoT has a fight with Don Nelson. MoT wins.

 

No hope to win at all unless dallas want to loose the game purposely. Let's focus on saturday's match -- the MUST WIN one.

 

That depends if the Mavs are hitting their 3's. It's difficult to defend 4 or 5 3-point shooters when you play zone.

 

This is exactly why Rudy needs to learn the zone defense.

 

does anyone know if this game will be on league pass or - televised elsewhere? thanks!

 

ESPN

 

thanks, im an idiot.

 

Don't know if I have the heart to go watch this game at a bar tonight.