ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 11/21/2002

I'm going to bet on this no doubt! Rockets are going to beat the Mavericks winning streak on Thursday!!!!


Rockets: 99
Mavs: 94

 

Has anybody ever noticed that when the Mavs play well, the Cowboys suck and that when the Cowboys play well, the Mavs suck? Here's hoping for a LONG run of good seasons by the Mavericks!

Whenever I pick a Rockets loss this season, they have won, but what the hell, we have nothing to lose.

Rockets 135
Mavericks 102

Steve gets his first triple double of the season...

 

Houston Defends the win streak record.

Houston - 99
Dallas - 97

 

I don't care if Houston doesn't win a game the rest of the season... they must stop this streak. I can't bear to come to work on Friday if they lose and have to face these Mavs bandwagoners.

 

Mavs will Toast the rockets

As much as I like the rockets. I think the Mavs will come up on top easily this game. I dont think anyone on the rockets team can cover Dirk. He has a big advantage over anyone thats gaurding him. Dirk is 100% pure talent.

 

I'm really curious to see how Yao does against Bradley. Despite all the dogging Bradley gets over here, he is putting up over 10 points a game and almost as many boards.....all while playing alongside Nash, Finley, and Nowitzki.

I hope people aren't too hard on Yao if Bradley gets the better of the matchup. Bradley has used up all of his upside.

We are so similar to the Mavs in the depth of talent department....we just need to learn to play as a team like they do.

 

Rockets - 109
Mavs - 105

 

I hope the Rockets can also keep focused on the simple and little things like boxing out and making the free throws. I think the lineups and matches will be the real key.

Does anyone know if Cato should be playing on against the Mavs, and when T-Mo will return?

 

It will take a near flawless game by the Rockets to pull this one out. Despite their injury problems, the Mavs are playing excellent basketball. They are using the zone defense very well this season and I hope Rudy sits the Rockets down and makes sure they have a plan to combat that zone. Perhaps move guys like Yao or Ming up high on a post and have the guards cut inside...I'm not sure what would be best. The nice thing is that the Rockets always seem to enjoy playing the Maverick style basketball, so hopefully we give them a good game.

 

i'really looking forward to this match. I like The Yao Ming Bradley matchup, i think Yao wil not dominate Bradley,but it will be fun to see those to against each other. i'm just curieus will griffin be gaurding Nowitzki, i think he wil, i'm looking forward in that matchup as wel, and tis wil be the game for franchise to show once and for all he is better than Nash.Last year after a los a lot of people where bashing francis and saying how much better Nash is,so this year Steve will show Nash how a great player plays.

 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

 

Repost:

It is no surprise that some in the Mavs organization are concerned. First Dirk, for sure, is very impressed with our backcourt. Second, we gave them their worst beating last year and we are improved this year. 3. Although we are clearly a work in progress we could just solve their mystery on Thurs.

Do we have an answer for the mavs? Let's count the ways:

Nash: Creates and can score. If Wink is indeed improved this year, I would expect Steve to take everything out of Nash. Wink should not be lookng to stray or help, on defense. Stick with Nash like Payton would. Very important to get back on defense and stop the ball. To help that, Wink should work him on offense too. I would move Wink alot and put Nash through as many picks as possible, and even try to get him in foul trouble.

Finley: Mobley and Hawk. Again there is no need for these guys to leave Finley. If there is a frontcourt player dominating ours then let it be, do not leave Finley. The mavs cannot afford to invest, in this game, the amount of resources needed to get Finley to 20 points based on the Mobely and Hawk playing him.

PF - Dirk/Najera: Our matchup is primary EG and MoT with KT available for Najera. When Dirk is on the outside, keep him in front of you. If he goes down low, front him and plan for help from other forward or even center. Go to EG and MoT regularly as Dirk is not the best defensively and we may get a few fouls. Collectively this would make him getting 20 point a real stretch. Getting back on defense is very important here. We have to force them into a halfcourt game.

SF - Griffin/Williams: KT and Rice is a superior matchup.

Bradley: The combo of Cato, Ming, Collier and EG should be used. If we want easy baskets and pick up some fouls on Bradley and even Dirk we have to have our guys run the floor. They all can beat Bradley down the floor and should constantly get the inside passes in transition.

I would hope the Francis would not be walking up the ball because we are the faster team, pound for pound. Some may say the running is their game but I believe it is also ours and if we want to reduce the amount of times we see that zone of theirs then we should get into our offense quickly. Are we equipped to run all game? I think that is what depth is all about. We have the horses. Throw everything at them. Even give Dirk a little bit of Ming.

If I were playing the rockets, I would be scared.

 

Call me crazy, but I say the Rocket win. I will be close one for sure, a lot of really good match ups in this game. We have to end this streak!! If we do, it will send a message to the rest of the league that the Rockets are a force to be reckoned with! I just hope we continue to run a few “REAL” plays like we did against the Cavs. I like our team defense in last night’s game as well. Francis has to put that longhaired foreign hippie in his place…………..perhaps light him up for 35 pts, 10 assists, 13 boards and 4 steals. I also say that Ming shows up Bradley. No way he’s as quick or as coordinated as Ming. GO ROCKETS!!


Rockets 105

Smallas Mavericks 97

 

Rockets 95
Mavs 94

It will be just like the Suns and Lakers games -- it will come down to the final shot of the game. Dallas will have the ball, but will fail to score.

 

There is nothing wrong with being a realistic Rockets fan. It will take either:

1) a flawless defensive game and a more fluid offensive game then we've demonstrated this year or

2) a completely off game by the Mavs

for the Rockets to win. I'm not saying it won't happen, but taking off the Rocket glasses for a second, I'd put my money on the Mavs.

 

Have a little faith guys. The glass isn't always half empty. We might win, then again we might loose. I think we'll play well. Hopefully we'll win and get some long overdue respect. Should nevet the less be an exciting game. Later.

 

Who is going to take on Dirk?

 

That would have to be Eddie I would hope. He just needs to watch the fouls. Hawkins could see some playing time on Dirk as well.

 

Pound it inside!

Attack the rim on every possession. Muscle out. Dallas is a finesse team. Houston should use its big bench to wear down and foul out Dirk. No Dirk, no mavs. Switch C and PF and foul out Dirk and Bradley. Use our superior quickness and frontcourt depth.