ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Timberwolves 12/21/2002

4 in a row over a division foe?? Let's hope so!!!

 

Hopefully the Wolves are gonna be more tired than the rox. If we can clamp down on D, Garnett's gonna be our only big problem. I'm thinking Posey will be playing more to try to counter Garnett? I really hope our D doesn't disappear because we're playing back to back, don't want this game to turn into a regular old shootout. Dunno, but I think the Rox will pull out with a win.

 

Nice Flow lol!

But seriously....I think this is a big game for the Rockets. For the first time this year, we're 5 games over .500 and looking strong. We just signed Posey which will make us even stronger. But if we win tonights game, which i believe is in Minnesota, we will be six games over .500 with four straight games at home after the fact. There is a great possibility that the Rockets could have a record of 20-10 on New Years Eve. That would be a great present to all Rocket fans.

Cod



P.S. Cuttino's game last night was awesome!!! Just thought I had to say that to support the Cat.

 

Hmmm, Yao vs. KG. What a matchup!

 

I'll be the first to predict a Rockets Win!!!!

Now for the breakdown:

Both teams coming off back-to-backs with the T-pups losing a tough one in Boston last night. The key in my opinion will be whether or not EG is going to play? Because Mo has the strength to take it KG for a while, but the Rocks need both PF's to team up on him all throughout the game.

As of the last few year, the puppies have pooped all over the Rockets more often than not. But the pups have not done so well this year, in relation to the past years, where they have flown out the gate. Plus Scribbleback is still injured...good. Just stop KG and watch the 80 year olds Rod Strickland and Kendall Gill fall on their walkers.

Also, I have this feeling that KG and Franchise have some kind of ON COURT animosity. Just a feeling. They're both so fierce and tough competitors. Like in the past where Francis would shoot a shot after the whistle and KG would go up and swat it with a mad look. Maybe I'm just crazy.

Also, the Rocks need to shoot well because Minnesoty has that freaking zone manned by long ass freaks in the middle. I forsee Yao Ming having problems, because Minn is really long with KG, Joe Smith, Nesterovic, and Marc Jackson who can body.

 

We have not matched up well against the timberpuppies the last few years. This would be a great win on the road against a good team if we can get it. It would make a great confidence builder.

I also hope we see Posey since we traded for him. Come on Rudy, get the guy involved already. KT played 22 minutes last night for Philly...

 

Very tough one, because Timberwolvers definitely want this one at home after 2 loss on the road. If win, it's huge win, you almost can say Rockets belong to top three in the west. If loss, still need to be reidentified from other teams located around 4-10 in the west. only 1-2 game different among them.

 

I think we should have Posey just try to check Garnett all night long. Play a box and 1 zone, but with Posey as the 1 and always close to Garnett. That should put a couple of shot-blockers down low and make them turn into a jump-shooting team. I don't think the timberpups can stop all our weapons on offense, especially Yao, so we should be able to pull out a victory.

 

3 Keys To Winning In Minnesota

1) Ball Movement - the Rockets cannot try to single-handedly break the Wolves' zone. Swing it around and find the open man. AND KNOCK IT DOWN!

2) Glen Rice - He is our most dependable 3pt. shooter, and he has to show that tonight when he has open looks.

3) Eddie/Mo's D - These two will have their hands full tonight with KG constantly attacking and manuvering around the basket. If they are somehow able to contain him, then this game will be a piece of cake.


There you have it.

 

Big game for us - good to beat these kinds of foes to give us tiebreaker advantages.

scutmb: Agreed but San Antonio belongs in that elite too, with their very impressive road wins recently, so top four, which is quite fine with me.

Kim: I wonder about that too - I remember some incidents too, but I heard the announcer mention that KG just doesn't like after the whistle shots being tossed in the basket (which Francis did) so maybe it isn' t personal. Let's see what happens.

I think we'll miss KT tonight - he was instrumental in our last win here. I'm a bit pessimistic about tonight for some reason. Can Posey help deny KG the ball? That's a big frontline, and it will be up to the guards to make it happen. Unfortunately, we just don't seem to shoot well two games in a row, so I'll go with:

T-Wolves 92 - KG 26 points, 14 boards
Rockets 85

EG 11 points, 9 boards
Yao 12 points, 8 boards

 

I think the Rockets will win this game if they keep up with ball movement. Look at the Timberwolves vs. the Rockets starting line up:

PF: Gary Trent vs. Eddie Griffin - slight advantage Griffin
SF: Rice vs. Garnett- Garnett
C: Ming vs. Nesterovic - Ming
SG Mobley vs. kendall Gill- Mobley
PG Francis vs. Hudson - Francis.

Look at the Timberwolves line up you don't see any star except for Garnett. Terrell Brandon and Wally S. usually had good game against us in the past. Both are out with injury so Houston should be able to take them unless they they decide to play selfishly. If you look at the Minnesota line up, I think they were able to have a over 500 records mainly because of Garnett and they play smart. Base on talent wise, Houston should win this game.

 

Tonight's matchup is between the top 2 efficient players per 48 minutes.

1. Kevin Garnett ( Minnesota Timberwolves) 27 34.10
2. Yao Ming ( Houston Rockets) 25 33.28

http://www.nba.com/statistics/default_48_minute_leaders/LeagueLeadersEFF8Query.html

 

with brandon and szczerbiak injured, the wolves rely WAY too much on one guy.

i'd say we win it by about 10 points.

 

Yao Ming's production should come close to negating Garnett's(I love saying that). This game will be won by the guards. The Timberpups lack perimeter defense. Look for another big game from Mobley and Rice. If either of those two can carry the momentum over from last night, Rockets win by 15. Otherwise, the Pups will win in the last minute.

 

I am hoping the rocks can pull this one.

KG is really good. I think KG will try to dunk over yao ming.

Pass the ball, rocks will win.

 

Man, I think I'd rather see Rice try to guard Gary Trent than Griffin (if he plays). Griffin would get worked over on the block -- Trent is a big, nasty mofo. And it's not like you'd be taking Griffin away from the bucket since Garnett isn't the proto 3 that sets up outside.

 

If we play like we did against Atlanta, plus a positive Griffin, then it's all gonna be good and fun to watch!

 

According to the ESPN game recap, Eddie Griffin missed the Atlanta game "due to personal reasons"

Has anyone learned more about this?

-- droxford

 

I'll be the third or fourth person to predict that the Rockets will win...

UNLESS

Eddie Griffin does not play. If Eddie Griffin isn't playing tonight, it will be a little tougher.

BUT

If Rudy lets James Posey play, he may help our team. Yesterday, he played for about three minutes and had one personal foul. He made a nice pass to Moochie although Moochie missed.
Kenny Thomas played a lot yesterday for the 76ers and contributed 11 points. He did well and people actually passed the ball to him.

But the Timberwolves' two best players besides KG are injured so we should win easily if everybody does well and Yao does not faint.