ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Suns @ Rockets 1/15/2003

Rockets will win this one 102-97

 

Please use the chat room for "play-by-play" rather than the game thread.

I'd like to point out that comment by Clutch. This thread is getting hit pretty hard during game time.

Also, it would be cool if we could use B's Prediction thread for score predictions, too.

 

We will win. We must win!

 

You were teacher's pet in school, weren't you?

Seriously, they have to get Yao the ball more than they have been. Tsakalidis usually plays good here (he is from Houston), but there is no way he can stop Yao. Eddie hopefully will be able to handle another Houstonian in Amare Stoudamire.

The key is to stop Marbury from penetrating. Force him to shoot his jumper.

 

Yao will put up big numbers while Amare shows he really is only the 2nd best rookie in the league.

Rockets 92
Suns 81

 

in the past few years the rockets lose 9 times out of 10 following a 2-game win streak.

rockets 87
suns 94

 

Bob*

I have a feeling that until Posey, Griffin and TMo consistently hit from outside teams are going to make those guys beat them, before the smothering of Yao we saw against Boston ceases. We need Rice and Mo back. NOW!!

Mo in the high post with Yao (that double high post set) was very successful at getting Yao the ball. We didn't see that against Boston at all. That has me worried.

It is a good thing we shot 50% against that overcommitted Boston defense, so maybe other teams will refuse to try it, but I'm sure we will see more sagging onto Yao than we would with Mo and Rice.

 

If the Suns spend all night triple teaming Yao Ming like the Celtics did then he should get an assist every time someone scores a basket.

Of course I think the Suns will play Yao Ming straight up and try to push him out of the post using one man. Yao Ming will get some early touches and dominate. He will be hot as he uses this game to prepare for his meeting against Shaq.

Steve, Cat and Posey will continue to get more and more chemistry together and Posey will be the receiver of fast break baskets and a few highlight real finishes from some nice passes from Yao Ming.

Eddie and Amare will negate one another. Both will be respectable but neither will finish with double digits in rebounding or scoring.

The Rockets win this one at home:

Rockets 97
Suns 89

 

Good point HeyP. MoTay seems to be the only one on the roster who can get the ball to Yao on a consistent basis.

Yao also needs to avoid bringing the ball down low before going up for the shot. Marion and Marbury will be looking to steal it from him.

 

This game is going to come down to coaching. The talent is going to be there for both teams, but it's all about match ups in this one. And Rudy is the master of match ups. All is has to do is make sure that the Rockets don't come out half-steppin tomorrow night.

"Aint no half-steppin"
Rockets 107
Suns 89

Go Rockets!!

 

It's payback time. Yao will stuff one down Stephon Marbury's throat and drop 30 points on Amare.

Rox win going away and take their 3-game win streak to their Friday's showdown.

 

The Suns are a hot team right now, though I see the rockets winning this one, with the advantage of the 7'6" guy....what's his name? ...oh yeah YAO MING!
If Yao keeps the ball above his head, ESPECIALLY before he shoots, then the ROckets are going to roll through this one.
Yao big game...Posey...showing he belongs on this team will also happen tonight. THe rocks looked great against the Celts, and Hawkins is proving his place on this team more and more every game.

YAO keep the ball high..then no turnovers and instead points.

ROcks: 92
Suns: 83

Stating the obvious...

 

Suns will come into the game jaded after the loss to Spurs.
When they lose, they always lose two games in a row.

Wheather Yao will have double-double will depend on the strategy Suns have. Even Yao does not post high numbers tomorrow night, he will still help the team in more than one ways.[

 

I think this game is just as big or bigger than Friday's matchup. Yao vs. Amare, the 2 potential rookies of the year, both making a world of difference to their team - teams which are fiercely competing with each other for a good playoff position in the West. Also, considering what happened last time, the Rockets better have ice in their veins for this game.

Personally, I think Yao will own in this game considering what I saw in the Suns game and where he's come from then... and considering who the Suns have to gaurd him. Please live up to these expectations, Yao...

Probably a closely contested game.

Oh, and I'm also very glad that the Suns are playing the Spurs tonight cuz one of them has to lose.

 

Rockets will win, 120:80, believe it or not.!!!!

 

rockets 103
suns 100

I think its gonna be a close game and overtime might be something to think about...........

 

We "gave" the first game to the Suns, and I was also the first one of the year we "gave" away. I want agressiveness and continued ball movement. And revenge.

 

Here we have a problem. I'm really worried about Marbury versus matador D. Other than that, I'm worried about our depth in this game. If Marbury draws a couple of fouls early on Steve or Cat, this could get ugly: picture Marbury driving past Moochie.

As always, I'll be rooting for the rocks. But realistically, Suns 89-84.

 

This could be a game where Posey really shows his worth. Marion is a tough match-up, and as good as Amare is, it is Marion's elevated offensive game that has been the most critical factor to the Suns strong start.

The Suns, like most but the true elites, are poor (like 3-8) at winning road games against average teams or better. The Rockets have been good at home against average to good teams (like 9-2).

The Suns also have a tough game tonight with a depleted roster (no Jake, no Penny). Hopefully the Spurs don't blow them out early so they don't decide to chuck tonight and try to win tomarrow.

Still, all things, including the way the Rockets lost to them in Phx, point to a spirited Rockets effort and victory tomarrow. Further, IMO Phx over the next few weeks is going to lose their seperation from the middle of the pack WC teams--a lot of the good bounces they got early on are going to bouce the other way.