ClutchFans Game Thread: Hornets @ Rockets 4/14/2007

First?
OMG Win!!!
I've never been first before. This is so lame, but I'm loving it.

NOK
Starters
C: Marc Jackson 6'10", 253 lbs. last 4 games: 9ppg, 8.5reb


PF: David West 6'9", 240 lbs. last 4 games: 20.8ppg, 8.8reb


SF: Rasual Butler 6'7", 205 lbs. last 4 games: 13.5ppg, 34.5% 3pters


SG: Devin Brown 6'5", 220 lbs. last 4 games: 15ppg, 5.5 rebs


PG: Chris Paul 6'0", 175 lbs. last 4 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8 ast


Bench
FC: Hilton Armstrong 6'11", 235 lbs. last 4 games: 18mpg, 4ppg, 3.3 rebs
PG: Bobby Jackson 6'1", 185 lbs. last 4 games: 24.8mpg, 10.5ppg
PG: Jannero Pargo 6'1", 175 lbs. last 4 games: 19.3mpg, 7ppg

The Hornets have been decimated by injuries: Chris Paul, Peja Stoyakovic, David West, and Bobby Jackson have missed major time. Now Tyson Chandler and Desmond Mason are out for the stretch run, and those have been the 2 healthiest starters all season long.

The Hornets have had the Rockets' number all season long, but I believe the Rockets have a very good chance to take this game. The Hornets are still quicker than the Rockets, but without Mason and Chandler they are less athletic and smaller than usual. Chandler has always given Yao problems in terms of board domination...he's bigger than the average center and very athletic...but now with just Marc Jackson and rookie Hilton Armstrong, Yao should have a huge advantage.

While journeyman Devin Brown has been a nice midseason pickup due to the injuries, he's no one to fear. He has skills though, so if you don't guard him fairly, he will knock down the J, drive the whole, make the pass and grab the rebound. He's legit, just not special in any way.

In addition to the size advantage up front, T-Mac will be guarded by midgets. T-Mac needs to take advantage of this and hit his shots because his looks will be better than normal. If they double Mac off the screen, I think Battier, Rafer, and Head are going to have High Quality looks all night long considering their recovering defenders are all short.

Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson penetration will create points for them, and I don't expect Rafer or Luther to be great at staying in front of them, so the main issue here is for the rotation defense to be sharp. Yao has been showing high on the PnR much more the last few games b/c JVG is gearing up for the stretch run. Doing that will prevent Chris Paul from making a direct pass inside for a score...I hope the defense is ready for the NOK quickness.

Basically I feel good about the game. The size advantage is there so I'm expecting complete board and inside domination. While the other losses were disappointing, they were understandable. This time around, the Rockets should win. They will win.

 

win.

108:100

Tmac: 38pts,5asts,6rebs

Yao: 7pts,11rebs,5fouls,9 Turnovers

 

Rockets Win!

 

Time to clinch that HCA, Rockets win big resting starters in the 4th 104-88.

 

Rockets win 98:75!

 

Top 5!

Rockets win, T-Mac and Yao with spectacular performances once again.

 

Win! 95-86

If we win this game and Utah looses to Dallas and Pheonix in the back to back, we clinch HCA, right?

 

This is another important game and we should win.
Win this game and book the HCA by this weekend.
112-98, rox win.

 

If Rockets win, we clinch the home court with the Jazz losing both to the Mavs and Suns over the weekend!!!!

 

why do we always struggle against these guys?

Well, if Rafe doesnt get ejected in the first qtr again, this time, its a win.

rocks 106
hornets 95

 

Win!!

88-81

You go Yaozers!!! No Chandler = domination!

 

This time Rox WIN! and not just a win but a blow out win!!

CP is going down baby!!

 

this will be a tough game. we must win to show something and to be something.

 

The BEST revenge: the NOOK still have a chance to get to the playoffs, nothing is sweeter than eliminating them to the fishing boat. We will also help the GSW to secure their playoff spot

 

Utah wont lose to the Mavs without all its starters. The HCA race will most likely go down to the wire. We must take this game!

 

This is a "character" game that will say alot about the team's playoff prospects. There is a great deal on the line for both teams. N.O. has pushed the Rockets around, and it is time for pay back. Send them home for the playoffs and put G.S. on the Mavs. I still maintain that the Warriers are going to give the Mavs trouble. How sweet that would be.

 

what?

 

a must win because jazz are going to beat dallas easily (they're benching starters). home court is NOT secure..

 

Beating us 3 times so far doesn't mean anything if they lose this. We crush the Hornets playoff hopes, ultimate revenge.