ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 1/16/2007

I'd almost be willing to change the starting line-up for the game on Tuesday.

I think the Mavs start Terry and Harris in the backcourt with Howard, Dirk, and Dampier up front. I don't see how our usual starting 5 (sans-Yao) matches up with them: Rafer, T-Mac, Battier, Howard, Mutombo.

Would you start Rafer and Head in the backcourt and go with T-Mac (Howard), Battier (Nowitski), and Mutombo/Howard (Dampier)?

The thing is, our "best" match up for Dirk is probably Battier, and that's never worked out well for Shane (see Memphis v. Dallas last year). Howard on Dirk is just trouble waiting to happen.

All that being said, since I'm going to the game tomorrow, I hope that Rox pull it out somehow!

 

I got a good feeling about this one too. Lets make it 2-0 for when rowdies invade other stadiums.

 

Any news whether Bonzi can play tonight and that Snyder can actually contribute?

 

There will be a V-span sighting and George clooney gets thrown out of the game The rockets win by 15

 

Starting 5, we can compete with Dallas.
But, bench depth and coaching team may hurt us.

Mr. Novak, please work hard as Yao did, improve your defense, you will get minutes from JVG.

 

We'll have problems with dirk, like the problems with kg. But we have Shane, a difference maker.

 

I say if they start to get blown out, throw out the bench and leave this lineup out.

VSpan
Head
Bonzi Wheels
Novak
Chuck Hayes

Let us see how we can be with Bonzi as first option, and give the bench some quality time, like around 10 minutes.

SAVE OUR Energy so we dont get blown out by Phoenix At HOME.

 

Yes, I'd like to see this. And maybe flip flop McGrady and Battier against Dirk and Howard a little bit. I still think McGrady can be very effective against Dirk, if maybe only for spot minutes, and Battier is going to be effective no matter who you put him against.

I'm leery of having Juwan defend Dirk and also with Juwan in there it switches either McGrady or Battier onto Devin Harris or Terry, which is bad defensively for us. Those guys are just too small and too quick. Rafer is already a mismatch in their favor in the backcourt. However, the problem is that Luther has not been that steller defensively lately. It sure would be nice if Snyder could give us some solid minutes if for nothing else but defense.

But, it all starts with defending Dirk. To me, the best defensive matchups we have against Dirk are Battier and McGrady, followed by Hayes. I think Juwan is one of the worst defensive matchups against Dirk. Once you establish Battier or McGrady on Dirk, then obviously the other one is going to take Howard, so the next biggest problem is matching up the backcourt. We are obviously going to play Rafer 30 mpg, so really it comes down to who can be most effective as the other backcourt partner to Rafer. At least Luther gives us the 3 bomb out there and forces Dallas to have to spread it out.

If I were the coach I would be tempted to start off with these 5, and then bring Juwan off the bench to spell Deke at the 5 when they bring in Diop. I think Juwan is crafty enough to handle Diop even though Diop has him outsized. Then it would be nice if we could use Snyder to spell McGrady for a few minutes and Hayes to spell Battier for a few minutes with JLIII giving Rafer a break.

 

Mavs suck...Ok, that never gets old...

I can't wait...tough to do a viewing party during the week...I"ll be at some sports bar if I can't get nose bleeds...

Rox: 105

Mavs: 104

 

I hope T-Mac knows the recognition he's getting around the league for leading this team to 9 wins since Yao went out.

If he brings the Rockets a road win against the Mavs, no doubt he will rise tremendously in everyone's eyes as a true MVP candidate and be back to his elite player status.

Let's hope he brings his A-game and isn't bothered by the back. We haven't finished repaying Dallas for 2005 yet.

 

Mavs doesn't scare me at all. We should match up them pretty well and it is going to be a close game.

 

you mean 3-0. they went to miami earlier in the season when we stomped the heat.

 

I want the Rockets to win, but if I can't have that, at least I hope the game will be FAIRLY officiated. No BS calls and no flops please

 

Even though they have the best record in the league, I like our chances more against the Mavs on the road than I do against the Suns, anywhere. I think we will win one of these two games, though, so I'll say Rockets win this one. I'd love to see us bring it like we did in the first game. Go Rox!

 

THIRD PAGE!

seriously, i don't understand what the big deal is about posting in a thread before everyone else...lmao

We lose. Not much else to it. We played awful the past couple games and barely won. Logic says we don't play any better tomorrow night. Difference is our opponent is on fire. If we come out and T-Mac is shooting well...THEN we're talkin' about making it a GAME.

I wish Dirk Nowitzki would self-implode.

God I hate that team.

95-85 Mavpricks.

 

I think its ok if roxs were to go 1-1 the next two games I think they have better chance of beating the Suns ... I hope they win vs Mavs I just dont see it.. The mavs are out for revenge for the beating we put on them early in the season.. GO ROX ... 110 mavs 103 Roxs

 

low scoring game. 87 to 84. ROCKETS WIN!!

 

Three Mavs can win the game for them- Dirk-Howard and Terry, we need to stop two of them to win, which two will not matter as their reduced performance will only be ballanced by the third player. What this means is that the Mavs are held to an average game which could give us a chance to have a good one!

 

This is going to be a tough one!
Dirk is the MVP, no doubt about that. I dont see anyone of our players be able to stop him. Still we can take this away by defending well against Jet and Howard. Moreover T-Mac has to score at least 35, not talking about Rafer hitting shots and Deke getting 20 rebs and some elbows against Erika.
Realistic scenario: Mavs by 10
My scenario: Rox by 5

 

Absolute "lock down" defense and shooting over 50%, only hope of a win. If Rafer becomes "O-fer" again and TMac takes 30 shots at 30%, forget about it. Hands down, Mavs are "at the moment" the best team in the NBA. To beat them, the Rockets have to play a "championship" level game with few if any mistakes. Keep it real.

Right now the Rockets are a gutsy, in your face, grind it out kind of team. The Mavs overall talent level is far superior. They can wear Mutombo down pretty easily with all their "bigs," and Terry can have Rafer for lunch. Hayes will look like a midget and Battier will struggle stopping Dirk (everybody does). Howard is another match up nightmare. TMac better bring his "A" game. We could use Bonzi's big butt in this one.