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

tmac's shot didnt look that much different, actually. well, to me, anyway.

 

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Mavs to face rising Rockets

Two teams have ruled Texas, but Houston is poised to contend

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

The best team in Texas – and the best in the NBA – is easy to identify right now.

The Mavericks have had the best record and have dominated the league for more than two months.

For that, they get nothing. Any prize comes later.

But pegging the second-best team in Texas isn't as easy as you might think. The Houston Rockets, who visit tonight, are making a strong case that their promising pairing of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming is finally paying off – even if they aren't together right now.

Yao is out until mid-March with a fractured bone just below his right knee. Since he left, the Rockets are 9-2, including nine wins in the last 10. Before that, they won at San Antonio.

OK, that made them 1-18 against the Spurs in San Antonio since Tim Duncan arrived, but it was still a victory that gave the Rockets the confidence boost that they at least belong in the conversation when it comes to top teams in the West.

"I don't know why everybody's so surprised at what they're doing," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "Everybody seems to act like all of the sudden they got good. That's the hilarious thing to me. McGrady didn't just start passing the ball this year."

McGrady has been doing things at both ends of the court, averaging 28 points, 6.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in the last 10 games. And he's had help.

Johnson credited the Rockets' supporting cast of Shane Battier, Luther Head, Rafer Alston and Juwan Howard.

Not to mention ancient center Dikembe Mutombo, who is still blocking shots, wagging his finger and doing a solid job.

"He's really representing us 40-year-olds well," Johnson said.

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Mavs vs. Rockets preview
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Ch. 21; ESPN-FM 103.3, KFLC-AM 1270 (in Spanish)

08:27 PM CST on Monday, January 15, 2007

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Who's hot

The Mavericks: But not just because they've won 31 of 35. They are more steamed about the fact that the Rockets slammed them in the second game of the season by 31 points in Houston. "They pummeled us from start to finish," Avery Johnson said. Jason Terry added, "We want to get one back on them." ... Speaking of Terry, he's hit 14 of his last 24 3-point tries (58.3 percent). ... Former Maverick Juwan Howard has hit 53 percent of his shots in the last five games and is averaging 17.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. ... Dikembe Mutombo might be 40 years old, but he's not playing like it. He's averaging 15.2 rebounds and 34 minutes per game during the last five games.
Who's not?

Tracy McGrady: OK, he's really not cold. In seven of the last nine games, he's had 30 points or more. And in the two he didn't, he had double-figure assists. However, in the last five games, he's shot 38.5 percent from the field. Other than that, he's pretty much been fantastic. "He's going to be out there playing at a high level," Jason Terry said. "We have to match it. I think we have the defenders that can make it tough on him, but it's a team effort." ... Josh Howard, bugged by a sore elbow and wrist, has hit a rough patch, hitting just 38.4 percent of his shots in the last five games.
Injuries

Mavericks: None.

Rockets: Yao Ming (right leg) and Bob Sura (back) are out; Bonzi Wells (back) is doubtful.

 

I will try to do audio pbp tonight since the game isn't on national TV. Of course it would be nice if Dr. of Dunk was willing to volunteer his shoutcast server

 

We are well rested, Bonzi got into mixed, Head & Alston practicing behind the arc, Battier practicing his footings on the defensive side, Tmac analizing their game and Mutombo sharpening his elbow.....Priceless!

Stunning WIN!
GO ROCKETS!

 

Rockets Win!!! Rockets 100 Mavs 94...

 

One game don't make a season. Don't be so worry. What matters is when we face them in the playoff at full strength.

I just don't think we have enough to steal one in Dallas.

 

^Agreed, except for your last commment...I think Dallas will have payback on there minds...However, if we do win, that's a statement...

 

I'd like to see the Rockets start off with Battier guarding Josh Howard and McGrady guarding Nowitski (assuming Head and Alston start in the backcourt as I suggested previously). The Mavs play exceedingly well when Josh Howard gets off to good starts. They're pretty much undefeated when Howard scores 20+ points. It's imperative that our best defensive player is on him at the start of the game to limit his effectiveness.

 

All we gotta do is the same things we been doing. Contest shots, box out, and rebound. Nobody does it better than us.

 

Agreed. I just don't see how we can pull this one off.

That said, go Rockets! Prove me wrong .

 

I'm girding myself for a blow-out. And not the good kind. The Mavs will be playing for revenge. Hoping the Rox can prove me wrong.

 

This is what happens to rafer:

http://www.nba.com/media/HOUDAL_20070116.jpg

 

Does anyone know what channel this game is on locally for Dallas? I'm in Waco...so, in the Dallas media market, but it doesn't say the game is on FSNSW tonight. Is there another local channel that covers them?

 

If you do this...I will mute the annoying Mavs announcers on TV and listen to you...

Go NewYorker! Go Rockets!

 

They're going to let the Mavs play the whole game from out of bounds. Dirk is going to be carried off in a stretcher trying to sell a charge to the refs.

 

It is a possible to win the game. Rox is hot, so is TMac. Wells is going to fight with Howard, both got rejected.

 

Plagiarism heh

 

i want to watch this game, man. being in the austin area, the roads are pretty bad and i doubt the sports bars will be open. can you purchase a single game through league pass or time warner cable. sort of like a pay-per-view type thing? like renting a movie off their i-control deal? that would be clutch.

 

The game is not on FSN so you have to have league pass. Go by Buffalo Wild Wings (Valley Mills and Franklin). They will be showing the game and its 35 cent wings today.

 

The Rockets will go as far as Tmac will take them...if he's hitting his shots the Rockets will win this game...maybe.