ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 11/13/2003

This will be the game when we can really start talkin some smack if we win

 

The Rox could be in trouble here, but I am still not sold on the "Team" in Dallas. They probably have more talent, but I am not sure how well they have gelled into a team yet. For now, I am going to say Rox win 94-90, but after a few months look out because this Dallas team is going to be real good.

 

lol I've been waiting for that chance since forever. I'm waiting for the day that we all can talk smack and have something to back it up

 

I don't think we can beat Mavs although I wish I underestimated Rox. Yao Ming will have a pretty good game again Mavs, scoring more than 30 points.

 

I think the Rockets may be able to pull this game off. It's all about D and executing in the 1/2 court offense. IF we win, the Rockets should be one of the main stories in the NBA....forget about the West's Power 4...make room for the Rockets! Go Rockets!!!!

 

well, if nellie matches dirk up with yao, i fully expect both of them to have 30+ point outings...regardless of zone or man2man defenses.

the key to this game is one player: steve nash. it is imperative that steve stops nashes penetrations. that penetration forces yao/cato to protect the paint and creates opportunities for toine/dirk. this is true in the zone and in man2man.

my strategy for this game would be to alternate between man2man and a zone + chaser...specifically speaking, a 3-2 zone with yao/cato in the back, mobes & jj in the front. that chaser (steve, more than likely) would be assigned to hound nash from the time he hit the halfcourt line. force him either 1) give the ball up early; or 2) shoot the j. once nash gets into the painted area, you are doomed.

offensively, whether the mavs are zoning or not, it is IMPERATIVE that we pound the ball into the middle. the temptation will be to hurl up the long j's, since getting the ball to yao will not be "easy". but doing so is playing right into the mavs hands. long shots = long rebounds = fast tempo. that is not our game, at all.

fortunately, dirk is neither strong enough nor committed enough defensively to consistently fullfront or 3/4 front yao. look for weak attempts that can be beaten with precise high lobs. if we do not exploit this facet of the game we will get trounced. however, if we can successfully exploit this part of the game, nellie will have no choice but to go to bradley/najera/fortson at the 5 spot. that not only is still a good matchup for yao, but also would enable a quicker defender to cover dirk on the other end of the court while yao defends their slug(s).

that is the crux of this game.

my prediction: mavs 98, rockets 79.

why? we'll try, periodically, to get the ball inside, but the poor fundamental passing of our 2 lead guards will be exposed. given that, they will revert to shooting the long j's - since, after all, they've been going in lately, but will not be able to hit them consistently and will only be fueling fast breaks for dallas.

of course, after the game, their will be posters that say, "hey, sometimes the shots don't fall", but they will be missing the reason why the shots did not fall...because we did not explore the post enough. because we did not make yao ming a THREAT to score. because we did not go "inside/out".

that said, i hope the rockets prove me wrong. after all, i'm not ms. cleo. but i believe growth requires some pains along the way. painful reminders that we have to stay the course in order to reach the destination. this game may prove just that.

 

edit:

first paragraph. change "to" to "can".

 

Rockets win 95-93
Mavs on a back to back with a crap start = Rockets win

 

Jeez... hopefully mooch wont be playing in the fourht if the game is that close.

 

If we don't cough up the ball 20+ times we have a chance of winning...

Rockets 93 - Dallas 90

 

if we can get Yao involved early i think we have a good chance. regardless of whether or not he's fronted and regardless if he scores 20 or scores 0. the offense starts with him, we play inside out. that is our offense. not what was on display in the 1st half of the game vs. Miami. if our offense runs like that against dallas it'll be ugly. however our defense has kept us in every game this year, but this will be a major test. this is the first "big" game of the year for us.

Rockets 92
Mavs 86

 

lol, word.

 

Anyway, one word: lost.

The only difference is a good game or bad game for Rox. If they can show their defense, then it's a good game, otherwise a bad game.

 

I agree with verse...steve "needs a hair cut" nash is the key to the mavs offense. If Steve Francis can't keep up with nash, then maybe we should stick mobley on him? And the Rockets need to exploit the mavs' weak interior Defense with Yao on the post.

 

Rox lose 72-88.

I have a bad feeling that either Dirk or Walker is going to have a monster game. These two guys love to face the basket and play on the perimeter and Cato is just not quick enough to cover them.

Rox offense goes stagnant against Mavs zone, shoot below 40% from the field and below 20% from behind the arc, and have more TOs than assists. Ming has another so-so game and the board gets stormed by Yao only fans.

 

exactly. even if we go into a zone, whether steve or cat is in the game, i'd have you on him at all times.

 

I believe JVG got a plan for the Mavs.

Do you guys notice that we are becoming a much better team during the last 3 games? (Mostly defensively, last year it's Steve & Yao affecting the outcome of the game, now we have different guys that can step up and play, I love the way the team is going)

Although we still have many mistakes, I like the adjustments JVG make if we get a bad start and eventually come out on top. Last year, if we're down most likely we can't get a come back.

The key for Mavs' game is controlling the ball handler by playing some good defense, especially by SF & Mobley. Offensively, go to Yao early and often, good thing will happen.

IF we kick Mavericks' butt, I think we can go on top to #1 on powerranking. Go Rox!

 

I put the money where your mouth is.

 

Turnovers or not, Rockets defense isnt THAT good yet and offense cant score at the level of the Mav's. IF the Mav's have a poor offensive output AND the Rox play good D ALL game.....we MIGHT have a chance. But, since everyone else is posting wishful scores.....

Rox 98
Mavs 92

Gooooooo Rockets!!!

 

I can understand fearing Dirk...but Walker? Look at that dude's FG% or even his career FG%....the only reason he's been an "AllStar" all these years is cause he jacks up so many shots...