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

mavs start off hot,open 20 point lead, then Rockets grit come back and make it respectable but still lose in the end 108-99

 

Hi everyone!
If you are going to the game at AAC tonight, DONOT BRING ANY VIDEO CAMERAS. If you do you will have to return to your vehicle or take it to a room where it will be kept for you until after the game. I did not trust anyone to keep my video equipment and they make you waive your rights if the equipment is lost. Even if you have a digital camera with video capabilities they will not allow it in the AAC and they do know what to look for. Still cameras only are allowed.
Now do what you want, you have been warned.

I go quite often and people with cameras slow down the lines as eveyone must go through metal detectors

Good Luck
HLV
t2k

 

My prediction....

The Rockets bring the (team) DEFENSE and make the Mavs struggle.

Why? Because we HAVE TOO! We can't play them tit-for-tat on the offensive end.

We HAVE to play DEFENSE!!!! In the end? A 92 - 88 Rox win.

We can't let the Mavs score 100+.

 

ROX WIN 100:99
YAO SCORE MORE THAN 30

 

Please share with us, thanks!

 

Here is a rundown of the game from the enemy's point of view

Dallas Morning News:

Mavericks-Houston Rockets preview
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, American Airlines Center
TV/RADIO: TNT; ESPN-FM 103.3, KESS-AM 1270, Spanish
SERIES: Rockets lead, 69-47

KEY MATCHUP

Nellie's offense vs. Van Gundy's defense

The Mavericks led the NBA in scoring last season and added Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison. They are 3-0 when they've shot at least 50 percent. But new coach Jeff Van Gundy has brought Eastern Conference defense to Houston with dramatic results. The Rockets lead the NBA in fewest points allowed (76.8) and field-goal percentage defense (.355). Center Yao Ming blocked seven shots in a win over Miami. Whichever team controls the early tempo will have a significant advantage.

INSIDE THE ROCKETS

Mighty Mobley: No Houston player has been hotter the past three games than guard Cuttino Mobley. He is averaging 23.7 ppg in that span, including 30 in Tuesday's win over Miami. He's made 28-of-44 shots in those three games, including 9-of-13 from 3-point range.

Hear no evil: Bill Van Gundy, a coach himself, didn't need anyone telling him how sons Jeff and Stan were doing in their head-to-head match-up Tuesday. The Houston Chronicle reported that he watched Houston's 90-70 win over Miami with the sound off.

INSIDE THE MAVERICKS

Back in the lineup: Center Danny Fortson made his second start of the season and first since opening night, posting season-highs in points (nine) and rebounds (11). His 23 minutes equaled his combined playing time in three previous games.

Home cooking: After Tuesday's 125-97 win over New Orleans, the Mavericks are averaging 118.3 points a game at American Airlines Center, where they are 3-0 this season. Conversely, they've managed 86.0 points a game and a 2-3 record on the road.

Briefly ...

While 6-8 Danny Fortson is coming off his best game as a Maverick, coach Don Nelson said he will also use 7-6 Shawn Bradley against Houston's similarly sized Yao Ming. ... Antawn Jamison said he was sore and in need of a massage Wednesday after an awkward tumble over New Orleans' Robert Traylor. "I didn't want to come in and use it as an excuse not to practice," said Jamison, who expects to play Thursday.

Fort Worth Star Telegram:

MAVERICKS NOTES
Fortson showing promise
By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Danny Fortson knew he could do it. Mavericks coach Don Nelson hoped he could. Can he do it just about every night?

That's the question.

"This is the first time I've gotten significant minutes since I've gotten to Dallas," Fortson said of his Tuesday showing against New Orleans. "I know how to play the game."

Fortson's game in the Mavs' 125-97 runaway had "breakout" written all over it. In his second start of the season, Fortson threw his bulk around and corralled 11 rebounds. He also scored nine points and committed only three fouls in 23 minutes. Fortson didn't even play in the fourth quarter.

"That was my vision, where he could participate, be a solid member of the team [and] get some minutes," Nelson said Wednesday after practice. "And I thought on rare occasions he would have really good games and be a dominant rebounding kind of player. That was his best game for us, and I hope to get a lot more."

In the Mavs' first seven games, Fortson's high for minutes was 14. He sat out two games by coach's decision and his best rebounding total was five. If Fortson is going to stay on the floor, he'll need more games such as the one against the Hornets.

"Danny is the one guy on our team who's primarily a rebounder," Steve Nash said. "The one guy we've never had here."

Nelson was noncommittal on whether the 6-foot-8 Fortson would be in the starting lineup opposite 7-6 Yao Ming for tonight's 6:30 p.m. tipoff against Houston. Fortson struggled in his only other matchup with an elite center this season, grabbing only three rebounds in 14 minutes against Shaquille O'Neal in the opener.

"I'm not sure how [Fortson is] going to play the really big centers," Nelson said. "I know he's not afraid of them. He's going to play hard."

The key, Fortson said, is to stay out of foul trouble and establish his physical presence early. Though he's never played against Yao, Fortson was asked his thoughts on the second-year center.

"I've seen him," he said. "Humongous."

Briefly

• Approximately 500 tickets remain for tonight's game against the Rockets, which begins at 6:30 p.m. to accommodate TNT's national broadcast.

• Antawn Jamison awoke Wednesday with some soreness on his right side from the awkward fall he took over Robert Traylor on Tuesday. Jamison wasn't, however, sore enough to skip practice. He was looking forward to a "nice massage" after practice and will play tonight.

GAMEDAY

Rockets at Mavericks
• 6:30 tonight, American Airlines Center, Dallas
• TV: TNT
• Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM; KESS/1270 AM (Spanish)
• Tickets: (214) 747-6287; dallasmavericks.com; Ticketmaster outlets
• Records: Mavs 5-3, Rockets 5-1

UPDATE

• The game: The Mavericks attempt to run their winning streak to three games against Jeff Van Gundy's surprising Rockets, who lead the Midwest Division.

• Three things to watch:

1. The Mavs will attempt to slow Yao Ming by pushing the 7-foot-6 center away from the basket. A contribution is needed from 7-6 Shawn Bradley.

2. Much as they did against New Orleans, the Mavs need to move the ball and hit their open shots. The Rockets lead the league in fewest points allowed (76.8) and field goal percentage defense (35.5 percent).

3. The Hornets' Baron Davis was tough, but Houston's Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley figure to be more of a challenge for the Mavs' backcourt of Steve Nash and Michael Finley.

• Notable: The Mavericks have won eight of the past 10 matchups with the Rockets. Dallas recorded its first series sweep against Houston last season, winning by an average of 18.0 points in four games.

 

Rox 98
Mavs 89

Mavs score more on the Rox than any one else has. The Rox will be down in the 4th but pull away with 5 minutes to go. Yao destroys Bradley, again for 30-12-3 blks and 5 asst.

 

Mavs 99
Rockets 94

 

We win if Yao comes with his Asian Championships game and intensity. Simple. Otherwise we struggle.

 

The Rockets will be tired of being a b**** to dallas.

They will step up and play tough D to win by 15.

 

Good Luck Post!

Rockets Win !

105 to 100

Cat goes off for 40 pts.
Steve first 10 assist game.
Yoa 20/ 12

 

trust me or not. I thought Mav is a crappy team all the time. It is snow ball in hell for them to be the championship.
As long as Rox hold the game in their own pace. play good D against these stupid fastbreak attack. I am pretty sure Rox will win.


case 1:
Rox 101 Mav 84

case 2:
Rox 84 Mav 101.


^_^

 

Whatever the outcome, I hope we don't get in a shooting match with the Mavs.

 

I know we haven't played well against them, but I feel we're a better Defensive team this year and will move the ball around more...Dallas isn't the same team as last year and I know the Rox will win...

Rox 110

Mavs 102

 

The Mavs 2 forwards (Dirk & Antoine) has to be contain and give no easy shots as we know that they love to shoot behind the arc and instead of taking 10 or 15 footer shots. Mavs will have a hard time adjusting to the Rocks game now, compare from last years defense.

Rocks 92
Mavs 87

 

SHOWDOWN IN DALLAS


This is the day
It's the NBA
The Mavs must pay for having their way
With the Rox last year
So let's get it in gear
The time is near

Mobley's hot
If he's open for three, he should take the shot
He has been good
But it's understood
That Van Gundy's plan is to make Yao the man
They should get him involved as much as they can

Stevie has skills, there is no doubt
If he's on top of his game,
It will be lights out
He has a great handle
He can shoot the rock, too
But he must keep in mind that he's option two

This looks like a job for Yao
So everybody just follow now
He'll take command, they'll have to foul
The key is to stop him and they don't know how
Shawn Bradley?
Please
He's the anti-Yao

Fortson's too small, so give Yao the ball
And watch him maul the Mavericks all
He'll clean the glass
And kick some a**
And all the while,
He'll personify class

Tonight's the night
The lights are bright
It's live TV
It's TNT
All that's missing is Di*kie V.

The Rox are on stage for all to see
Let's get a win for Rudy T.

- KateBeckinsaleAdmirer

 

Well I guess this seals the Rox victory tonight -

NBA Today
Thu Nov 13, 6:04 AM ET

By The Associated Press

Houston at Dallas (7:30 p.m. EST). Michael Finley and the Mavericks face the Rockets, who are tied with Seattle for the NBA's best record at 8-1.

 

I really don't know what to expect. I have a very bad feeling about this game. I do know one thing......if Jim Jackson shoots 1 for 8 or 2 for 11(as he has the last two games) we will lose. We don't have the luxury of an inferior opponent. If we don't run on all cylinders, I expect to be blown out. Sorry for being so negative.
Oh....and this was not supposed to be a blast on JJ. He played great the two games prior to the last two.

 

good one Kate!

 

Excellent post, Verse. I'm not an X's and O's man, but I'll know what to look for in this game based on your insight.

IMO, win or lose, this game will be hard fought. I just hope we keep our mouths shut post-game, win or lose. I don't want to give them poster board material. My general rule is let the sleeping giant sleep...(well in this story the giant has no interior defense and is as soft as a marshmallow, but make no mistake, the Mavs are a giant).