ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Mavericks 4/23/2005 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

This will be a hard fight game with lots of ups and downs. Both teams will come out to take many quick shots, and miss most of them due to nervous. At the end, the Rockets's transtion D will limit the Mavs to <95pts, with us scoring 90+. So, here is your officail score,

Rox: 93
Mavs: 89

 

And I never said they wouldn't.

 

it will be interesting to see how both teams get out in the first game of the series, usually the most important game. there is some stat where the team that wins the first game goes on the win the series the majority of the time. that being said i think van gundy will have the team well prepared for the mavericks. i dont think anyone, maybe yao,but he dealt with la last year, will be flustered by the playoff atmosphere on the road. i am going to say that rockets will sneak one out by a slim margin here

rockets 97 mavericks 94

 

Rox in 5

4 - 1

ALL because The Horoscope says:

Mavs can only win ONE game in playoffs.

 

Rox win game 1 behind a HUGE game from Yao, who strives for dominance rather than simply excellent play.

Rox 118
Mavs 105

 

UNO!

 

The more I think about the matchups, the more I like our chances. Finley and Stack are not the players they used to be, and Tmac and Wesley will do a nice job on them. Tmac has proven in the past that he can easily shut down the not-so-mobile shooting guards (Glenn Robinson, anyone?) Sura can do well enough guarding Terry, as long as he stays at home a little bit. Padgett is basically an underpaid KVH.

The only real advantage the Mavs have is Dirk, and when it comes down to it, he's a big man shooting jumpers all night. He's not the kind of player that can easily be doubled, but he's not going to be making short shots and layups all night. JVG is the kind of coach who can shut this team down enough to give us a chance.

As far as the Mavs defensively, we've beaten better defensive teams this season.

I'm liking our chances, and wouldn't be surprised if we win the first two in Dallas.

 

I agree I think Jvg should pull out something out of his hat like moving Yao over to Dirk (dont know if he could stay with Dirk but oh well) that moves Wetherspoon over to Dampier interesting but i really want Jvg to pull out some type of "Old Seatle Defense" circa the Dream years and just shut down Dirk like Dream got shut down on us it would only be fitting right? What does anyone else think of a defense that would be different that you think can shut down Dirk?

 

It's 50-50 for this series. I think Rockets will win. And there is even a slim chance to sweep the Dallas if Rockets are lucky.

BTW, is camera allowed in the game?

 

The Rockets win! I'm never right with a score, but I'll give one anyway...

Rocks 107
Mavz 103

 

I don't think the Mavs can recover from a first game Rockets victory. They will be severely shaken, panic, and become desperate in game two, which they will then lose. The Rockets come home to close out the series. The first game will determine who wins the series.

 

The firstt game will set the mental tone for the series. What will be interesting to watch in the first game is, how the Mavericks react to the swarming defense Rockets wil throw at them. Expect the Mavs to face the typical JVG designed in-your-face-every-second-of-48 minute-playoff defense. I dont think the Mavs have the kind of personel to handle that kind of pressure for full 48 minutes. You need a consistent scoing threat in the paint/low post game to succeed against that kind of defense and Mavs do not have that. Lakers faced this kind of defense last year and despite of Shaq/Kobe/Malone advantage, 4 of the 5 games were damn close. This Rockets team is much better than last year's team, and Lakers had Shaq for an inisde presence while themavs dont.

If the Mavs can show in the opening game that they can handle tough JVG designed defense, then they will win the series. If the Rockets lose the first game but pose serious problems for the Mavs with their defense, and keep it close, then I think, psychological advantage in the series and the victory goes to the Rockets. If the Rockets win the opener with a dominating display of defense, they will be pretty much unbeatable.

 

I totally agree that Rockets need to win Game 1. We need to start off good. We need to at least keep games close..don't let them get a big lead in the beginning or at any time of the game..play defense..focus..make shots..run our offense..just play..we need confidence. Then we'll be great. First game we'll hae to play really good. We have tons of Xfactors..including Yao and Tmac..Dikembe, James, Sura, Padgett, Weatherspoon, Bowen..and the rest of our guys! lol..I say this a lot but I really think Tmac can and hopefully will take over. GO ROCKETS

 

Rockets take game 1 by 8.

Mavs bounce back to take the 2nd by 12, but we'll still have home court.

 

Win by 2

Rockets : Dallas 89-87

 

We play our system, let them invent. I bet this will be the tone for the whole series. I like Gundy's chances against AVJ.

 

4/23/2004
what year is it???????

 

I had a weird dream a few days ago.

We lost. 104-100. Close game.

 

it's gonna be a fun series......i just hope all the suits that have the best seats in the house get off of their asses and make some noise. and i hope some fat guy behind me tells me to sit down so i can go off on him.

 

I agree this will the ONE game, if we win, we will feel much better and have a great chance to get 3-1 lead.

But to be honest, I feel MAVS is better team