Amare has been STARTING at center most of the year... If so, the key would be going to Yao EXCLUSIVELY first to get Amare in foul trouble. Otherwise, Amare will get Yao in foul trouble
i think that 3 game winning streak against crappy teams is getting to u guys heads.......unfortunately i dont think we are ready for phoenix just yet......
Out of the last 3 games I would only consider Utah a crappy team. Clevelant is not crappy Milwaukee is semi-crappy Bring on the Suns
milwaukee is a very crappy team. a mildly crappy team in the eastern conference but very crappy in the NBA as a whole
Amare's not a true center - he's a FC. Becase Yao will be playing center, I believe Amare will try to use his range to get an advantage. To combat that, we are going to need our PF's to step up to work together with Yao to slience Amare. That's not going to be easy because Mo and Juwan are just mediocre PF's who will have their hands full enough with Richardson, Marion, and Johnson. Throw in a great point guard, and I see our team struggling greatly to defend against them. On the other hand, Phoenix's weakness is at SG and SF - which is where we have some decent shooters. If our shooters can establish a perimeter threat, it could pull their forwards out of the lane giving space to Yao. my strategy: early in the game, get the ball to our guards to establish an outside shot. When PHX starts to spread out more, do more shot faking and pass it to Yao. In their last 15 games, the Suns are 14-1. But I feel that they are overrated - only 4 of those 14 games were against teams with winning records, one of which was a loss. So, in the past 15 games, they've only beaten 3 winning teams. They're beatable. Interestingly enough, in Houston's past 15 games, we've only beaten 2 winning teams (one of which was the miracle against SA). We've shown that we're capable of losing to anyone, but also capable of beating some good teams. We also have been playing good ball recently, winning games convincingly - not just by luck. The Suns have a 2-game winning streak coming into to this game, while the Rox have a 3-game winning streak, and we're playing in Houston. Phx has a great offense - they lead the NBA in PPG (109.0), while Houston is 5th from last (90.2). But Houston has a great defense - 3rd best in the NBA in points allowed (89.5), while PHX is ranked 21 (out of 30) with 98.4. Normally, I'd say Phx would win this one, but... The deciding factor: Phx, is coming off a back-to-back against a tough team (T-Wolves) IN MINNESOTA. Fly to Minnesota... play KG and the T-wolves... then fly to Houston and play Yao/T-Mac the very next night and win? I don't think so. Phx 94 Houston 102 -- droxford
Audio Link ? I just switched to a new computer and I lost my list of working audio links so I'm not sure if this one works. If it does work can you please post and let me know. Thanks News Radio 620am KTAR *****Because of NBA restrictions you may need to log on at least 30 minutes before the game.***** Hope it helps.
Phoenix is overrated. They've had a relatively easy schedule and have capitalized on it so far. They are good, but not as good as most people think. We have a great chance of winning this one.
I know Yao will go off, cause Yao doesnt like Amare. I expect yao to get about 12 rebounds, and 30+ points
This is certainly a test of "manhood" for the team; I actually expect them to win, which is a good feeling. It should be a close, hard fought game though. I expect Wesley to bother Nash, and Ming to annoy Amare. In the meantime, I expect TMac to "go off" for big numbers. If they show the same hustle and rebounding-determination they have been lately, they will take the Suns. And the league will take notice. Important, maybe even critical game. The streak continues.
Its going to be a tie..Final Score --> 110 - 110 Rockets record will go to 16-15-1 I hope the Rockets win this one. I dont feel too confident about this game but I have a feeling they will pull it out and win. Last night when they were playing the Jazz I had a feeling that the Rockets would outscore them by 12 in the 3rd quarter and lead by 10 and thats pretty much what happened...Hope my predictions are correct. Rockets 106 Suns 99
I think the one thing that we finally have going for us is a more consistant bench. Before, we were worried anytime T-Mac and Yao were not both on the floor, but with the emergance of Mutumbo, Barry, Wesley, and (on occasion) Mo Tay; we've been able to make runs with or without them on the floor. Advantages: Tmac (Joe Johnson and Q Rich can't contain him... though Marion might have his moments against him.) Defense (Sadly, all the great offensive teams since JVG took the helm have been able to shatter out defense. Here's hoping for change.) Clutch (TMAC... That's all) On Par: Yao and Amare (I think they will cancle themselves out one way or another, maybe one get's a lot of offense, and the other is a force on the other end.) Nash vs. Sura, Wesley (Although I would normally give this to Nash, I just think that Sura's energy and Wesley's defense are going to limit Nash from doing as much.) Disadvantages: Marion vs. Our PF's (Once Howard gets in foul trouble it's going to hurt a lot.) Keys: Don't leave Q Rich Open on the 3point Line... very bad thing. Go Small? Maybe a Line up of: Yao Amare TMac Marion Barry Q Rich Sura Johnson Wesley Nash Bench Production (A Must if we want any chance to win)
I think the key to this game is going to be the play of the bench players. It has proven that the suns bench is weak. I think if our starters can hang with suns starters then we have a pretty good chance of winning this thing. Hopefully Mo and Barry can have a big game.
Hopefully TMac will be the difference this year. I don't think they got anyone who can guard him. Hopefully Yao comes to play.
i just realized that the rockets are actually in the 8 spot....a win against the suns to keep it going would be great
