It's amazing how a couple wins can change the mode of the entire board. Obviously, Nash will be the key for the outcome of this game, I think Wesley will be able to bother him enough to give us a chance. Yao will have a lot of TOs due to Suns speed, and his coming back from Flu. The battle will be on the offensive side in the middle, and on the board. Neither Amare, nor Yao can guard each other, so whoever can stay on the court longer (no foul trouble) will have a large impact on the game. With the amout of shots the Suns put up, it's very important to keep them away from the offensive rebounding, particulatly Amare and Marion. If we can do that, the Suns will lose half of their fast break opportunity, become a very ordinary team. We can beat the Bucks, or the Cavs without Yao, but not the Suns since we cannot beat them with our quickness. We have to slow it down.
Tempo, is the key word. I personally think that is the game starts with the Rox's controlling the tempo then we have a great shot at winning the game.
we seem to play well against the Suns the past couple of seasons, although this current Suns team may be a bit more challenging. As long as we don't get caught up in a running game, we should be alright. To me, this will be a true test for Sura and Wesley...Sura can be very good in attack mode, but can he do what a real PG is asked to do in big, playoff type games...that is control tempo and run an effective, disciplined offense against a team that will seek to get us into a chaotic, run and gun matchup? If not, I wouldn't be so quick to lay so much props on Sura. It's clear what we need to do...the Suns best players thrive in open court and are not nearly as effective in the half court set (Nash, Stoud, Marion), while the ROX best players demand double teams and play very well under such circumstances. This game will be all about Sura controlling tempo, as well as proving ground for Wesley...can he nail the jumpers he will get, orchestrate the halfcourt offense when he's at point and can he play tough defense on guys like Joe Johnson and Marion...big game, can't wait.
Maybe the Rockets should play a zone with Wesley, sura, Tmac, Padget and Yao. Keep Yao on the same side as Amare down on the low blocks and have the other 4 fanned around the arc. Anyway you look at it, we match up terribly with this team. We may not have a chance unless we play superb defense and control the glass.
As much as I want the win streak to continue I just dont see it happening. Hopefully the Suns-Wolves games is close so the Suns might be tired for our game against them. Rockets 96 Suns 106
We will win tonight's game because I will be attending....i am 5-1 (BObcats game). 110-106 Rockets Tmac and Yao both put up 30 with MVP D WES adding 20. (Stoudamire will get 30 with one awesome dunk on Yao) Ya heard it here first.
Man, I am watching the suns and timberwolves game now. Nash is just amazing at orchestrating the offense. Not only do suns get fast break points, they also have the second best 3 point shooing as a team in the league at 38%. Marion, Q, JJ, Jacobsen, Nash are all 3 point specialists, which makes it impossible to double down on Amare. And this year Amare has developed a pretty consistent outside jumper all the way to 15 foot, which makes him basically unguardable. Amare will get his points. The key for us is to let Amare play some D on Yao. Yao can score easily on Amare one-on-one. The suns play crappy D which we should full take advantage. If Yao can neutralize Amare in offensive production, and TMac has a great game, and we somehow slows Nash down, we can win. Or if we were the spurs, we can win this one easily.
Amare has 19 points in the 1st half against the Twolves. Who is defending this guy? How is he getting so many points? Yao needs to stay between him and the basket. Give him the jumper.
well I think thats the key to the game. just how good can wesley be on defense on Steve Nash. Nash is a fast-mover, constantly pushing the offense, and a streaky shooter- guarding him will be Wesleys toughest task yet. I think tomorrow night he(wesley) will prove just how valuable he is to our team. Rockets win 104 Suns 93
Candy bar was on him and got two quick fouls. Then they put Madsen on him. From what I have seen in this game, Amare has knocked down at least 4 12-15 footers. The guy is just making progress on a daily basis. And the Minny announcers again talked about how much better Amare is than Yao.
BTW, the Suns might be the only team in the league with 5 starters who are legitimate 20 point scorers. Q might be suspect, but he knocked down 9 3 pointers in one game the other day. Horrific is the only word I will use watching their offense, of course from the view of an opponent.
That's what the Twolves get for not putting their post defender on him. KG should defend him. It's ludicrous for NBA teams to put a bunch of stiffs to guard Amare letting him have free rein to just drive around a bunch of statues. This is an ESPN game tommorrow night. The premiere matchup will be Yao and Amare. I'd let Amare shoot as many jumpers as he wants. I would prevent Amare from dunking. How many high school kids will be watching this national game wishing upon a star that Amare dunks in Yao's face? Yao needs to step up and show he's deserved of the all-star pick.
Gee, when I thought that Amare was contained, Marion took over: deep 3s, dunks after steal, mid range jumpers. When you thought that he has cooled down, J. Johnson begins to fire on all cylinders. Meanwhile, Minny found itself down 15 at home after 3 quarters even when KG has a monster game so far.
