The Rockets have finally broken through and are three games above.500. Great. Now comes the test. Can the Rockets avoid a letdown? Can they play up to a far inferior team? The GSW game will answer these questions. Predictions?? I expect the Rockets will indeed, have a letdown, and lose in the final seconds 110-107. I just don't think the Rockets are going to try very hard against this team. They will probably looking past this one and the Denver game and be thinking about the Spurs. Here comes a streak of L's. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
no way... let me tell you something..this is the start of something big..Dallas lost to indiana tonight...Utah is looking like it is going to lose to Miluakee at the time i write this...The spurs are going to lose to the suns tonight..thats how it looks..this is are chance to gain some ground..and we wont ruin it..at the end of this road trip we will be 14-9. im sick of dallas being thought of as better than us. they just plain arent. im sure the rockets will look within themselves realize that this is a good oppurtunity to move up in the standings. ------------------ "Man, it's cool. I'm going to be president. That's Wicked." -George W. Bush, SNL
Rockets 112 Warriors 99 Francis 27pts 8 assist Mobley 20pts 5boards Taylor 12pts 6boards Jamison 31pts 12boards HUGHES 50pts
ZRB - You are 100% right about this being a good test. The Rockets will need to be focused. By that I mean: *1) playing D - GS is 2nd in the conference in turnovers *2) rebounding - GS is #3 in team rebounding *3) not going into an extended offensive funk. The Warriors average victory is 102.5 to 95.2. Take out the 125-122 OT Lakers victory and it's 98.0 to 89.8. If the Rocks don't bring the "O", there goin' home with an "L"! IMHO, if the Rockets win this game it truly represents how much they have matured since last season. If they lose, it's a milestone of how far they need to go. ------------------ GATER
Rockets need to take everything they did in the Celtics game and not do it ------------------ "There are some frauds so well conducted that it would be stupidity not to be deceived by them." Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832)
I, for one, do not think of the Warriors as a "far inferior" team. There are no more "far inferior" teams in this conference. This is the same team that knocked off the Lakers and should have beaten Utah just a few games prior. It will be a tough game, and one that CANNOT be taken lightly. ------------------ Jazzkiller
Well, their Center is the steal of the draft....Marc Jackson has a big body, can score inside, from 15 feet out, from 3pt range.....He's got it all.....He's scored 47 points in his last two games......Do u guys think Cato can play 12 minutes? ------------------
I disagree. the GS game is not a test. Portland, Lakers, Utah, SA, and Sac are tests. This is just a game. No big whoop. GS is a mediocre team, but far from an inferior team. ------------------ snap crackle pop
The Test is . . . BEATING TEAMS WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BEAT [see Kings vs. Hawks] You have to beat those teams. If we do that we will make the play offs We need to do that and try to Split with the others That will Guarantee the Playoffs Rocket River ------------------
I agree because after this we play Denver, another team we should beat. Then we have a tough 2-3 week stretch where we play San Antonio twice, the Lakers, Seattle and I think Dallas. This could very well be a make or break part of the season for us. ------------------ Five to one baby, one in five...no one here gets, out alive.
Well, their Center is the steal of the draft.... Actually, Marc Jackson was drafted in 1997. ------------------
This isn't a test at all, unless you believe that the Rockets are going to consider Golden State an inferior team to them. And, well, Golden State is an inferior team. Look... <table><tr><td> </td><td>Points For</td><td>Points Against</td><td>FG Pct.</td><td>Opp. FG Pct.</td><td>FT Pct</td><td>TO</td><td>Opp. TO</td><td>Reb</td><td>Opp. Reb</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State</td><td>94.5</td><td>102</td><td>.420</td><td>.459</td><td>.683</td><td>17</td><td>16.6</td><td>44.9</td><td>45.8</td></tr><tr><td>Houston</td><td>94.1</td><td>92.6</td><td>. 448</td><td>.456</td><td>.778</td><td>15.7</td><td>15.3</td><td>39.1</td><td>40.1</td></tr></table> If you look at these stats, you will see that Houston has a positive point differential, shoots a higher field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and averages fewer turnovers. I know that people are making a big fuss about how good a rebounding team Golden State is, but part of the reason Golden State grabs so many offensive rebounds is that they shoot so poorly. When you have Larry Hughes shooting 4-24 as an offensive weapon, there is a problem. It has also been mentioned that Golden State forces a lot of turnovers, but there turnover differential is negligible since they turn the ball over so much. I just don't think this game is a true test of the Rockets. ------------------ Little O [This message has been edited by Little O (edited December 14, 2000).]
My predictions for tonight: ROCKETS - 116 OAKLAND - 113 (We always have trouble and close games with the OTHER city by the Bay.) I think Dream will have a big night (20pts, 10+rebs), along with the usual from Steve and Cat. But the big question is, CAN MO COME THROUGH ONCE AGAIN LIKE HE DID IN VANCOUVER? (Couldn't resist) I need him to hold Jamison to at least 40pts and 15rebs. (I'm in a fantasy league, you know.) (OK, I've bashed Mo at least 5 times today, and it's not even 1:30 yet. Save my soul, and sign me up for the Mo Taylor fan club.) ------------------ "ON-BEE-TAH-BULL!!", Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, alumnus, University of Houston
It's gonna be low scoring team, going up with the best offensive rebounding team and Jamison was coming real strong in the last couple of weeks. MO's gonna push himself to work hard in order for him to gain some respect as far his work ethics in the game is concern. Is it possible for Rudy to Put cato for at least 10 Min.? ROCKETS 86 WARRIORS 79 Anderson, Francis and Olaguwon will be the three keys in order to win!!!! ------------------ Rudy T. will find and fulfill Rockets destiny.
Add to that, Jackson is third string, behind Dampier and Foyle. But he may grab some minutes due to his current level of play in Foyle's and Dampier's absence and injury. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
It all starts with Steve. When I look at the Warriors I see nobody on their team that can come close to holding Steve. Bobby Sura? hell no, mookie? nope. I expect him to go off for a lot of points tonight. I think that Jamison will not have a big game tonight, he has to cool down. As for Larry Hughes, he is inconsistent and has troubles against good defensive 2 guards and Shandon is just that. No let down here Rocks will win but they need to get off to a fast start. ------------------ www.truebballfansite.homestead.com
Mookie used to be an incredible defender, second only to Payton at the PG spot. I'm not going to pretend to have seen a single GSW game this season, but he does still pick up 2 steals a game. ------------------ "Thirty-seven?" -Randall, Clerks www.clutchtown.com
Sorry guys, I JUST read that Jackson was drafted earlier, but still, He's playing better than Dampier AND Foyle, not to mention Porter is playing great D and pulling down boards....Mookie always plays well against Francis, admit it...I think Walt and Mo will be the difference..... ------------------
