but ROX still need play the best, some good teams are coming, lakers, LACs, and of course, SUNS and twice JAZZs
Now there is a chance for home court. A lot of people were counting we were going to beat Utah twice, including the last game of the season in their home court to go ahead of them. That was not going to happen. If the Rockets were going to make it, it had to be this way, way before playoffs. It's close now, but not quite there yet.
As long as the Jazz continue their skid, we won't need to win both games against the Jazz. They are an inexperienced team that is unable to handle the playoff push. If they end up losing half of their games and the rockets win 2 games above .500, we will have home court advantage. The Jazz have lost 4 of the last 5 games. Their only win was a come from behind nailbiter against the Golden State Warriors in a 104-100 game. The Jazz have 4 more back-to-back games, including tonight's home game. The Rockets have two in the season.
they should be able to handle the clippers. the lakers as well despite kobe's recent scoring outburst. the jazz game is a must. but first need to get new orleans on sunday. and then the bucks the next night. the jazz should be up by a full game again after tonight. they are playing memphis in utah so unless the unthinkable happens they win that game. the jazz did lose to the grizz earlier this season on a last second shot by eddie jones. either way something interesting i saw during last night clippers broadcast the jazz are 27 (soon to be 28)-6 at the delta center. as of today they are 20 games above 500 meaning they have a sub. 500 road record. As good as that team is, it is exceptionally better playing at home than on the road. If the rockets can snag the home court I would guarantee a series victory but I would be extremely confident in one. the race to the end will be exciting
the clippers killed utah by 32 points!!!!! we are only .5 game back now! man im so pumped and my heart is pounding. lets beat the hornets tomorrow and hope the grizzlies beat the jazz!
Can Memphis beat the Jazz? I would love to find out. They only lost to the Lakers by 2 points... I'm going to watch that game and root on Memphis like never before.
Utah can't sink any lower than 4th seed. We would have to pass up San Antonio to move up. We're basically stuck in the 5th seed no matter what, but as a 5th seed, we'd have home court over Utah.
AK47 is taking 5 shots per game, almost a non-factor. Harpring is a catch-and-shoot guy off the bench who can't guard anyone. Boozer is a beast, but both Chuck and Shane, or even Bonzi (if somehow he gets into the rotation) are pretty good matchups and may be able to contain him. The real killer is the Deron-Rafer matchup (no need to explain). I am also a bit worried about Okur taking Yao out to the perimeter.
I'm pretty sure Yao will be guarding Boozer, and Chuck will guard Okur for the most part. It's still a tough matchup for Yao, because he doesn't contest midrange jumpers very well either.
I like Chuck on Boozer, Boozer is undersized, thought not as much as Hayes, but that makes it a semi even matchup.
If utAH losses this game, they are in complete free fall. You can't lose to the worst team in the NBA in late march
We need to play some zone against the Jazz and the Mavs if we make it to the 2nd round, particularly if Avery Johnson goes small and plays Dirk at 5. I am much happier leaving AK47 or Devin Harris for open threes all day, rather than Okur, Boozer, and Dirk taking uncontested jumpers over Yao.
I also like Shane on Boozer at 4 and Bonzi at 3 (if he send JVG some roses). The only problem with Shane on Boozer or Dirk at 4 is rebounding, and Bonzi takes care of that.
I don't know what we're going to do. The Rockets have rarely used zone this season, but maybe JVG will pull it out in the playoffs. He needs to make some sort of adjustment there. "We need to play harder and with more energy" isn't going to cut it.
they are showing on NBA TV the game 6 of the 1997 western conference finals between the utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets......
