Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
6/18/09 Pistons @ Rockets End of 3rd
Pistons 65-64
There is no reason why the Rockets should lose this game. For some reason they can't fight off the Pistons and make a big run. It seems like Houston can't get a lead bigger than five or six.
It just seems like the Rockets are just fighting off Detroit when the Pistons make a run.
Rockets need to rebound and put together a run.
There is no reason why the Rockets should lose this game. For some reason they can't fight off the Pistons and make a big run. It seems like Houston can't get a lead bigger than five or six.
It just seems like the Rockets are just fighting off Detroit when the Pistons make a run.
Rockets need to rebound and put together a run.
6/18/09 Pistons @ Rockets Halftime
Rockets 42-38.
Offensive rebounds have come back to almost even for both teams (Pistons 11, Rockets 9).
Rockets are shooting 50 percent from the field and the Pistons still shooting poor at 31 percent, but Detroit has 10 more freethrow attempts than Houston -- made eight more.
Rockets need to continue playing well on defense and get to the foul line.
Offensive rebounds have come back to almost even for both teams (Pistons 11, Rockets 9).
Rockets are shooting 50 percent from the field and the Pistons still shooting poor at 31 percent, but Detroit has 10 more freethrow attempts than Houston -- made eight more.
Rockets need to continue playing well on defense and get to the foul line.
6/18/09 Pistons @ Rockets End of 1st
Rockets 20-18.
Rockets shot 50 percent from the field and the Pistons shot 26 percent, but Rockets only up two points.
The difference in the first was offensive rebounds and turnovers.
Pistons have five more offensive rebounds than the Rockets and Detroit has not turned the ball over. Rockets had three turnovers.
Rockets shot 50 percent from the field and the Pistons shot 26 percent, but Rockets only up two points.
The difference in the first was offensive rebounds and turnovers.
Pistons have five more offensive rebounds than the Rockets and Detroit has not turned the ball over. Rockets had three turnovers.
3/18/09 Pistons @ Rockets Pre-Game
Day after Saint Patricks Day and ESPN national television game were some headlines you probably thought of last week, but the biggest story coming into Toyota Center is the news that broke Tuesday when Houston found out that forward Carl Landry was shot a few hours after he landed from New Orleans.
Landry was on route home when was struck and driven into a light pole by another vehicle. Two shots were fired and one caught the second-year forward in the leg.
Landry said he was lucky to be alive and the Rockets are lucky he's only out for a week to three weeks.
That may seem like an eternity since the Rockets (44-25) are in a tight Western Conference playoff chase, only two games separate themselves (2nd seed) and Dallas (8th seed).
The Detroit Pistons have been playing better since guard Allen Iverson went down with a back injury, but have not been playing well this season according to Pistons standards.
The .500 Pistons (33-33) are coming off a 103-101 loss to the Mavericks Tuesday and may not have top scorer guard Richard Hamilton for Wednesday's match-up due to a groin injury.
The Rockets did not have center Yao Ming for its 95-84 win against New Orleans Monday night, but expected to see its leading scorer back in the lineup against the Pistons.
Houston has dropped its last two home games against the Lakers and Spurs after a 12-game home winning streak.
We should see the Rockets that finished the game against New Orleans come out and expect to see more of Dikembe Mutombo since Landry will be sidelined for a few weeks.
The Rockets should win this game since Detroit is coming off a tough game against the Mavericks Tuesday night and the Rockets have played well at home since the All-Star break.
Landry was on route home when was struck and driven into a light pole by another vehicle. Two shots were fired and one caught the second-year forward in the leg.
Landry said he was lucky to be alive and the Rockets are lucky he's only out for a week to three weeks.
That may seem like an eternity since the Rockets (44-25) are in a tight Western Conference playoff chase, only two games separate themselves (2nd seed) and Dallas (8th seed).
The Detroit Pistons have been playing better since guard Allen Iverson went down with a back injury, but have not been playing well this season according to Pistons standards.
The .500 Pistons (33-33) are coming off a 103-101 loss to the Mavericks Tuesday and may not have top scorer guard Richard Hamilton for Wednesday's match-up due to a groin injury.
The Rockets did not have center Yao Ming for its 95-84 win against New Orleans Monday night, but expected to see its leading scorer back in the lineup against the Pistons.
Houston has dropped its last two home games against the Lakers and Spurs after a 12-game home winning streak.
We should see the Rockets that finished the game against New Orleans come out and expect to see more of Dikembe Mutombo since Landry will be sidelined for a few weeks.
The Rockets should win this game since Detroit is coming off a tough game against the Mavericks Tuesday night and the Rockets have played well at home since the All-Star break.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
3/11/09 Lakers @ Rockets End of 3rd
Lakers came out with much more energy and Kobe started to look for his shots. That and a lot of turnovers and bad shots lead to the Lakers taking the lead late in the third quarter.
The Rockets fought off the run and lead 70-67.
The Rockets fought off the run and lead 70-67.
3/11/09 Lakers @ Rockets Halftime
Great second quarter by the Rockets. 51-40 Houston.
Rockets need to play another half of good defense and keep attacking and rebounding.
Rockets need to play another half of good defense and keep attacking and rebounding.
3/11/09 Lakers @ Rockets
Rockets 24, Lakers 24 after the first quarter.
The Lakers started the game on fire, especially Derek Fisher.
The Rockets fought back and took the lead.
If the Rockets can limit bad turnovers and capitalize on open threes, they should be fine.
The Lakers started the game on fire, especially Derek Fisher.
The Rockets fought back and took the lead.
If the Rockets can limit bad turnovers and capitalize on open threes, they should be fine.
3/11/09 Lakers @ Rockets Pre-Game
The Houston Rockets have its big challenge coming into Toyota Center Wednesday night.
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are in town to snap a Rockets 12-game home winning streak.
Houston (42-23) are the second hottest team in the league behind Utah and have played great at home for more than a month and the Lakers look to end that tonight, coming in tied with the best record in the NBA (50-13, with Cleveland).
The Rockets have shot well, played great defense and finally found an identity, which it has been looking for this season.
Everyone wants to keep pointing at Tracy McGrady's season-ending micro-fracture surgery as the turning point, and as well as they should, but when Ron Artest got healthy is when the season turned around.
Sure not having a set lineup before tipoff may have caused confusion among the players, but more so a non-gimp Artest sure does help limiting other teams best player and establish physical play.
Luis Scola has also been huge for the Rockets. You can pencil him in for a double-double almost every night. It's all the more impressive that Scola gets those double-doubles without having plays run through him.
Scola is the scrappy player teams need to win.
The most impressive part about Scola's game is the improvement he's made over the offseason. His defense is vastly better, his jumpers have been more consistent and he doesn't give up on a play until it's dead.
The Lakers will be without forward Lamar Odom for tonights game because he left the bench in Los Angeles' last game Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Blazer forward Rudy Fernandez had a clear break towards the basket when Trevor Ariza came from behind and hit Fernandez in the head and Fernandez's body contorted and flailed to the ground.
The Rockets cannot let Bryant beat them. Make Gasol put up 25 points or Derek Fisher or Jordan Farmer. Bryant cannot get off to a good start, or Houston's in for a long night.
Also the Rockets need to establish Yao Ming from the get go and don't stop attacking Gasol and the rest of the Laker front court. Get the Lakers in foul trouble and get to the line.
The Rockets should come out with another win, but it's going to be tough. Houston really needs to learn to hold on to leads in the fourth quarter if they want to be considered elite.
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are in town to snap a Rockets 12-game home winning streak.
Houston (42-23) are the second hottest team in the league behind Utah and have played great at home for more than a month and the Lakers look to end that tonight, coming in tied with the best record in the NBA (50-13, with Cleveland).
The Rockets have shot well, played great defense and finally found an identity, which it has been looking for this season.
Everyone wants to keep pointing at Tracy McGrady's season-ending micro-fracture surgery as the turning point, and as well as they should, but when Ron Artest got healthy is when the season turned around.
Sure not having a set lineup before tipoff may have caused confusion among the players, but more so a non-gimp Artest sure does help limiting other teams best player and establish physical play.
Luis Scola has also been huge for the Rockets. You can pencil him in for a double-double almost every night. It's all the more impressive that Scola gets those double-doubles without having plays run through him.
Scola is the scrappy player teams need to win.
The most impressive part about Scola's game is the improvement he's made over the offseason. His defense is vastly better, his jumpers have been more consistent and he doesn't give up on a play until it's dead.
The Lakers will be without forward Lamar Odom for tonights game because he left the bench in Los Angeles' last game Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Blazer forward Rudy Fernandez had a clear break towards the basket when Trevor Ariza came from behind and hit Fernandez in the head and Fernandez's body contorted and flailed to the ground.
The Rockets cannot let Bryant beat them. Make Gasol put up 25 points or Derek Fisher or Jordan Farmer. Bryant cannot get off to a good start, or Houston's in for a long night.
Also the Rockets need to establish Yao Ming from the get go and don't stop attacking Gasol and the rest of the Laker front court. Get the Lakers in foul trouble and get to the line.
The Rockets should come out with another win, but it's going to be tough. Houston really needs to learn to hold on to leads in the fourth quarter if they want to be considered elite.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
3/6/09 Suns @ Rockets Post-Game
As expected, a close and tough fought game. Rockets win 116-112
Did anyone feel like the Rockets were going to lose this game?
It got really close but it felt like the Rockets had Phoenix on a leash on offense. Defensively, Phoenix and Nash got what they were wanting, but the Rockets did the same.
The Suns made it real close and even tied it when they hit a couple of threes in the final two minutes, but Aaron Brooks came up big on the Rockets last possession, blowing past Shaq to get the game winning layup, combine that with a missed Nash three.
Did anyone feel like the Rockets were going to lose this game?
It got really close but it felt like the Rockets had Phoenix on a leash on offense. Defensively, Phoenix and Nash got what they were wanting, but the Rockets did the same.
The Suns made it real close and even tied it when they hit a couple of threes in the final two minutes, but Aaron Brooks came up big on the Rockets last possession, blowing past Shaq to get the game winning layup, combine that with a missed Nash three.
3/6/09 Suns @ Rockets End of 3rd
Rockets 81-76.
The lead the Rockets built up in the second quarter disappeared, as the Suns fought back to tie the game in the third quarter.
Phoenix started to hit its shots and the Rockets missed.
In the beginning of the second half, it was the Steve Nash vs. Aaron Brooks show. Both players went back and forth.
The Rockets need to clamp down on the perimeter shots and close out this game.
The lead the Rockets built up in the second quarter disappeared, as the Suns fought back to tie the game in the third quarter.
Phoenix started to hit its shots and the Rockets missed.
In the beginning of the second half, it was the Steve Nash vs. Aaron Brooks show. Both players went back and forth.
The Rockets need to clamp down on the perimeter shots and close out this game.
3/6/09 Suns @ Rockets Halftime
Rockets 56-46.
Phoenix shot back into the game early in the second quarter to take the lead.
Leandro Barbosa is playing well and scored 14 points to lead Phoenix.
Luis Scola is the constant the Rockets have had all year and Aaron Brooks is playing well, although he has had a few boneheaded plays.
Yao vs. Shaq right now stands at 10/7 - 8/3 advantage Yao.
Rockets need to play like they've been playing to end the half. Houston needs to run when they get a chance, keep the ball moving and play good defense.
Phoenix shot back into the game early in the second quarter to take the lead.
Leandro Barbosa is playing well and scored 14 points to lead Phoenix.
Luis Scola is the constant the Rockets have had all year and Aaron Brooks is playing well, although he has had a few boneheaded plays.
Yao vs. Shaq right now stands at 10/7 - 8/3 advantage Yao.
Rockets need to play like they've been playing to end the half. Houston needs to run when they get a chance, keep the ball moving and play good defense.
3/6/09 Suns @ Rockets End of 1st
At the end of the first quarter, Rockets are up 23-18.
The game started out pretty slow and sloppy, but the Rockets started to pick it up midway into the game.
Phoenix went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter.
Rockets need to continue to play good defense and take good shots.
The game started out pretty slow and sloppy, but the Rockets started to pick it up midway into the game.
Phoenix went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter.
Rockets need to continue to play good defense and take good shots.
3/6/09 Suns @ Rockets Pre-Game
The last time the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets faced each other, the game was halted for a scuffle between several players from each team.
Suns' forward Matt Barnes and now Orlando guard Rafer Alston got into each others face in the 94-82 Rockets win.
Alston took offense to Barnes' hard pick in the third quarter of that Nov. 12 game and a few possessions later, Alston shoved back.
Tracy McGrady came to Alstons' defense and Steve Nash the same for Barnes. McGrady and Nash got into it and Alston shoved Nash, the Shaquille O'Neal came over and started plowing any Rocket in sight.
Alston and Barnes were ejected and suspended.
Much has changed since that November night in Phoenix. For the Rockets (39-23), McGrady is out for this season and for the foreseeable future, Alston was traded to the Orlando Magic and the style of offense has changed.
For the Suns (34-27), Amar'e Stoudemire had his season cut short due to a detached retina, head coach Terry Porter was dumped at the All-Star break and the Phoenix picked up the tempo under head coach Alvin Gentry.
Both teams are coming off losses on the road.
The Rockets fought tough in the 101-94 loss to the Utah Jazz, while Phoenix was out gunned by Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 135-129.
Both teams like to get up-and-down the floor, but only Houston is committed to playing defense.
While the Shaq vs. Yao should be mentioned, look for each of them to cancel each other out. The more interesting match-up is Nash and Aaron Brooks. Neither play well on the defensive side of the ball and both shoot well. The only difference is Nash's supremely better ball-handling skills. Look for a big game from both players.
This should be a close and up-tempo game. Look for the score to be in the century mark for both teams. The Rockets take pleasure in opposing teams taking jumpshots, but Phoenix is a great shooting team. Harass Nash and for the Suns to turn the ball over and take tough, late shots and the Rockets should record its 11th straight in at home.
Suns' forward Matt Barnes and now Orlando guard Rafer Alston got into each others face in the 94-82 Rockets win.
Alston took offense to Barnes' hard pick in the third quarter of that Nov. 12 game and a few possessions later, Alston shoved back.
Tracy McGrady came to Alstons' defense and Steve Nash the same for Barnes. McGrady and Nash got into it and Alston shoved Nash, the Shaquille O'Neal came over and started plowing any Rocket in sight.
Alston and Barnes were ejected and suspended.
Much has changed since that November night in Phoenix. For the Rockets (39-23), McGrady is out for this season and for the foreseeable future, Alston was traded to the Orlando Magic and the style of offense has changed.
For the Suns (34-27), Amar'e Stoudemire had his season cut short due to a detached retina, head coach Terry Porter was dumped at the All-Star break and the Phoenix picked up the tempo under head coach Alvin Gentry.
Both teams are coming off losses on the road.
The Rockets fought tough in the 101-94 loss to the Utah Jazz, while Phoenix was out gunned by Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 135-129.
Both teams like to get up-and-down the floor, but only Houston is committed to playing defense.
While the Shaq vs. Yao should be mentioned, look for each of them to cancel each other out. The more interesting match-up is Nash and Aaron Brooks. Neither play well on the defensive side of the ball and both shoot well. The only difference is Nash's supremely better ball-handling skills. Look for a big game from both players.
This should be a close and up-tempo game. Look for the score to be in the century mark for both teams. The Rockets take pleasure in opposing teams taking jumpshots, but Phoenix is a great shooting team. Harass Nash and for the Suns to turn the ball over and take tough, late shots and the Rockets should record its 11th straight in at home.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
3/3/09 Raptors @ Rockets Post-Game
Rockets win 107-97
Rockets started slow in both the first and third quarters but managed to make runs to in both quarters to hold off the Raptors.
A couple late 3-pointers put some separation between the two teams.
Yao, Scola and Landry played well as a front court. It's good to see Landry back out there for the Rockets and looks like that ankle isn't bothering him any more.
Brooks struggled a bit, more so not being aggressive than anything else.
Rockets have an extremely tough test tomorrow going to Utah.
Rockets started slow in both the first and third quarters but managed to make runs to in both quarters to hold off the Raptors.
A couple late 3-pointers put some separation between the two teams.
Yao, Scola and Landry played well as a front court. It's good to see Landry back out there for the Rockets and looks like that ankle isn't bothering him any more.
Brooks struggled a bit, more so not being aggressive than anything else.
Rockets have an extremely tough test tomorrow going to Utah.
3/3/09 Raptors @ Rockets End of 3rd
Rockets 77-72.
Raptors tied and took the lead in the third quarter but the Rockets fought back and regained the lead to finish the quarter.
Toronto started to front Yao using Chris Bosh. The bench came in and did a nice job. Luis Scola is playing extremely well, he has 16 points and 15 rebounds through three quarters.
Raptors tied and took the lead in the third quarter but the Rockets fought back and regained the lead to finish the quarter.
Toronto started to front Yao using Chris Bosh. The bench came in and did a nice job. Luis Scola is playing extremely well, he has 16 points and 15 rebounds through three quarters.
3/3/09 Raptors @ Rockets Halftime
Rockets 57-49.
Raptors cooled off and the Rockets caught fire. Rockets playing good defense and having Landry back makes a big difference.
Yao is playing well on offense but defensively, struggling a little bit.
Raptors cooled off and the Rockets caught fire. Rockets playing good defense and having Landry back makes a big difference.
Yao is playing well on offense but defensively, struggling a little bit.
3/3/09 Raptors @ Rockets End of 1st
Raptors up 26-20.
Toronto started the game on fire. Chris Both was making Yao come out and guard him. This might be a long game if the Raptors continue to hit their jumpers.
Toronto started the game on fire. Chris Both was making Yao come out and guard him. This might be a long game if the Raptors continue to hit their jumpers.
3/3/09 Raptors @ Rockets Pre-Game
The Houston Rockets worst defeat might have come in the hands of Chris Bosh and Co. with a sound 94-73 shlacking back on Jan. 2.
The Rockets (38-22) road woes continued on Saturday when they gave up a 17-point lead to the Bulls in the fourth quarter, which broke Houston's six-game winning streak.
Houston has another winning streak up at home the Raptors (23-38) can end tonight, a nine-game home winning streak.
The biggest problem for Houston has been the inability to finish the game. It wasn't just against Chicago, but the Rockets have had problems finishing the Blazers and Mavericks last week.
The Raptors have not been able to get a road win since the All-Star break (0-3). Toronto has also been horrendous in the first quarter, allowing more than 30 points in each of the three road losses.
Another problem for Houston has been its record against the East, a 14-12 mark. If the Rockets want to start establishing itself has an elite team, then wins need to come against teams with sub .500 record and teams coming out of the East.
A bright spot in some of the inconsistency is Ron Artest, Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry. They've played well and they will be key players down the stretch.
For Toronto, the addition of forward Shawn Marion hasn't been necessarily been the spark they were looking for. Since the Jermaine O'Neal, Marion swap with Miami, the Raptors are 2-4. Marion is, however, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
It'll be Shane Battier's job to keep those numbers to a minimum.
The Rockets should win this game easily, but the Rockets have lost a lot of games this season they should have won easily.
The Rockets (38-22) road woes continued on Saturday when they gave up a 17-point lead to the Bulls in the fourth quarter, which broke Houston's six-game winning streak.
Houston has another winning streak up at home the Raptors (23-38) can end tonight, a nine-game home winning streak.
The biggest problem for Houston has been the inability to finish the game. It wasn't just against Chicago, but the Rockets have had problems finishing the Blazers and Mavericks last week.
The Raptors have not been able to get a road win since the All-Star break (0-3). Toronto has also been horrendous in the first quarter, allowing more than 30 points in each of the three road losses.
Another problem for Houston has been its record against the East, a 14-12 mark. If the Rockets want to start establishing itself has an elite team, then wins need to come against teams with sub .500 record and teams coming out of the East.
A bright spot in some of the inconsistency is Ron Artest, Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry. They've played well and they will be key players down the stretch.
For Toronto, the addition of forward Shawn Marion hasn't been necessarily been the spark they were looking for. Since the Jermaine O'Neal, Marion swap with Miami, the Raptors are 2-4. Marion is, however, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
It'll be Shane Battier's job to keep those numbers to a minimum.
The Rockets should win this game easily, but the Rockets have lost a lot of games this season they should have won easily.
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