NBA monday.

[MrChristo]

2004: 39-27-2

Staying firmly seated on the Houston wagon ....Would that be a Rocket Sled?? :thinking:

Houston -10

League: 60-3 SU (av. Win 15.8) home 10+ fav, 1 day off 10- ats win as home 5+ fav. [Houst]
8-3 ats (Av. Win 22.6!!) if opp off 15+ ats loss.

League: 0-5 (Av. Loss 20.2!) away 10+ dog, 1 day off 15+ ats loss as home 5+ dog. [Pho]
3-7 this number (Av. Loss 18.7) off any rest.
1-4 (Av. Loss 24.2!!) if opp off ats win.
0-46 SU! (Av. Loss 14.2) away 10+ dog, any rest off a 15+ ats loss as any 5+ dog.
6-15 ats (Av. Loss 17.9) if opp off ats win.
2-12 this no. (Av. Loss 19.7!) if opp off 10- ats win!

Houston aren?t a team that win by big margins often, but I think that?s the very reason why the line is a few points lower than it should be.
Phoenix appear to have flat out given up for the year, while Houston need to keep winning for play-off spots.
Houston?s only real problem is it?s perimeter D, but Suns are only 21st in the NBA for 3 point %...Add a massive rebounding advantage to the Rockets, and I?m pretty sure this one gets ugly.

Good Luck all

 

[Rowdy]

Houston has had trouble with this team in the past. There are a few ways to look at it: 1)Houston owes this team some pay back and this will serve as extra motivation 2) Houston match up problems haven't chaned with this team, Stoudamire can't be guarded and if Johnson gets hot this could be a game. 3) Phoenix knows they can play with this team has nothing to lose and plays loose and aggressive... your thoughts?

The article below has been copied from the ESPN site

The Rockets will play host to the Phoenix Suns tonight at Toyota Center for the final time this season.

Houston has struggled against Phoenix this season, including two blowout losses in America West Arena. In Phoenix?s previous trip to Toyota Center the Rockets came away with a 90-85 victory behind 26 points from Steve Francis and a Yao Ming double-double (21 points, 14 boards).
The Rockets have encountered difficulties matching up with the Suns athleticism in the earlier meetings. Versatile Phoenix forward Shawn Marion went off for 31 points while shooting guard Joe Johnson poured in 27 during Houston?s most recent visit to Phoenix (a 99-79 loss on Feb. 2), in what was perhaps Houston?s low point of the season.
The loss was the fourth straight for the Rockets, who played without the services of Francis while the Rockets guard served a one-game suspension for the infamous Super Bowl incident.

"I think we were cocky," Yao said following that game. "Everybody knows that we are one of the best defensive teams, so they are going to try and come at us, and I don't think we were prepared."

If Yao?s assumption was correct in that the Rockets weren?t prepared, it is safe to assume they will be tonight. Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy and his staff have done a masterful job this season of making necessary adjustments on a game-to-game basis. Expect to see a much more focused Rockets team in tonight?s contest.

The Rockets will have their hands full trying to contain second-year forward Amare Stoudemire. The Suns forward, who edged Yao in last year?s voting for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, has stepped up his game this season.

Despite missing 27 games with various ankle injuries, Stoudemire has increased his numbers in nearly every statistical category and pairs with Marion to form one of the most explosive frontcourts in the NBA. Stoudemire recently eclipsed 20 points in 11 straight games, a feat that had not been accomplished by a Suns player since Charles Barkley had a similar streak during the 1995-96 season.

Johnson has been especially tough against the Rockets this season, averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists in three games. The Suns guard isn?t particularly effective at shooting the ball from long range (he connects on less than 30 percent of his three-point attempts), but he is a streak shooter and capable of getting on a roll as evidenced by his previous performances against the Rockets.

Point guard Leandro Barbosa and Houston-area native Jake Voskuhl round out the Suns starting lineup. Voskuhl provides a lot of activity defensively and on the boards for Phoenix but the 6-11 center likely will be over-matched tonight against Yao.

Kelvin Cato and Jim Jackson will be given the unenviable defensive assignments on Stoudemire and Marion. If he's able to go tonight, Clarence Weatherspoon could see significant minutes tonight opposite Stoudemire, who presents a difficult challenge inside the paint on both ends of the court. Weatherspoon missed Houston's Saturday's victory over the Grizzlies with a strained calf and is questionable tonight. Without much threat from the Suns offensively at the center position, Yao can afford to offer weak side assistance although he will need to avoid getting into foul trouble. If Francis shoots well the Rockets usually win, so keep an eye on the Franchise?s shot selection in tonight?s contest.

 

[MrChristo]

Thanks, Rowdy.

Honestly don't think Stoudamire is much of a concern. As I said, Houston are only 24th in the league for 3 point % D, but best in overall D%! This must mean that they are incredibly tough to score against inside...no real wonder with Yao patrolling the paint I guess!
Houston will have no problems scoring. Phoenix have only allowed less than 95 in ONE game in their last 16!!!!!! (That was at home to a Kidd-less Nets!)...and they have allowed at least 97 in their last 9 road games.
Houston have kept 9 of their last 12 opponents below 87 @ home.
Phoenix are also 2-11 ats in their last 13 v. the West. They just aren't a good team.

 

[MrChristo]

WOW!

WOW!

Damn...What a horrible loss.
13 3 pointers.
20 reg. FG's
and 27 turnovers!!!

Madness!

Have learnt a lesson tho....Will be playing 'big' favs for the first half only. Just gone back thro a few results, and of the last 12 fav's I've played, only 7 have covered the game line, but 10 covered the HT line!

Think there might be something in that.

Hope everyone had a better day.