3* - Houston (+7)
The Rockets have now won eight straight with all but of two of those wins coming against playoff teams. While some of you may think that this pick reeks of homerism, I?m here to tell you that the Rockets are for real and I simply can not see a 20 point difference between Saturday?s and tonight?s scores which is what it will take for Dallas to cover.
Ryan Bowen did a great job of guarding Nowitzki in game one holding him to 5 field goals in 19 attempts including just 1 of 10 in the second half. While I am not sure we can expect that kind of letdown again, the combination of Bowen and McGrady on Nowitzky looks pretty strong.
T-Mac?s 34 points were not untypical of his play against the Mavs this year as he has averaged 31.8 points in their five games this season and the Rockets have now won the last three of those contests. Although Dallas won the first two meetings early in the season, that was against a much different Rockets team. That was before Houston brought in Mike James, David Wesley and Jon Barry who accounted for 33 points between them in Saturday?s game. In the middle, Yao and Mutombo scored a combined 19 points and 16 rebounds while Dallas? big men Dampier, Van Horn and Bradley were only able to muster 12 points and 12 rebounds between the three of them.
Once again I expect James to have a big game for Houston and if Yao can possibly stay out of foul trouble, he could come up huge as Mav?s HC Johnson is certain to double McGrady much more in this contest. If Yao falters, Mutombo has shown that his presence in the paint is sufficient to give Houston?s outside shooters their chance.
By the way, I laid down $100 at 28 to 1 that the Rockets win it all. Sure, it's a long shot but one with pretty good value if you ask me.
The Rockets have now won eight straight with all but of two of those wins coming against playoff teams. While some of you may think that this pick reeks of homerism, I?m here to tell you that the Rockets are for real and I simply can not see a 20 point difference between Saturday?s and tonight?s scores which is what it will take for Dallas to cover.
Ryan Bowen did a great job of guarding Nowitzki in game one holding him to 5 field goals in 19 attempts including just 1 of 10 in the second half. While I am not sure we can expect that kind of letdown again, the combination of Bowen and McGrady on Nowitzky looks pretty strong.
T-Mac?s 34 points were not untypical of his play against the Mavs this year as he has averaged 31.8 points in their five games this season and the Rockets have now won the last three of those contests. Although Dallas won the first two meetings early in the season, that was against a much different Rockets team. That was before Houston brought in Mike James, David Wesley and Jon Barry who accounted for 33 points between them in Saturday?s game. In the middle, Yao and Mutombo scored a combined 19 points and 16 rebounds while Dallas? big men Dampier, Van Horn and Bradley were only able to muster 12 points and 12 rebounds between the three of them.
Once again I expect James to have a big game for Houston and if Yao can possibly stay out of foul trouble, he could come up huge as Mav?s HC Johnson is certain to double McGrady much more in this contest. If Yao falters, Mutombo has shown that his presence in the paint is sufficient to give Houston?s outside shooters their chance.
By the way, I laid down $100 at 28 to 1 that the Rockets win it all. Sure, it's a long shot but one with pretty good value if you ask me.
