New York vs. Houston

[Mr. J]

*made by Knicks Analyst

Knicks 17-21

Rockets 19-12

" target="_blank">http://espn.go.com/i/nba/clubhouse/hou_logo.gif"></a>
<font size="3">
Date: 1/20/05
</font>Time 7:30<font size="2
TV: MSG[SIZE=2">[/b]</font>

<font size="4">Season Stats</font>

Previous Games:
Knicks: 98-81L @ Raptors
Rockets: 108-99W @ Magic

Knicks
Record: 17-21 (.447)
Standings: Third, Atlantic 10th seed in the Eastern Conference
At Home: 11-8
On Road: 6-13

PPG: 95.6 Opp PPG: 97.8
FG%: .445 Opp FG%: .463
RPG: 40.8 Opp RPG: 42.3

Rockets:
Record: 21-19 (.613)
Standings: Fourth, Southwest 8th seed in the Eastern Conference
At Home: 12-3
On Road: 9-7

PPG: 96.9 Opp PPG: 93.5
FG%: .454 Opp FG%: .441
RPG: 41.8 Opp RPG: 39.0

<font size="2">*Bold Indicates Leads the Team. Allan Houston is not included.</font>
<font size="4">
<font color="DarkOrange">Knicks</font></font>
PG: Stephon Marbury
39.8mpg 20.4ppg 2.9rpg 8.7apg FG%:46.1 3P%:32.7 FT%:84.2 SPG:1.50 BPG:0.05 TO:3.03

SG: Jamal Crawford
36.3mpg 18.4ppg 2.8rpg 3.6apg FG%:38.9 3P%:34.0 FT%:85.4 SPG:1.50 BPG:0.43 TO:2.39

SF: Tim Thomas
26.7mpg 10.3ppg 3.4rpg 1.1apg FG%:39.6 3P%:34.5 FT%:78.8 SPG:0.63 BPG:0.34 TO:1.69
<font color="Red">"Edit" </font>

PF: Kurt Thomas
36.3mpg 11.7ppg 9.7rpg 1.9apg FG%:48.2 FT%:80.0 SPG:1.13 BPG:0.89 TO:1.21

C: Nazr Mohammed
30.4mpg 12.3ppg 9.2rpg 0.4apg FG%:52.6 FT%:72.5 SPG:1.21 BPG:1.11 TO:1.39

<font size="3">Bench:</font>
Allan Houston
26.6mpg 11.9ppg 1.2rpg 2.1apg

Jerome Williams 17.2mpg 5.3ppg 3.8rpg 1.3apg

Trevor Ariza 15.9mpg 5.0ppg 2.7rpg 1.3apg

Jamison Brewer 8.8mpg 0.8ppg 1.5rpg 0.5apg

Vin Baker 7.9mpg 1.4ppg 1.5rpg 0.5apg

Bruno Sundov 4.0mpg 1.8ppg 1.3rpg 0.3apg

<font size="4">
<font color="Red">Rockets</font></font>
PG: David Wesley
35.3mpg 12.4ppg 3.3rpg 3.9apg FG%:35.1 3P%:34.0 FT%:86.5 SPG:1.16 BPG:0.08 TO:1.68

SG: Bob Sura
33.0mpg 10.3ppg 5.7rpg 4.7apg FG%:44.7 3P%:32.3 FT%:74.7 SPG:1.35 BPG:0.08 TO:2.42

SF: Tracy McGrady
41.9mpg 25.0ppg 6.2rpg 5.6apg FG%:42.5 3P%:33.0 FT%:77.1 SPG:1.66 BPG:0.87 TO:2.71

PF: Juwan Howard
23.7mpg 8.8ppg 4.8rpg 1.4apg FG%:45.9 FT%:81.8 SPG:0.50 BPG:0.13 TO:1.13

C: Yao Ming
31.2mpg 18.1ppg8.3rpg 0.7apg FG%:52.0 FT%:77.9 SPG:0.51 BPG:1.82 TO:2.92

<font size="3">Bench</font>
Dikembe Mutombo 13.8mpg 4.0ppg 4.5rpg 0.1apg

Jon Barry 20.6mpg 5.3ppg 1.9rpg 2.2apg

Andre Barrett 13.7mpg 2.9ppg 0.7rpg 1.8apg

Scott Padgett 9.1mpg 2.3ppg 2.0rpg 043apg

Ryan Bowen 8.9mpg 1.3ppg 0.9rpg 0.4apg

Clarence Weatherspoon 7.8mpg 2.1ppg 1.8rpg 0.2apg

<font size="4">
<font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font>
<font color="DarkOrange">NYK:</font> Penny Hardaway, Moochie Norris
<font color="Red">HOU:</font>Charlie Ward, Maurice Taylor, Reece Gaines

<font size="4">
<font color="Green">Matchups:</font></font>

vs.

PG: How many scenarios have we had where Marbury needs to watch out for those point guards with 3 point range? Wesley is a great shooter that Marbury needs to definitely guard. I have seen more effort on the defensive end which I am happy about. This might be where he has to watch out the most. Wesley?s shooting is so lethal, it creates space for McGrady, and Yao Ming making things much easier for them. The Knicks have to play great defense, but it starts here at the 1 position. They can determine whether they are going to have a bad night, or a good night if depending on whether Marbury decides to play well on the defensive end tonight.

vs.

SG: Jamal Crawford can not sleep on Sura ever for a second. Sura doesn?t excel in anything however, he does many things very well which is why he is such an effective player. He gives you roughly 10/5/5 per game which is pretty good. He also had some triple doubles with ATL last season. Crawford will have to shake up Sura, and not settle for the jumpshot. His shot selection is detrimental for us down the stretch and the way we have been playing as of late, we can ill afford that.

<font color="Red">"Edit" </font> vs.

SF: We will be playing a player who is considered by many a superstar, a player that dropped more than 60 points in a game, a player known to us all as McGrady however, some call him T-Mac. Tracy McGrady can heat up at anytime, and is known for making statements. He had some highlight dunks against us during the previous game, and I think that he will try that again?especially being at MSG and all. TT? We already now about him. The question is, when is Lenny Wilkens going to make his first substitution! Btw, is it just me or does TT look a little different today lol!

vs.

PF: Kurt Thomas will be playing Juwan Howard. I realy don?t see Howard being a threat for us at all tonight. If Kurt Thomas plays his usual stellar defense, then we can keep Howard in check. Also, with Thomas? midrange jumper, it should prevent him from doing anything in the paint. I see Kurt Thomas takinig full advantage of this matchup tonight.

vs.

C: Nazr Mohammed against the crowd favorite Yao Ming. This guy was expected to be bigger than Shaq and has not come close to meeting expectations however, the man is very young and has a long way to go. Last game, Nazr Mohammed did not score well but he manage to grab 17 boards for us. I see something similar happening today. I do not see Nazr doing well against the 7 inch defecit but I see him putting more effort on what the team will need him in most. Yao Ming has great post moves taught by the great Patrick Ewing. Last meeting he was 9-18 with 23 pints and 11 rebounds. Yesterday he was 8-12 with 20 points. Let?s see how this one goes it should definitely be interesting for us.

<font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Bench Summary</font></font>

We still don?t have Penny, and Moochie is out so again, we are not at our best. I hope JYD gets the time he deserves especially with McGrady around. I see him giving McGrady some hard time. Just the extra effort and extra muscle should make McGrady think more. If we can stop McGrady, then we greatly increase our chances of wining.

<font size="3"><font color="Red">Rockets Bench Summary:</font></font>
Well, Houston is still without our favorite Ward, and Maurice Taylor is gone evening it out for us. Barry is still an excellent role player and will play is heart out. I guess he is their version of JYD! Anyway, Van Gundy is a good coach and knows how to make accurate substitutions that make sense unlike some people I know. Hopefully their bench doesn?t give us too much of a hard time.

<font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font>
The Key Matchup is at the PG position.
Nazr

" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/act_nazr_mohammed.jpg"></a> vs.

" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/act_yao_ming.jpg"></a>Yao
Man there were many options. There was Marbury/Wesley, Sura/Crawford, and even Thomas/Howard because Thomas had such a good game last meeting. I chose this because Nazr can not let Yao dominate which can definitely not happen especially with our perimeter defnse being so horrible. Yao can open up a game and help the Rockets blow us out. Nazr has to be the back bone and stopper or troubler to at least give Yao a hard time. This will especially be more difficult considering Yao has a ton of confidence shooting 8-12 yesterday.


<font size="4">My Prediction:</font>
This will be very interesting. The Houston Rockets are hanging on to that 8th seed by a thread, and they want to start making a run and meet expectations that were thrown at them this season by the fans, media, the organization, and the whole city of Houston! The Knicks are trying to do them same while breaking a losing streak, and making a statement on their home floor. This will be a tough one. I think I will have to go with New York though. Reading the papers and stuff, it looks like the players are supporting Wilkens and after talks, thoughts, and seeing that horrible division of ours,they will try and make a statement on their home court of Madison Square Garden. I?m going with us by 97-91 I hope I?m right. I don?t know if I can bare to see another Knicks loss! TNG still stay strong though

!

<font color="Red">Please Do Not post Pictures like that...I get the joke and so does alot of our members. But to those who are not familiar in the general public, a joke/picuture like that can be extremely offensive to many. As well as give off the wrong perception about JBB. Please keep in mind that everyone is not familiar with somethings that maybe done with no malice intended- Henacy </font>

 

[TnNeG]

This win is a must! We have lost 8 of the last 9 games (Or something like that, lost track after 6). Im really getting pissed at the poor defense.


(LOL AT TT)

 

[Tribute to H2O]

I'm tired of the losing. I would analyze the matchups and all but I dont have the heart to.

I just want to stop free falling into the depths of the Atlantic. We're looking decent so far. Houston is in a suit for the game. Does anyone know why and for how long? I tuned in late and didnt hear the explanation. Hope it's not serious and I hope we win

. Hope is all we can do when we have Lenny Wilkens as the coach.

 

[Ming637]

*sniff sniff*, what's that I smell? Do I smell another loss here? I agree with H20, I am sick of losing these games when we can win.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

What in God's name happened to you Ming?? Your signature says you love TT. That must have been some bet.

 

[Mr. J]

Crawford made Wesley FALL!!!

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">What in God's name happened to you Ming?? Your signature says you love TT. That must have been some bet.</div>
NA, he lost a bet to Obie Cent. No one likes TT around here. Not even me. I think Bobby was the last one.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Crawford made Wesley FALL!!!</div>

That was funny.

. Wesley got him back on the other end though. Not as flashy or funny but still two points. Crawford looks like he's having one of his good games tonight. I hope he keeps it up.

 

[Mr. J]

Halftime

<font size="7">Halftime</font>

<font size="5">Knicks: 46 Rockets: 43</font>

<font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Leading Scorers:</font></font>

<font size="3">Final Prediction</font>
The it is looking like a more defensive orriented game than I thought. Hopefully we can pull away though. They are still down by 3 and can easily make a run. I am taking New York with a score of 94-90 though. The crowd seems into it, and we need to win. Shall we go to the 3rd quarter...

 

[Penny]

I think the New York Knicks will bounce back, they don't suck that much too lose continously.


New York Knicks 96
Houston Rockets 93

I look to Stephon Marbury to lead the way and hit clutch shots.

EDIT: Allan Houston is not playing

 

[Beat]

Tim Thomas looks a little like Nazi today

 

[Mr. J]

It's getting scary. 86-81 Houston. Let's see what happends down the stretch.

 

[KnicksUK]

Another Knicks loss. I'm not at all surprised. We'll lose the next one too and the one after at this rate. <font color="Red">*******</font> SACK WILKINS. It's that simple.

<font color="Red">* Profanity is against the JBB Guidelines. Consider this is your warning.
- VC</font>

 

[TnNeG]

Who said we lost? 1:30 left. GO KNICKS!

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TNG Impact:</div><div class="quote_post">Who said we lost? 1:30 left. GO KNICKS!</div>
We lost TNG. What a heartbreaker. I guess it was fate because of what Crawford did. But Padgett? Anyway, I appreciated the effort and the run. I guess it's time to rub it in right (you know who you are!)

 

[Ming637]

We don't deserve this <font color="Red">********</font>, we don't! How can the Knicks D break down at a time like this huh?! Man, we are 1.5 games back from the <font color="Red">******</font> atlantic <font color="Red">******</font>. The Knicks have to pick up their defense from start to end! We have the Bucks on Sunday and if we don't beat them, i'm gonna do something that i'm going to regret.

<font color="Red">* Profanity is against the JBB Guidelines. Consider this your warning as well.
- VC</font>

 

[Tribute to H2O]

MY GOD!!!! I dont believe it!!! I dont care what the numbers say, Marbury and Crawford lost the game for us!!! I am so angry right now!! What kind of an idiot play was that at the end? The game was on the line and they blew it. Marbury is more to blame than Crawford however. The moment came, it was his time to take the shot and he didnt take it. They both passed the shot up, they both froze. I am disgusted with both of them right now. Those are the times I really miss Houston. I'm really starting to believe that Marbury and Crawford are losers at heart. If one of them had so much as thrown the ball up towards the basket we would have won. But they were too afraid to step up and make an attempt to be the hero of the game.

 

[KnicksUK]

We gonna lose the next game, mark my words. Inability to play decent D is costing us.

 

[Mr. J]

We played pretty well (untill the final seconds) but the defnse was amazing...at least for us. I was especially surprised about Sweetney. You wouldn't believe how many ignorant comments I heard in the Rose and MarshallThread. People just don't know. Anyway, it should give us confidence against a less superior Milwaukee Bucks team. I'm really upset though. Imagine if we made it to the finals playing them and this happened in a game 7. I don't know what I would do. Too bad it didn't though. I don't even want to contaminate your minds, or give you a nightmare!

 

[Trip]

Nope. Marbury and Crawford didn't lose the game for you guys. Scott Padgett won it for Houston. There's a difference. I don't think fingers will be pointed as much had Padgett not made that shot.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Nope. Marbury and Crawford didn't lose the game for you guys. Scott Padgett won it for Houston. There's a difference. I don't think fingers will be pointed as much had Padgett not made that shot.</div>
No, I have to disagree. That horrible posession really didn't do us well. That somewhat deflated our confidence and it would have been really over had someone on the Knicks made an offensive rebound.

Of course not as much if Padgett didn't make that shot. But, we lost the game, so fingers are pointed. That's just the way it is.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Nope. Marbury and Crawford didn't lose the game for you guys. Scott Padgett won it for Houston. There's a difference. I don't think fingers will be pointed as much had Padgett not made that shot.</div>

I'm sorry but you're quite simply wrong. That final Knicks turnover was the difference maker. Had Marbury or Crawford so much as threw the ball towards the direction of the basket the Rockets wouldnt have had enough time to get that shot off. In fact considering the Rockets prowess or lack thereof(I think that's how it's spelled) in rebounding it's very likely the Knicks would have gotten the offensive rebound and really iced the game. The Rockets didnt win that game so much as the Knicks lost it. I would have still been mad had Padgett missed and the Knicks won because it's those kinds of stupid errors that can cost the Knicks the game, just like it did tonight.