I predicted that Rockets may be tied with Denver Nuggets in conference standing. kinda surprised that Trailblazers are fighting hard. I hope Rockets win this game. another showdown between Lillard and Jeremy. right now, I'm a "homeless" team fan, I can devote more time cheering solely for Jeremy.
I've been saying that Portland is the toughest matchup for the Rockets in the NBA.
They have two fleet footed super athletic max contract forwards in Batum and Aldridge. Batum is the biggest Rocket killer in the NBA, more than even Lebron or Duncan. He's not a max contract player, but he explodes against the defenseless Houston forwards like a Hall of Famer.
Lin himself doesn't have anything to worry about from Damian Lillard on either end of the court. And the way the Rockets are playing, I'm not even truly worried about Lin's offensive production.
What worries me is that the minimum wage Houston frontcourt is so severely overmatched against Batum and Aldridge.
I do not think that the Rockets can win this game. I think they easily could be blown out of this one.
@KHuang, I have never doubted your scouting report but what puzzles me most is that if the Blazers are such tough matchup for the Rockets, logically, they should be killing other teams easily. But we don't see that happens often; there are games which the Blazers had to fight till the very last second to win. Why?
Contrary to KHuang, I don't feel the Blazers are the toughest matchup for the Roxs. Although the Roxs lost twice in OT, they were up for the most part until things started to dwindle towards the latter of the 2nd half and in critical moments of the game. Those 2 games were played earlier in the season and the Roxs were still trying to figure things out. The Roxs offense weren't completely in sync, not that they are now but they're playing with an identity and seem to have some semblance of what it takes to be successful. As a result, the Roxs are near the top in offensive efficiency, pace, and field goal percentage as you all know. However, the Blazers are in the mid pack in defense so the Roxs will need to be wary of the Blazers length and athleticism as they will disrupt the passing lanes and block shots. Also, during those games the Blazers gave up a lot points in the paint to the Roxs. As mediocre as Asik is in the post, he can take advantage of Hickson, Aldridge, and Leonard in the block--the same goes for G. Smith, Patterson, and Morris if they try to work in the paint.
Obviously, Aldridge is a great PF, just the kind of player the Roxs wished they have. He has an arsenal of moves posting up at the elbow and high block for a step back, spin around, or face up. He also runs a lot of high screens and give and go with Lillard, Batum, and Matthews so the Roxs need to switch, trap, and defend better and make it difficult for them to take the long 2s and mid-range jumpers. The Blazers are the highest, or one of the highest, in long 2s and mid-range shots attempted. JLin will have his hands full guarding Lillard on these high screens with Aldridge and Hickson. Parsons should be wary of Batum's jab step as he will likely take a step back for jumpers or 3s, especially when the game is tight down the stretch. As for Matthews, he's virtually the same as size as Harden. This guy can post you up, take you the basket, or shoot from the oustide so Harden will have his hands full as well. All in all, I believe the Rockets is a better team. Things have been looking promising lately so if the Roxs can keep up the good play, less the Heat's game, they should pull this one off. BTW, I thought the Roxs played as well as they can against the Heat. The Heat were just the better team with suffocating defense. Let's go Roxs!
One thing I would like to add though is that this game may be played with high intensity like a playoff game. Nevertheless, the Roxs and Blazers are fighting for a playoff spot.
Watch out Lillard's 3's. Watch out Aldridge's floaters(15 ft) on that left side sweet spot. All rockets players should play defense. Harden is a major offense weapon and can't foul out,But to ask him just raise his hand to defend(Not like fouled in last Miami game) is not too much. 40% of the time, they won't make it. Those 3 pointers are not Durant(He is very tall). Please teammate comes over if the ball handler got double-teamed! Please make those FT.
Compared to Houston's unathletic minimum wage forwards, they are overwhelmingly athletic. But compared to the average or above average forwards of most other teams, they're extremely manageable.
Jeremy Lin cannot help defend Batum and Aldridge because Lillard is cherry picking from the outside. Thus those two players, particularly Batum, run wild all game. Even if Lin could play help defense, it wouldn't solve the overwhelming athletic advantage Portland has at the forward positions.
I do hope that Racha is right about the Rockets being more able to handle the Blazers at this point in the season.
I've watched both games, and both were close...because of the refs. Don't get me wrong, Portland is a great team and I don't mind the Rox losing, but it's the way the games were lost. If it wasn't for the bad calls / no-calls, the Rox would've taken both games without even needing OT.
Yes, I hold grudges against the refs, especially after Donaghy, still fuming.
With Pau Gasol out, do the Lakers have a chance to reach the postseason? Updated: February 7, 2013, 11:25 AM ET By Kevin Pelton |ESPN Insider
As we approach the NBA's All-Star break, the playoff pictures should be clearing up. Instead, after the top two teams, the Western Conference races are as muddled as ever. With the help of simulating the remainder of the season a thousand times, let's take a look at what the numbers say about who will end up where when the music stops in April.
First-Second seeds Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs
With the Los Angeles Clippers slumping, it has become a familiar two-team race for home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs, with San Antonio once again claiming the role of favorite. Oklahoma City actually has the slightly better point differential thus far (plus-8.8 points per game versus plus-8.5), but when we account for schedule, the Spurs move just ahead of the Thunder. Naturally, that means San Antonio has the easier slate the rest of the way. Add in the Spurs' current 1.5-game lead in the standings and they land the No. 1 seed in 63 percent of simulations.
Third-Sixth seeds Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors
We're less than two months removed from the Nuggets being below .500, but they enter Thursday's nationally televised matchup with theChicago Bulls holding the fourth spot in the West and home-court advantage if the season ended today. The Nuggets have surged as their schedule has evened out, going 10-2 at home and 12-3 overall in January. Though a road-heavy slate early in the season will be completely back to even after Thursday, Denver still has a number of tasty matchups against the lesser Eastern Conference the rest of the way.
Might the Nuggets challenge the Clippers for third in the West? Probably not. For one, Chris Paul is sure to return from a bone bruise in his right kneecap at some point. In the interim, the Clippers aren't playing as poorly with Eric Bledsoe at the point as their recent three-game losing streak made it appear. Overall, the Clippers have been 3.6 points better than an average team with Bledsoe as a starter -- a mark that would still tie them for sixth in the league.
So the Clippers still win the division in most simulations (97.7 percent of the time) and finish third almost three-quarters of the time. The race for fourth and fifth is much more interesting. The Nuggets and Grizzlies are close to evenly matched, though that assumes Memphis pulls out of its current tailspin. As solid as last week's deal involving Rudy Gay may have looked on paper, it evidently has caused the Grizzlies to question themselves. That starts with coach Lionel Hollins, who has openly bemoaned the roster he's being asked to coach, but extends to the players as well. No less an authority than grit/grind inventor Tony Allen questioned his teammates' level of fight after their dispirited loss Wednesday in Atlanta.
It was overshadowed by Mark Jackson fouling to prevent the Houston Rockets from setting a single-game record for 3-pointers, but the Warriors suddenly have their own defensive issues after giving up a combined 130.2 points per 100 possessions in back-to-back losses at Houston and Oklahoma City. Those games erased the good feelings generated byAndrew Bogut's return to the lineup last weekend. A healthy Bogut may be able to lift the Warriors into the mix for fourth or fifth, but most likely they're set in the sixth spot.
Seventh-Eighth seeds Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers
For the first time in weeks, the Lakers looked likely to make the playoffs after winning at Brooklyn Tuesday night. The Hollinger Playoff Odds give them a 47.4 percent shot of making the playoffs; my simulation is even more optimistic because it incorporates preseason Vegas lines, weighted about half as much as performance to date based on research by Insider's Neil Paine. The Lakers made it a full 57 percent of the time.
Just when the Lakers were starting to feel good about their chances, they found out they will be without Pau Gasol for an extended period. After an MRI Wednesday, the Lakers announced that Gasol has a torn plantar fascia. Such an injury usually carries a timetable of at least 3-4 weeks, and a league source told ESPNLA.com that the Lakers are expecting to be without Gasol for 4-6 weeks -- about half the remainder of the season.
That might not be as big a loss as it sounds. The SCHOENE projection system estimates that Gasol missing 15 games would cost the Lakers about one win the rest of the way. That still leaves them making the playoffs in slightly better than 50 percent of simulations. There's even an argument to be made the Lakers might be better off without the struggling Gasol. In the 13 games he has missed this season, including three that Dwight Howard also missed, the Lakers have rated 3.3 points above average, superior to their overall mark (plus-2.1 points per game). Their 5-8 record without Gasol is largely the product of playing nine of those 13 games on the road.
Portland admirably continues to hang in the playoff race despite a point differential similar to the 18-28 Minnesota Timberwolves and 17-32 Toronto Raptors. If the Blazers are still even with or ahead of the Lakers after the two teams play the day after the trade deadline, then it will be time to start taking their playoff chances seriously.
I don't know after the Lakers lost last night if they still look likely to make the playoffs. Too much drama with D12, Kobe, and the Lakers. The worst thing you can have now is the lack of chemistry. It's bad of me, but I just want the Lakers to drop dead this season.
I just know that we can't face OKC in the first round. I know the Spurs are good but they are old so that wouldn't be a bad matchup for us. Anything that skips Denver and Thunders for us is good. In a perfect world Rockets would go to the finals against..... yes, New York Knicks! Tell me if that wouldn't an exciting playoffs. Surely it will be my most exciting playoffs and I would try to go to one of the game in NY. It would be a once in a lifetime experience!
Les Alexander might think Dwight Howard is the 2nd coming of Hakeem Olajuwon, but I'd warn Les that Dwight is no Hakeem.
Dwight Howard has had fantastic seasons due to his athleticism, but he can't get past guys that he cannot physically overwhelm. Now that he's hurting, his lack of basketball skills really shows.
Dwight did tutor with Olajuwon, but he hasn't showed it much. Contrast that to Amare Stoudemire who really has become a wonderful post up player after Olajuwon's tutelage.
I am not convinced Dwight Howard can do a better job than Omer Asik. I'm not even sure if playing Dwight Howard alongside Asik would truly even help the Rockets win more.
If we win, we will have 4 games above .500 (28-24), Portland will drop to .500 (25-25). If we lose, Portland will own the tiebreaker, they will also take the 8th spot. This is how important this game is.
You know what. After watching so many games up to this point of the season. I'm no longer worried about our opposition anymore but somehow ended up having to worry about Lin's teammates, coaches, and the refs instead.
I know enough what greatness Lin is capable of doing and I have full faith in him just as Lin have full faith in God. Unfortunately can't say the same for everything else
I agree. Up to this point, I don't really care who the opponent is, rather how much effort the Roxs are going to put forth each and every game and if they can stick to their uptempo style.
Before the season, I wrote that Kevin McHale would beat Lin into becoming a championship level point guard. Here we are, though McHale's coaching sure looks ugly a lot of the time.
I didn't say McHale was going to be nice about whipping Lin into shape either.
JLin talks about being focused. Let just hope it's focus and not pressure and just stay loose. The Roxs really need this win though! The good thing is the Lakers lost last night--the Roxs need some breathing room.
Jeremy Lin @JLin7 Make sure you vote for @chandlerparsons (aka justin bieber aka jimmy neutron) to start in the #BBVARisingStars game at http://on.nba.com/Yid01X
As this article also indicates, the Blazers has one of the worse bench in the NBA. Lets force the Blazers starters to play major minutes and put them on their heels early and hope they tire out. The Roxs really need to pounce early in this game.
The Houston Rockets could retire Yao Ming's jersey the first home game after the All Star Game. He may be one of the judges in the All Star Slam Dunk contest.
It's not a shock the Heat are at the top the way they play defense--they're in lockstep. Wow, the Roxs are 16th and 23rd. The PF position is really an issue as it seems. We need to solidify the 4. I wish the Roxs can experiment with Terrence Jones or even DMo at the PF position. But at this point, the games are too critical to be experimenting.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen Rockets at Warrirors on Tue picked up by NBA-TV. Should be interesting after 23 3s, 1 flagrant foul and 2 late intentional fouls last time. 10:54 AM - 8 Feb 13
Hiren Joshi @htown747 #Rockets #Warriors has gained national curiosity. 2/12 NBA TV 3/8 ESPN 3/17 CSN-HOU (maybe we have a deal by then.. Emphasize MAYBE) 11:37 AM - 8 Feb 13
“The Rockets average a league-high 29 drives per game, with STATS defining “drive” as any time a player dribbles the ball from at least 20 feet away from the basket into an area within 10 feet of the rim. Drives do not include fast breaks, meaning transition chances don’t inflate the insane numbers Houston and Denver are putting up.
The average team “drives” about 20 times per game
Harden averages nine drives per game, which is fourth among players whose teams have the cameras. The top four: Tony Parker (10.8), Rajon Rondo (10.1), Russell Westbrook (9.3), and Jrue Holiday (9.2).
Houston is scoring 1.51 points per possession on trips in which he drives at any time in the shot clock. That is easily the highest mark among all players in the 15-team database with more than a token number of drives. It is a mammoth number; keep in mind, teams average just about one point per possession overall. Harden has drawn a foul on one-third of his drives, which is among the highest numbers in the data set, and sort of amazing when you think about it.
Jeremy Lin is averaging 8.1 drives per game, ninth among all players, and even though he’s having a disappointing season, the Rockets are scoring 1.32 points per possession when Lin drives — about what the Spurs have scored on Parker drive possessions.”
Interesting info. I wish I had that actual full numbers to look at. Seems Jlin is doing well but of course the insult had to be thrown in there ( having a disappointing season). What we don't know is how 1.32 points per possession ranks.
poorly written article IMHO. Should have been more charts and graphs of the actual data and not so much jabber and opinion.
Stupid. A disappointing season? Idiot. Maybe he's been put in a disappointing position most of the season, but isn't it remarkable how he always seems to pop up in these stats that demonstrate elite upside?
Lin's 3 point shot will come. You know what Lin has that other PG guards can never hope to acquire through practice? Lin's elite size and athleticism.
Everyone in the world understands this normally, but not when it comes to Lin. For the last three season no one has felt the need to ALWAYS qualify a good comment about, for example John Wall, with a negative. They always ASSUME the elite athleticism will pay off in the end. They don't qualify it because they love elite athleticism.
Why doesn't anyone love Lin's elite athleticism? Isn't it awfully curious that Lin's isolation numbers last year and his drive numbers this year are so spectacular even though he's only an average dribbler? He gets by anyone anytime.
I look forward to when we can all have designer babies with high IQs so I never have to listen to read stupid people writing sports journalism ever again.
Michael Terry and Racha, that disappointing "disappointing" description of Lin is why I HATE the racist American media.
These racist dumb journalists have to "balance" anything positive they write about an Asian with a negative comment. And viewers subconsciously learn how to bash Asians from reading such yucky articles.
I have put a block on following the racist media, so my indignancy toward anti-Asian racism in the media is definitely greater than that of most people.
No one is more of an anti racist than me. Last time I went to a Chinese restaurant, I chewed out the owner who was obviously perpetuating the Asian stereotype for passing out fortune cookies. They are from Fresno not China! Everyone knows real authentic Asian dessert is almond tofu. It even has real tofu in it! So, almond cookie no but almond tofu yes!o!
Fortune cookies were invented in America. What's wrong with eating Asian American food in an Asian American restaurant - or an Asian country restaurant for that matter?
It was like that one poster that had a green tongued Lin popping out of a fortune cookie. I thought that was hilarious and totally unracist.
That's about as racist as sambo spittin watermelon seeds while tap dancing for the cracker. I can't believe yuo're so calm about such a racist post! Our forefathers didn't break our backs making the railroads that made this country strong, so that people can say hey Asian American's contribution to American culture is a damn almond cookie!
I don't think that the proud successful Chinese restaurant food service people in this country are racist for serving fortune cookies.
Fortune cookies bring happiness, supposedly. I like the idea of Lin popping out of a cookie designed to bring happiness.
I would not have chastized that Chinese restaurant owner for serving you fortune cookies, Etane. I think you should go back and apologize to that owner. They're just trying to make a living, and fortune cookies are not a symbol of racism to Asian Americans.
If someone called me "fortune cookie", I'd proably laugh and say "Thank you" even if they were trying to insult me.
I love fortune cookies, and I as an Asian American would be proud to be associated with them. If it's a stereotype, it's a GOOD ONE.
I've never seen the Rockets Home Court introduction. Pretty nice. Check it out: http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/31/ArenaIntro012613mp4-2370010
Such good news for all Lin Rockets fans. Does anyone know rules for cameras at NBA games? Will I be ok with a telephoto, or do they just allow phone cams? Also, can I just post pics on blogger and it goes here with a link? 2/12! And the 1 hr after if it's not too crowded. I'm hearing you don't need special tix.
On tonight's game, have a good one. I'm out for work ...
as long as it is not a professional graded camera (those with long lens...kind). I took many pre/in/post game pics/videos and then post on personal blogs.
Hope Rockets had the flu shot. you can be contagious ~24 hours prior to symptoms.... so possible they had it and were contagious when they played rockets :-(
Jeremy Lin @JLin7 if you wanna support @jlinfoundation and get destroyed by me in wii, ping-pong and arcade bball, buy tickets here: tiny.cc/0ki7rw 2:31 PM - 8 Feb 13
Last year Lin was 2nd in the NBA in steals-blocks-charges taken/40 among starting point guards. This year he is 3rd.
People will try to claim Lin just "plays the passing lanes". Please disabuse them of their ludicrous stupidity.
When Lin plays with a disciplined defensive team, like the Knicks last year, he thrives even more, as his help defense is twice as good as his signature defensive stats. (I made up the twice as good part. I know his help defense is the best I've ever seen.)
Excellent info. Replies to the negative comments need to consist of information without opinion or hype. Just lay it out flat for all to see and walk away. Don't take the hate bait.
My bad, no flu, personal leave for harden couple games and it will answer a lot of my lingering question about Lins leadership on the team without harden, and really how dependent the team is on harden for offense, and how much his teammates trust his calls
Howard Chen @ho_chenCSN #RedNation: Where do u think the Rockets'll end up in their playoff chase? What seed & why? Explain. I read the best tweets on TV in-game! 1:36 PM - 8 Feb 13
I sure hope the whole crew of Lisanity can join him for this wonderful event: fields, novak, Jared, shump, and even tyson (even though still clearly remember what he said about JL).
I predicted that Rockets may be tied with Denver Nuggets in conference standing. kinda surprised that Trailblazers are fighting hard. I hope Rockets win this game. another showdown between Lillard and Jeremy. right now, I'm a "homeless" team fan, I can devote more time cheering solely for Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Denver~
DeleteDrive and Dish: We need to talk about Denver
Go Lin et all! Must win game!
ReplyDeleteI've been saying that Portland is the toughest matchup for the Rockets in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteThey have two fleet footed super athletic max contract forwards in Batum and Aldridge. Batum is the biggest Rocket killer in the NBA, more than even Lebron or Duncan. He's not a max contract player, but he explodes against the defenseless Houston forwards like a Hall of Famer.
Lin himself doesn't have anything to worry about from Damian Lillard on either end of the court. And the way the Rockets are playing, I'm not even truly worried about Lin's offensive production.
What worries me is that the minimum wage Houston frontcourt is so severely overmatched against Batum and Aldridge.
I do not think that the Rockets can win this game. I think they easily could be blown out of this one.
@KHuang,
DeleteI have never doubted your scouting report but what puzzles me most is that if the Blazers are such tough matchup for the Rockets, logically, they should be killing other teams easily. But we don't see that happens often; there are games which the Blazers had to fight till the very last second to win. Why?
Contrary to KHuang, I don't feel the Blazers are the toughest matchup for the Roxs. Although the Roxs lost twice in OT, they were up for the most part until things started to dwindle towards the latter of the 2nd half and in critical moments of the game. Those 2 games were played earlier in the season and the Roxs were still trying to figure things out. The Roxs offense weren't completely in sync, not that they are now but they're playing with an identity and seem to have some semblance of what it takes to be successful. As a result, the Roxs are near the top in offensive efficiency, pace, and field goal percentage as you all know. However, the Blazers are in the mid pack in defense so the Roxs will need to be wary of the Blazers length and athleticism as they will disrupt the passing lanes and block shots. Also, during those games the Blazers gave up a lot points in the paint to the Roxs. As mediocre as Asik is in the post, he can take advantage of Hickson, Aldridge, and Leonard in the block--the same goes for G. Smith, Patterson, and Morris if they try to work in the paint.
DeleteObviously, Aldridge is a great PF, just the kind of player the Roxs wished they have. He has an arsenal of moves posting up at the elbow and high block for a step back, spin around, or face up. He also runs a lot of high screens and give and go with Lillard, Batum, and Matthews so the Roxs need to switch, trap, and defend better and make it difficult for them to take the long 2s and mid-range jumpers. The Blazers are the highest, or one of the highest, in long 2s and mid-range shots attempted. JLin will have his hands full guarding Lillard on these high screens with Aldridge and Hickson. Parsons should be wary of Batum's jab step as he will likely take a step back for jumpers or 3s, especially when the game is tight down the stretch. As for Matthews, he's virtually the same as size as Harden. This guy can post you up, take you the basket, or shoot from the oustide so Harden will have his hands full as well. All in all, I believe the Rockets is a better team. Things have been looking promising lately so if the Roxs can keep up the good play, less the Heat's game, they should pull this one off. BTW, I thought the Roxs played as well as they can against the Heat. The Heat were just the better team with suffocating defense. Let's go Roxs!
One thing I would like to add though is that this game may be played with high intensity like a playoff game. Nevertheless, the Roxs and Blazers are fighting for a playoff spot.
DeleteAt the end of the day, it may just boil down as to who wants it more.
DeleteWatch out Lillard's 3's. Watch out Aldridge's floaters(15 ft) on that left side sweet spot. All rockets players should play defense. Harden is a major offense weapon and can't foul out,But to ask him just raise his hand to defend(Not like fouled in last Miami game) is not too much. 40% of the time, they won't make it. Those 3 pointers are not Durant(He is very tall). Please teammate comes over if the ball handler got double-teamed! Please make those FT.
DeleteI don't know much about basketball outside of Jeremy world but I thought ROX is OKC's play thing?
Deletejanelin7, it's Batum and Aldridge.
DeleteCompared to Houston's unathletic minimum wage forwards, they are overwhelmingly athletic. But compared to the average or above average forwards of most other teams, they're extremely manageable.
Jeremy Lin cannot help defend Batum and Aldridge because Lillard is cherry picking from the outside. Thus those two players, particularly Batum, run wild all game. Even if Lin could play help defense, it wouldn't solve the overwhelming athletic advantage Portland has at the forward positions.
I do hope that Racha is right about the Rockets being more able to handle the Blazers at this point in the season.
KHuang, I'm hoping too!
DeleteEtane, the Rockets are SERGE IBAKA's plaything!
DeleteYes enough of the small balls. I wanna see some big man action.
DeleteI've watched both games, and both were close...because of the refs. Don't get me wrong, Portland is a great team and I don't mind the Rox losing, but it's the way the games were lost. If it wasn't for the bad calls / no-calls, the Rox would've taken both games without even needing OT.
DeleteYes, I hold grudges against the refs, especially after Donaghy, still fuming.
Today I think they will break the 3pt NBA record!! YEAHHH!!:))
Delete[OT]
ReplyDeleteESPN Insider: Simulating the West playoff race
With Pau Gasol out, do the Lakers have a chance to reach the postseason?
Updated: February 7, 2013, 11:25 AM ET
By Kevin Pelton |ESPN Insider
As we approach the NBA's All-Star break, the playoff pictures should be clearing up. Instead, after the top two teams, the Western Conference races are as muddled as ever. With the help of simulating the remainder of the season a thousand times, let's take a look at what the numbers say about who will end up where when the music stops in April.
First-Second seeds
Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs
With the Los Angeles Clippers slumping, it has become a familiar two-team race for home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs, with San Antonio once again claiming the role of favorite. Oklahoma City actually has the slightly better point differential thus far (plus-8.8 points per game versus plus-8.5), but when we account for schedule, the Spurs move just ahead of the Thunder. Naturally, that means San Antonio has the easier slate the rest of the way. Add in the Spurs' current 1.5-game lead in the standings and they land the No. 1 seed in 63 percent of simulations.
Third-Sixth seeds
Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors
We're less than two months removed from the Nuggets being below .500, but they enter Thursday's nationally televised matchup with theChicago Bulls holding the fourth spot in the West and home-court advantage if the season ended today. The Nuggets have surged as their schedule has evened out, going 10-2 at home and 12-3 overall in January. Though a road-heavy slate early in the season will be completely back to even after Thursday, Denver still has a number of tasty matchups against the lesser Eastern Conference the rest of the way.
Might the Nuggets challenge the Clippers for third in the West? Probably not. For one, Chris Paul is sure to return from a bone bruise in his right kneecap at some point. In the interim, the Clippers aren't playing as poorly with Eric Bledsoe at the point as their recent three-game losing streak made it appear. Overall, the Clippers have been 3.6 points better than an average team with Bledsoe as a starter -- a mark that would still tie them for sixth in the league.
So the Clippers still win the division in most simulations (97.7 percent of the time) and finish third almost three-quarters of the time. The race for fourth and fifth is much more interesting. The Nuggets and Grizzlies are close to evenly matched, though that assumes Memphis pulls out of its current tailspin. As solid as last week's deal involving Rudy Gay may have looked on paper, it evidently has caused the Grizzlies to question themselves. That starts with coach Lionel Hollins, who has openly bemoaned the roster he's being asked to coach, but extends to the players as well. No less an authority than grit/grind inventor Tony Allen questioned his teammates' level of fight after their dispirited loss Wednesday in Atlanta.
It was overshadowed by Mark Jackson fouling to prevent the Houston Rockets from setting a single-game record for 3-pointers, but the Warriors suddenly have their own defensive issues after giving up a combined 130.2 points per 100 possessions in back-to-back losses at Houston and Oklahoma City. Those games erased the good feelings generated byAndrew Bogut's return to the lineup last weekend. A healthy Bogut may be able to lift the Warriors into the mix for fourth or fifth, but most likely they're set in the sixth spot.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSeventh-Eighth seeds
DeleteUtah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers
For the first time in weeks, the Lakers looked likely to make the playoffs after winning at Brooklyn Tuesday night. The Hollinger Playoff Odds give them a 47.4 percent shot of making the playoffs; my simulation is even more optimistic because it incorporates preseason Vegas lines, weighted about half as much as performance to date based on research by Insider's Neil Paine. The Lakers made it a full 57 percent of the time.
Just when the Lakers were starting to feel good about their chances, they found out they will be without Pau Gasol for an extended period. After an MRI Wednesday, the Lakers announced that Gasol has a torn plantar fascia. Such an injury usually carries a timetable of at least 3-4 weeks, and a league source told ESPNLA.com that the Lakers are expecting to be without Gasol for 4-6 weeks -- about half the remainder of the season.
That might not be as big a loss as it sounds. The SCHOENE projection system estimates that Gasol missing 15 games would cost the Lakers about one win the rest of the way. That still leaves them making the playoffs in slightly better than 50 percent of simulations. There's even an argument to be made the Lakers might be better off without the struggling Gasol. In the 13 games he has missed this season, including three that Dwight Howard also missed, the Lakers have rated 3.3 points above average, superior to their overall mark (plus-2.1 points per game). Their 5-8 record without Gasol is largely the product of playing nine of those 13 games on the road.
So if the Lakers make the playoffs, whom will they knock out? The Hollinger Odds say Utah on the basis of Houston's superior point differential -- including a 45-point Rockets win in Salt Lake City last week that skewed the recent numbers for both teams. Even taking that out, Houston has still outscored opponents by 2.0 points per game while the Jazz would have a plus-0.4 differential. Consider the Rockets the favorites to make up the 1.5 games that separate them in the standings and finish seventh.
Portland admirably continues to hang in the playoff race despite a point differential similar to the 18-28 Minnesota Timberwolves and 17-32 Toronto Raptors. If the Blazers are still even with or ahead of the Lakers after the two teams play the day after the trade deadline, then it will be time to start taking their playoff chances seriously.
[thrusting/ 虎扑]
I don't know after the Lakers lost last night if they still look likely to make the playoffs. Too much drama with D12, Kobe, and the Lakers. The worst thing you can have now is the lack of chemistry. It's bad of me, but I just want the Lakers to drop dead this season.
DeleteI just know that we can't face OKC in the first round. I know the Spurs are good but they are old so that wouldn't be a bad matchup for us. Anything that skips Denver and Thunders for us is good. In a perfect world Rockets would go to the finals against..... yes, New York Knicks! Tell me if that wouldn't an exciting playoffs. Surely it will be my most exciting playoffs and I would try to go to one of the game in NY. It would be a once in a lifetime experience!
DeleteYou never know, jp, the Roxs might just upset OKC as the Warriors upset the Mavs, 1st vs 8th, in the playoffs several years ago.
DeleteDwight: "Hopefully they'll start supporting me the way they need to.." <- Morey watching closely, of course.
DeleteLes Alexander might think Dwight Howard is the 2nd coming of Hakeem Olajuwon, but I'd warn Les that Dwight is no Hakeem.
DeleteDwight Howard has had fantastic seasons due to his athleticism, but he can't get past guys that he cannot physically overwhelm. Now that he's hurting, his lack of basketball skills really shows.
Dwight did tutor with Olajuwon, but he hasn't showed it much. Contrast that to Amare Stoudemire who really has become a wonderful post up player after Olajuwon's tutelage.
I am not convinced Dwight Howard can do a better job than Omer Asik. I'm not even sure if playing Dwight Howard alongside Asik would truly even help the Rockets win more.
Let's hope Lillard will not explode in this game. Or, let's hope Lin explodes even greater lol.
ReplyDeleteIf we win, we will have 4 games above .500 (28-24), Portland will drop to .500 (25-25).
ReplyDeleteIf we lose, Portland will own the tiebreaker, they will also take the 8th spot.
This is how important this game is.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYou know what. After watching so many games up to this point of the season. I'm no longer worried about our opposition anymore but somehow ended up having to worry about Lin's teammates, coaches, and the refs instead.
ReplyDeleteI know enough what greatness Lin is capable of doing and I have full faith in him just as Lin have full faith in God. Unfortunately can't say the same for everything else
I agree. Up to this point, I don't really care who the opponent is, rather how much effort the Roxs are going to put forth each and every game and if they can stick to their uptempo style.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteJeremy Lin is now a complete basketball player.
DeleteBefore the season, I wrote that Kevin McHale would beat Lin into becoming a championship level point guard. Here we are, though McHale's coaching sure looks ugly a lot of the time.
I didn't say McHale was going to be nice about whipping Lin into shape either.
JLin post-shootaround - 2/8/13
ReplyDeleteMcHale
JLin talks about being focused. Let just hope it's focus and not pressure and just stay loose. The Roxs really need this win though! The good thing is the Lakers lost last night--the Roxs need some breathing room.
DeleteJLin also talked about getting stops. YES, that's what the Roxs are in dire need of, STOPS. Lets see some STOPS tonight.
DeleteFans should bring stop signs with them to TC. LOL
Deleteyeah, for real, or make a sign with a letter D followed by a fence pix. Seen that one before.
Deleteis mchale hating life or what? jeez... just a very sour guy.
DeleteMcHell doesn't understand why his team is so inconsistent. Look in da F*cking Mirror! Then, look at that guy sitting right next to you on the bench!
DeleteNo drama in the forum today? I'll be watching me some Jon Stewart then.
ReplyDeleteEtane, make some drama dude!
Delete"Nobody knows . . .
Deletethe trouble I've seen . . .
Nobody knows . . .
but Etane and Racha and Khuang and JLinfan#1 and Michael Terry and Cara and Kenoshi and janeLin7 and and and . . ."
lol, and the list goes on and on...
DeleteOK, ENOUGH!!!!
Deletepillow fight!!!
Yo mama so fat when she gets on the weigh it says "to be continued".
DeleteTry the "yo mama wears army boots" thing, Etane.
DeleteKhuang's mama so fat, when kids yell for Koolaid, Khuang's mama bust through the wall with a pitcher of Koolaid.
DeleteI actually suck in talking smack, I'll leave that to willydilly, just kidding willy. I rather watch then take part, LOL.
DeleteRacha's mama so black, when she goes to night school, the teacher marks her absent.
DeleteEtane's mama is so fat that when she wears a yellow raincoat, people yell "taxi!" - lol, I googled it.
DeleteLOL, Racha's mama so far, her lunch pail is a food truck.
DeleteNah, your mama so fat, she had to go to Sea World to get baptized.
DeleteHey I am offended. I draw the line at fish jokes!
DeleteOk sorry dude, no more.
DeleteSike. Your mama so wide, when she rolls over, she's in a different zip code.
DeleteLOL, I thought you sounded "fishy". I wave the white flag.
DeleteJeremy Lin @JLin7
ReplyDeleteMake sure you vote for @chandlerparsons (aka justin bieber aka jimmy neutron) to start in the #BBVARisingStars game at http://on.nba.com/Yid01X
1:42 AM - 9 Feb 13
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazer game preview
ReplyDeleteThe Blazers have better individual match up wise, but I still think the Roxs are better as a whole.
DeleteAs this article also indicates, the Blazers has one of the worse bench in the NBA. Lets force the Blazers starters to play major minutes and put them on their heels early and hope they tire out. The Roxs really need to pounce early in this game.
DeleteHickory-High: On Harden and Ginobili
ReplyDeleteThe major difference between Harden and Ginobili is Ginobili plays DEFENSE, LOL.
DeleteGinobili is a better flopper lol
DeleteThe Houston Rockets could retire Yao Ming's jersey the first home game after the All Star Game. He may be one of the judges in the All Star Slam Dunk contest.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNice, good to know. Yao was my boi, now it's JLin of course.
DeleteConcussions in the NBA
ReplyDelete2:03, 2:22 - JLin
HoopIdea: Reduce head injuries
Why not wear helmets yo? D12 wore shoulder pads for football last night. It was the first time used in the NBA.
Delete[B/R] The Truth Behind NBA Chemistry: Who Has It?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIt's not a shock the Heat are at the top the way they play defense--they're in lockstep. Wow, the Roxs are 16th and 23rd. The PF position is really an issue as it seems. We need to solidify the 4. I wish the Roxs can experiment with Terrence Jones or even DMo at the PF position. But at this point, the games are too critical to be experimenting.
DeleteHoward Chen @ho_chenCSN
ReplyDeleteMcHale says he thinks Delfino should be able to go tonight. Delfino took part in shootaround. #RedNation
9:04 AM - 8 Feb 13
Delfino who? We got James Anderson.
DeleteJonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
ReplyDeleteRockets at Warrirors on Tue picked up by NBA-TV. Should be interesting after 23 3s, 1 flagrant foul and 2 late intentional fouls last time.
10:54 AM - 8 Feb 13
Hiren Joshi @htown747
Delete#Rockets #Warriors has gained national curiosity. 2/12 NBA TV 3/8 ESPN 3/17 CSN-HOU (maybe we have a deal by then.. Emphasize MAYBE)
11:37 AM - 8 Feb 13
The Height of Wonkery: An In-Depth Look at the NBA With the Most Innovative Technology Available
ReplyDeleteThis writer getting into the weeds. I'm getting a headache reading it.
Delete“The Rockets average a league-high 29 drives per game, with STATS defining “drive” as any time a player dribbles the ball from at least 20 feet away from the basket into an area within 10 feet of the rim. Drives do not include fast breaks, meaning transition chances don’t inflate the insane numbers Houston and Denver are putting up.
DeleteThe average team “drives” about 20 times per game
Harden averages nine drives per game, which is fourth among players whose teams have the cameras. The top four: Tony Parker (10.8), Rajon Rondo (10.1), Russell Westbrook (9.3), and Jrue Holiday (9.2).
Houston is scoring 1.51 points per possession on trips in which he drives at any time in the shot clock. That is easily the highest mark among all players in the 15-team database with more than a token number of drives. It is a mammoth number; keep in mind, teams average just about one point per possession overall. Harden has drawn a foul on one-third of his drives, which is among the highest numbers in the data set, and sort of amazing when you think about it.
Jeremy Lin is averaging 8.1 drives per game, ninth among all players, and even though he’s having a disappointing season, the Rockets are scoring 1.32 points per possession when Lin drives — about what the Spurs have scored on Parker drive possessions.”
Interesting info. I wish I had that actual full numbers to look at. Seems Jlin is doing well but of course the insult had to be thrown in there ( having a disappointing season). What we don't know is how 1.32 points per possession ranks.
poorly written article IMHO. Should have been more charts and graphs of the actual data and not so much jabber and opinion.
Stupid. A disappointing season? Idiot. Maybe he's been put in a disappointing position most of the season, but isn't it remarkable how he always seems to pop up in these stats that demonstrate elite upside?
DeleteLin's 3 point shot will come. You know what Lin has that other PG guards can never hope to acquire through practice? Lin's elite size and athleticism.
Everyone in the world understands this normally, but not when it comes to Lin. For the last three season no one has felt the need to ALWAYS qualify a good comment about, for example John Wall, with a negative. They always ASSUME the elite athleticism will pay off in the end. They don't qualify it because they love elite athleticism.
Why doesn't anyone love Lin's elite athleticism? Isn't it awfully curious that Lin's isolation numbers last year and his drive numbers this year are so spectacular even though he's only an average dribbler? He gets by anyone anytime.
I look forward to when we can all have designer babies with high IQs so I never have to listen to read stupid people writing sports journalism ever again.
Yeah, I didn't like the "disappointing" usage as well.
DeleteMichael Terry and Racha, that disappointing "disappointing" description of Lin is why I HATE the racist American media.
DeleteThese racist dumb journalists have to "balance" anything positive they write about an Asian with a negative comment. And viewers subconsciously learn how to bash Asians from reading such yucky articles.
I have put a block on following the racist media, so my indignancy toward anti-Asian racism in the media is definitely greater than that of most people.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNo one is more of an anti racist than me. Last time I went to a Chinese restaurant, I chewed out the owner who was obviously perpetuating the Asian stereotype for passing out fortune cookies. They are from Fresno not China! Everyone knows real authentic Asian dessert is almond tofu. It even has real tofu in it! So, almond cookie no but almond tofu yes!o!
DeleteBut, but, but . . .
DeleteI LIKE fortune cookies.
Fortune cookies were invented in America. What's wrong with eating Asian American food in an Asian American restaurant - or an Asian country restaurant for that matter?
It was like that one poster that had a green tongued Lin popping out of a fortune cookie. I thought that was hilarious and totally unracist.
That's about as racist as sambo spittin watermelon seeds while tap dancing for the cracker. I can't believe yuo're so calm about such a racist post! Our forefathers didn't break our backs making the railroads that made this country strong, so that people can say hey Asian American's contribution to American culture is a damn almond cookie!
DeleteI don't think that the proud successful Chinese restaurant food service people in this country are racist for serving fortune cookies.
DeleteFortune cookies bring happiness, supposedly. I like the idea of Lin popping out of a cookie designed to bring happiness.
I would not have chastized that Chinese restaurant owner for serving you fortune cookies, Etane. I think you should go back and apologize to that owner. They're just trying to make a living, and fortune cookies are not a symbol of racism to Asian Americans.
If someone called me "fortune cookie", I'd proably laugh and say "Thank you" even if they were trying to insult me.
I love fortune cookies, and I as an Asian American would be proud to be associated with them. If it's a stereotype, it's a GOOD ONE.
Young man, you've completely forgotten where you came from!
DeleteThe Asian American Male didn't travel thousands of miles to end up serving or eating chalky stale almond flavor cookie!
We can here for Oreos! The BLACK cookie sheets held together with white filling is too good for yellow people? Stand up for yourself damnit!
So, take a big bite of the real AMerican dream and wash it down with a big gulp of WHITE milk because damnit we deserve better!
But but but Etane, I'm FROM America.
DeleteI was born and raised here. I've been to Asia like twice in my life.
I LIKE the taste of fortune cookies, especially with hot tea.
I can't digest milk, plus I eat Oreos whole instead of dividing them.
I adore fortune cookies and the wonderful Asian American restauranteurs that save them.
wait via, I don't get it... here http://www.nba.com/nbatv/fannight/ it says that it'll be the heat game?
ReplyDeleteit is on nba tv 10:30pm after heats game.
DeleteI've never seen the Rockets Home Court introduction. Pretty nice. Check it out: http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/01/31/ArenaIntro012613mp4-2370010
ReplyDeleteI think it's a nice intro but I like the NEW AGE INTRO one better
DeleteSuch good news for all Lin Rockets fans. Does anyone know rules for cameras at NBA games? Will I be ok with a telephoto, or do they just allow phone cams? Also, can I just post pics on blogger and it goes here with a link? 2/12! And the 1 hr after if it's not too crowded. I'm hearing you don't need special tix.
ReplyDeleteOn tonight's game, have a good one. I'm out for work ...
Earlier ... youz guys get it ON! (fightclub)
sorry, meant to reply to the NBA/ESPN picks for Rockets.
DeleteYes, indeed. Good luck to JLin in the skills challenge. As for camera rules, have no idea. Sorry cant help.
Deleteas long as it is not a professional graded camera (those with long lens...kind). I took many pre/in/post game pics/videos and then post on personal blogs.
DeleteThank you snowywbl.
DeleteSkills Competition participants dating back to 02-03
ReplyDeleteJLin will win it!
Delete@Racha~ Of course! ^^
Delete---
2012 All-Star Skills Challenge - Tony Parker [Defending Champion]
The Dissection Of Shot Selection: Lessons Learned
ReplyDeleteInteresting article.
DeleteAnother dumbass racist article.
Delete"Saving James Harden and Omer Asik, the Rockets’ roster has no talent in the offensive or defensive extremes".
Uh huh.
Lin is among the league leaders in steals this season. He also gets game planned against more than any Rockets player. And that's not "extreme?"
I keep saying that I hate the American media's racist twisting of facts when it comes to Asian American men, specifically Jeremy Lin.
@Khuang - Yeah, I didn't agree with the no talent part also.
DeleteOff The Dribble: The Rockets Catch Fire
ReplyDeleteMiami Heat dealing with flu
ReplyDeleteOh snap, if they were gonna catch it anyways, should've done it sooner!
Yeah, I know right.
DeleteHope Rockets had the flu shot. you can be contagious ~24 hours prior to symptoms.... so possible they had it and were contagious when they played rockets :-(
DeleteAre Houston Rockets Too Dependant on James Harden
ReplyDeleteFinally someone subtly calling McHale out, from B/R nonetheless.
Shaqtin' A Fool | Vol. 2, Episode 12 | February 8, 2013
ReplyDeleteJohn Wall, LOL, ala Greg Smith tying shoes.
DeleteSpeaking of Greg and shoes...
DeleteLOL.
DeleteJLin on SportsTalk 790
ReplyDeleteGotta see JLin vs Morey on ping pong. Hope we can get some clips of it.
DeleteJeremy Lin @JLin7
Deleteif you wanna support @jlinfoundation and get destroyed by me in wii, ping-pong and arcade bball, buy tickets here: tiny.cc/0ki7rw
2:31 PM - 8 Feb 13
nah, wii? I wanna destroy him in Tekken..
DeleteWe will win this one! Jeremy will have a really good game! :D
ReplyDeleteRandom thought: who would like to see Harden out with flu for couple games and see what Jlin bring to the table? After All-star that is...
ReplyDeleteHarden seems aiight of late. I'd like to see Sampson and McHell miss the game bus.
DeleteAs much as I would love to see another game with JLin the first option I do not wish the Flu on anyone.
DeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteWhen you hear someone claim Lin is mediocre at defense, point them here:
http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=%25&type=pm&posi=PG&yr=2013&gp=30&mins=25
And tell them to sort on the DEF column.
Last year Lin was 2nd in the NBA in steals-blocks-charges taken/40 among starting point guards. This year he is 3rd.
People will try to claim Lin just "plays the passing lanes". Please disabuse them of their ludicrous stupidity.
When Lin plays with a disciplined defensive team, like the Knicks last year, he thrives even more, as his help defense is twice as good as his signature defensive stats. (I made up the twice as good part. I know his help defense is the best I've ever seen.)
Excellent info. Replies to the negative comments need to consist of information without opinion or hype. Just lay it out flat for all to see and walk away. Don't take the hate bait.
DeleteThanks @MT :)
DeleteGood stuff, thanks.
DeleteAgree harden is coming along nicely off late and even outplayed Lebron in the 4 th quarter. But I still wonder what's a harden less rockets looks like
ReplyDeleteA Hardenless Rockets team looks like the Linplosion 38 point effort against the Spurs.
DeleteJeremy Linverson.
My bad, no flu, personal leave for harden couple games and it will answer a lot of my lingering question about Lins leadership on the team without harden, and really how dependent the team is on harden for offense, and how much his teammates trust his calls
ReplyDeleteHoward Chen @ho_chenCSN
ReplyDelete#RedNation: Where do u think the Rockets'll end up in their playoff chase? What seed & why? Explain. I read the best tweets on TV in-game!
1:36 PM - 8 Feb 13
Hawks say no to Josh Smith max extension in meeting w/his reps, listening league wide for offers
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin Foundation Launch Party...
ReplyDeleteah...if only I can be there, too.
I sure hope the whole crew of Lisanity can join him for this wonderful event: fields, novak, Jared, shump, and even tyson (even though still clearly remember what he said about JL).
Coach Stotts: "I’m not going to say it’s going to be a playoff atmosphere, but…I think both teams will rachet it up a little bit.”
ReplyDelete[Stotts said Ronnie Price (right ankle) will play tonight. Sasha Pavlovic (left foot) will be inactive.]
Batum: "I think I finally found something that will save my life." [Laughs]
Delete[He tested the brace at Blazers shootaround today and while it didn't cure his wrist issues, he said it helped dramatically.]
Bid for 2 box seat tickets @Staples Center - February 13 vs Clippers
ReplyDeleteHi Via, What happend to the sports lemon link you gave last time, have they been cracked down ? Bah! No NBA matches at all today.
ReplyDelete@lam~ Yeah. TRY THIS. :)
DeleteWorks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
DeleteYou're welcome! You're welcome! You're welcome! ^^
Deletei feel like harden, asik, and lin getting hit with a lot of contact this game without any calls
ReplyDelete