Game Thread: Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder @5:30pm PT

[Guy986]

Didn't see this game, watched Jennings vs Evans instead. lol

[Iggyemu]

Good win. Big hustle plays won us this one. Awful free throw shooting but some big baskets by Ariza, Hayes and Anderson to hold off a good Thunder team.

[Virus4762]

5th in the league with the hardest schedule through January?

I knew we wouldn't nut up and feel sorry for ourselves but this is pretty impressive.. What happens when the schedule finally gets easier?

5th in the West not in the league

[Unsung]

How do you guys do it? Rick Adelman must be a **** genius. He actually my favorite coach so I do follow Rocket games quite often. There really is no one on paper beside T-mac and Yao currently that can give this team their current record and 5th seed in the west. You guys probably won't win the championship this year unless T-Mac and Yao are back and healthy but boy can't say how happy I am for the Rockets. BTW why did u guys let go off Von Wafer?

[Rendezvous]

Didn't see this game, watched Jennings vs Evans instead. lol

I wouldnt blame you. i'd watch the top rookies going head to head too!

[MaxRider]

... no playing time for T-Mac --> Ariza suspension
... not enough playing time for T-Mac --> Budinger sprained ankle
...

[TMACFORMVP]

Looks like Budingers sprained ankle will cause him to miss at least 2 weeks.

[Teckon]

... no playing time for T-Mac --> Ariza suspension
... not enough playing time for T-Mac --> Budinger sprained ankle
...

Adelman learnt from Chris Webber's incident to be careful with Tmac. Webber himself is fully supporting Adelman's way of handling Tmac on NBA TV.

No point having Tmac play major minutes now and get injured in a couple of months time when he is needed in April to secure the playoff off or for the playoff. Tmac seem to progress a little by a little in the 7 min each game. Budinger's injury might open up a few more minutes for him.

BTW, i find it ironic that Rockets were relatively injury free in first 20 games (with only Scola's eye scratch being the significant issue) when Tmac is sitting. The moment he is back playing, we have Landry and Budinger injured. Jinx? Hope not.

[rocketsballin]

... no playing time for T-Mac --> Ariza suspension
... not enough playing time for T-Mac --> Budinger sprained ankle
...

Adelman learnt from Chris Webber's incident to be careful with Tmac. Webber himself is fully supporting Adelman's way of handling Tmac on NBA TV.

No point having Tmac play major minutes now and get injured in a couple of months time when he is needed in April to secure the playoff off or for the playoff. Tmac seem to progress a little by a little in the 7 min each game. Budinger's injury might open up a few more minutes for him.

BTW, i find it ironic that Rockets were relatively injury free in first 20 games (with only Scola's eye scratch being the significant issue) when Tmac is sitting. The moment he is back playing, we have Landry and Budinger injured. Jinx? Hope not.

ya i'm all for playin tmac, and i do believe he can make a comeback. its much better to have him play few minutes then to give him heavy minutes right away. its already a risk not trading tmac, knowing he can be a bust this year. the team is doing better than expected, and the way they're playing, doesnt look like they fall out of playoff contention and even fall below 8th seed. im all for playing tmac but he HAS TO ease his way into the rotation. the way his playing time is being handled now is perfect .

kinda **** up how he starts playing and team gets injuries, but nah we were bound to get some injuries. barely anyone plays 82 games. 70+ games is healthy to me, and so far most of the regular rotation players are looking like they'll play that many games. could be seeing more brooks/lowry in the backcourt.