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The Rockets have been up and down in the first half of the season. But they're still in the playoff picture. They are anticipating a grind towards the postseason as they begin the season's second half Wednesday against Seattle.

Records: Houston (22-19), Seattle (9-32)
When: Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Where: KeyArena (Seattle)
TV/Radio/Spanish Radio: FSN Houston / SportsRadio 610 AM / 850 AM in Spanish

Injury Update: G Steve Francis (bi-lateral quadricep tendinitis) is out for the Rockets; C Robert Swift (left knee contusion) is out for the Sonics.

Sonics Update: The Sonics are struggling with a young lineup. With Monday's setback to Houston, Seattle dropped a franchise record 11th straight game. Kevin Durant has at least been a bright spot. The first-year sensation is the leading candidate for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.

Projected Starting Lineup:
ROCKETS

G Rafer Alston 11.4 3.2
G Luther Head 8.0 1.8
F Shane Battier 8.4 4.9
F Chuck Hayes 3.4 6.4
C Yao Ming 22.1 10.5

SONICS
G Earl Watson 6.8 9.6
G Kevin Durant 19.8 4.3
F Jeff Green 8.8 4.9
F Nick Collison 9.3 8.8
C Kurt Thomas 6.8 9.6

Let's extend Seattle's losing streak. That's all. We need to win this game.

i just love home and home games

we need to extend our winning steak, i hope adelman has made some adjustments to the team, cause seattle will be tougher at the key arena than at toyota center

I think the team will give more effort this game being on the road. This team for some just gives more effort out on the road than at home and it's been like that for years.

A.J. wrote:i just love home and home games

we need to extend our winning steak, i hope adelman has made some adjustments to the team, cause seattle will be tougher at the key arena than at toyota center

I actually disagree. I think our squad will be more pumped up for a night game on the road instead of an afternoon game in an empty home arena. At least I sure hope so...

King Roosk wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I actually disagree. I think our squad will be more pumped up for a night game on the road instead of an afternoon game in an empty home arena. At least I sure hope so...

i dunno about that, with the way seattle are playing right now, i expect less people watching in their arena.
anyways, this team must have that killer instinct. instinct to annihilate and to demolish lesser opponents!

dontel wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



i dunno about that, with the way seattle are playing right now, i expect less people watching in their arena.
anyways, this team must have that killer instinct. instinct to annihilate and to demolish lesser opponents!

This is a very valid point.

Sonics proved in that first half they could get out in transition and hurt us especially Jeff Green. If Durant gets into it and Wilcox we could be in for a long night.

We need to come out with that defensive intensity we had in the second half of the last game and just need to execute. On the road we seem to that better with this team, nothing is taken for granted. Yao has to have another big game and I'm wondering how McGrady will play when inserted into the starting lineup (assuming that of course).

Again we can not let our guard down, which maybe the first game being so close was a blessing in disguise and we come out with more energy. Come out with a defensive intensity, stop the fast break, force them to shoot contested perimeter jumpers and just execute on the offensive end and we have a good chance to win the game.

If you don't see the animation for this picture, something is wrong:

Another great creation from my man Thumbboy

Hahahah good work.

Of course we should win this game, 23-29 no other way. Just make shoots and DO NOT allow them to do what they did in Houston. They took every shoot they wanted, it cannot happen.

I'd like to see Tracy playin' about 35 minutes and scorin' 25 pts

according to the recent chron.com article
the reason Wells is starting against Seattle instead of Head is because Durant is playing SG
Battier will be on Durant and you definitely don't want Head guarding Green

MaxRider wrote:according to the recent chron.com article
the reason Wells is starting against Seattle instead of Head is because Durant is playing SG
Battier will be on Durant and you definitely don't want Head guarding Green

Green would have abused Head. Simply to strong for Head to handle.

When is T-Mac gonna start again?

giordunk wrote:When is T-Mac gonna start again?

He said he was 75% and he will still come off the bench to get into right rythm. He wants to be healthly to be able to play 35-40 minutes. I think it will come in a couple of games.

Sonics fan here.

Here's to another good game. But maybe a different result?

Good luck guys.

seafan wrote:Sonics fan here.

Here's to another good game. But maybe a different result?

Good luck guys.

Hi and let's hope not.

Rockets played really bad on Monday. Defensivly it was awful game and the offense didn't work well either so I expect Rockets to play a lot better. McGrady played 'normal' I mean he was more as a scorer in the 2nd half, in the first he was probably testin' himself.

BTW, it's tough to be Sonics' fan, isn't it?

McTracy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

BTW, it's tough to be Sonics' fan, isn't it?

Yup. Not knowing if your team will be there longterm, while going through some really brutal games is not all that much fun.

BTW:
Here's the Sonics game thread.
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=753247

Good game fellas.

sticky??

Yup. Not knowing if your team will be there longterm, while going through some really brutal games is not all that much fun.

What he said basically. I knew this was going to be total rebuild. I don't care about losing all that much as long we play hard. Durant and Green have been the only bright spots.

Tough game here b/c we just played em. Home and homes are always tough regardless of competition. We aren't that good of a team so I don't know what to expect tonight. We have let quite a few games slip through our hands this season...games which will come back to haunt us in March.

A consistently high energy level tonight will probably lead us to a win. But this team's energy level is up and down. Alston needs to play better. Like to see Head and Brooks get more run with McGrady back. Winnable game and one we should but we have to play well tonight in all aspects.