GDT: Game 7, Rockets @ Pacers

[Grang33r]

Houston Rockets [1-6] @ Indiana Pacers [3-3]
| Friday, November 12, 2010 | Indianapolis, Indiana| Conseco Fieldhouse| 7:00 pm ET |
| TV: FSIN | Radio: WIBC 93.3



ALMOST PERFECT

In case you missed it, last time out, Pacers made 20 shots in a row in the 3rd quarter in a route over the Denver Nuggets.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdXSVjlo7GI[/youtube]

GAME PREVIEW

Just days ago, the Houston Rockets discussed the idea of increasing Yao Ming’s(notes) minutes. That plan appears to have hit a snag.

Yao’s status is uncertain for Friday night, when the Rockets visit an Indiana Pacers team coming off a historic shooting performance.

The 7-foot-6 Yao played the opening 6:14 of Wednesday’s 98-91 loss to Washington before straining a tendon in his left leg. He grabbed one rebound and was held without a point for the first time since Nov. 5, 2002—his fourth NBA game.

Yao was playing in his fifth game after sitting out the entire 2009-10 season while recovering from surgery to repair his broken left foot. Houston (1-6) has been putting strict limits on Yao’s minutes in an attempt to keep the injury-plagued star healthy for a full season, but there had been talk of easing up on those restrictions.

Unable to lean on Yao - the team’s leading scorer in each of his last three seasons - Kevin Martin(notes) and Luis Scola(notes) are shouldering more of the offense for the Rockets, losers of four straight to Indiana (3-3).

Rest of Game preview- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010111211

TEAM REPORTS

Rockets

The Rockets were so encouraged by Yao Ming's progress they had begun talking about changing the limitations on his playing time. Those conversations can be safely considered on hold.

Yao limped off the floor Wednesday with strained tendons in his left ankle and is expected to miss a week. The Rockets had considered it possible that he would return to the game. Rick Adelman had been told Yao was going to be re-taped. Yao said the injury is not in the same area as his stress fractures and surgery.

Yao, however, seemed worried. And even if the injury turns out to be minor, it reminded everyone of the Rockets' problems with Yao's on-again, off-again status.

Though Yao was not a part of the medical team's discussions about his playing time, he did think playing now more than a half-game and just half the games when in a back-to-back made it difficult for the Rockets to build continuity needed to defend and finish better.

"The team needs to play consistently," Yao said. "That means you need a consistent lineup. A guy who is a starting center being on and off, on and off, I think that's not good for a team. That's why I think playing back-to-back for me and for teammates is very important."

Rest of report- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/hou/report

Pacers

What went unnoticed in the Pacers' 31-point rout of the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday was the return of Brandon Rush to the lineup.

Rush, who was suspended for the first five games for failing his drug test three times, came off the bench to score 16 points and grab seven rebounds in 30 minutes.

"Felt pretty good out there," Rush said. "I got up and down the floor without getting too winded. I didn't know what to expect of myself when returning to the game."

Rush is hoping to carry over his success from the end of last season to this season. He averaged more than 11 points a game in the final 21 games of 2009-10.

"If you look at Brandon's last four months of last year and how he hard he worked this summer, he really worked on his attack game," coach Jim O'Brien said. "That's the difference. Having a guy like that is key."

O'Brien thought about starting Rush over Mike Dunleavy, who had been struggling, in the starting lineup but decided against it because he likes how the starting unit has played together. Dunleavy made the decision look good by scoring 31 points in just 24 minutes against Denver.

Rest of report- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/ind/report

COACHES

Vs.

Rick Adelman became the 11th head coach in Rockets history on May 23, 2007, returning to the bench after a season away from the NBA. In his two seasons with the Rockets, Adelman’s winning percentage of .659 (108-56) stands as the highest in franchise history. Overall, Adelman owns a career record of 860-537 (.616) in 18 NBA seasons as a head coach with the Portland Trail Blazers (1988-94), Golden State Warriors (1995-97), Sacramento Kings (1998-2006) and Houston Rockets (2007-09).

Jim O’Brien has 30 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. Most recently, he served as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2004-2005 season. The Philadelphia native guided the 76ers to the playoffs with a 43-39 record, a 10 win improvement from the previous season.

Source- nba.com

STARTERS



Rockets


Martin 12 - Smith 13 - Battier 31 - Scola 4 - Ming 11

Pacers


Collison 2 - Dunleavy 17 - Granger 33 - McRoberts 32 - Hibbert 55

RESERVES



Rockets


Budinger 10 - Lee 5 - Hill 27

Pacers


Ford 5 - Hansbrough 50 - Rush 25 - George 24

TEAM LEADERS



Rockets

Points- Martin 24.1ppg, Scola 22.3, Ming 10.2
Assists- Smith 3.6apg
Rebounds- Scola 11.4rpg, Jeffries 6.6

Pacers

Points- Granger 21ppg, Collison 16.7, Rush 16, Hibbert 15.8
Assists- Collison 4.7apg, Hibbert 3.8
Rebounds- Hibbert 9.3rpg, Rush 7, McRoberts 6.3

INJURY REPORT

Aaron Brooks - (sprained his left ankle) is expected to miss four to six weeks with the first serious injury of his career, likely keeping him out at least until Dec. 7.

Link- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... 10-nba-hou

KEY MATCH UP



Roy Hibbert vs. Yao Ming



LAST SEASON

The Pacers beat the Rockets in both meetings last season.

At Houston 115-125
Vs. Houston 133-103

REMEMBER THIS?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTu1l_UxslA[/youtube]

10 BEFORE THE TIP



For last second news and notes straight from the Arena, check this out about 30 minutes prior to tip-off.

NBA.com has a reporter in every arena, scouring the locker rooms and hitting press row for all the latest news, notes and anecdotes leading up to tipoff. Ten Before Tip is your source for lineup scratches, injury updates and all last-minute info that could affect the outcome of the game. Every night, before every game, NBA.com’s writers will be filing short TBT blog posts directly from the arena, covering the latest storylines to keep you fully informed.

10 Before the Tip link- http://tbt.blogs.nba.com/

TRADITION

[Indy2thaWindy]

Yao Ming is out. I think Chuck Hayes will start. Hibbert triple-double waiting to happen I hope Rush starts tho. K-Mart always kills us by getting to the line and if Dunleavy is guarding him he could get Roy into foul trouble.

[Grang33r]

Yao Ming is out. I think Chuck Hayes will start. Hibbert triple-double waiting to happen I hope Rush starts tho. K-Mart always kills us by getting to the line and if Dunleavy is guarding him he could get Roy into foul trouble.

My bad. I went by their last game box score. Sorry. I'll change it tomorrow, out of time for tonight. lol

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

I like Rush on Kevin Martin. Scola is going to be a load for JMac and Hans, but as long as we don't let anyone else beat us we should have a good chance to win. That, and carrying over the ball movement from the Denver game are my keys to this game.

[Miller4ever]

Yao Ming is out. I think Chuck Hayes will start. Hibbert triple-double waiting to happen I hope Rush starts tho. K-Mart always kills us by getting to the line and if Dunleavy is guarding him he could get Roy into foul trouble.

Don't underestimate Hayes' defense.

[Indy2thaWindy]

I'm not, but I do expect Hibbert to score at least 10 points. There is no way Hayes will be able to stop Hibbert from dropping ten assists tho, and Hibbert should be able to grab 10 boards with Houston's short front court, even tho they can outrebound almost anybody.

I think Hibbert gets 15pts/11rebs/7assts/4blks. DC is gonna go crazy on Ish Smith. Smith is fast but no way he can stop Darren.

[Miller4ever]

I agree. We have a REAL opportunity here to make another statement against a Western Conference team.

[jowglenn]

I'm not, but I do expect Hibbert to score at least 10 points. There is no way Hayes will be able to stop Hibbert from dropping ten assists tho, and Hibbert should be able to grab 10 boards with Houston's short front court, even tho they can outrebound almost anybody.

I think Hibbert gets 15pts/11rebs/7assts/4blks. DC is gonna go crazy on Ish Smith. Smith is fast but no way he can stop Darren.

There is some logic there. But be aware that Hibbert could get himself in foul trouble - Martin is great at drawing fouls when he drives. Scola is pretty decent at it too. Fortunately Chuck Hayes isn't, so as long as we have someone to contain Martin, Hibbert can stay out of foul trouble. Gives credence to the idea of starting Rush.

But do not underestimate Chuck Hayes!!! He is a great defender and a decent rebounder, even though he's only like 6-6. In fact, I think he'd be a great, GREAT target for us in the offseason. A real defensive-oriented guy, can rebound, and does the dirty work well. Can play C behind Hibbert in short spurts, but mainly would be great next to him.

Our real hope for breaking this game open has got to be the PG matchup. Houston is starting some guy named Ishmael Smith, since Brooks went down with injury. Kyle Lowry did come back in their last game off the bench, but it was from an injury I believe, so he might not be all back yet. He can be a dangerous point guard defender.

[Gremz]

Yao Ming is out. I think Chuck Hayes will start. Hibbert triple-double waiting to happen I hope Rush starts tho. K-Mart always kills us by getting to the line and if Dunleavy is guarding him he could get Roy into foul trouble.

Don't underestimate Hayes' defense.

I really don't, but I just don't see a way in which Hibbert should struggle to make plays on the offensive end when faced with a Hayes/Miller combo.

Not specifically scoring himself (mind you, if he positions himself well neither should touch that deep post hook), but he should be able to manufacture something, at least I hope so.

[Miller4ever]

I think Hibbert can have a big game, I just don't think we should take anything for granted.

Any team coached by Rick Adelman is rarely put away easily.

[Solid]

I'm interested in our young 4s play against Scola.

He's 6' 9" 230lbs
22pts. and 11r.
Good post moves,
not extremely athletic but clearly effective.

I would think Tyler a good physical match-up,
But we'll likely see more of Josh on him.
It should be a good nights work for them.

[Cru Thik]

Nice game threads Pacer fans. We tried to pickup your idea for our 76ers threads but we had a bunch of posters bitch and complained until they outlawed pics of females in game threds. How pathetic is that a bunch of guys on a internet forum bitching about hot chicks.

[Starkiller]

Nice game threads Pacer fans. We tried to pickup your idea for our 76ers threads but we had a bunch of posters bitch and complained until they outlawed pics of females in game threds. How pathetic is that a bunch of guys on a internet forum bitching about hot chicks.

I don't bitch about it, I just be a little more careful while browing at work.

[dennis_mora91]

Today we must be carefull with Luis Scola, he is very inteligent on the floor and will do great game.

[Guy986]

Who are the commentators for the Pacers? They need to check their facts better on the opposing team.

"Luis Scola was drafted by the Spurs. He mostly sat on the bench for them."
Uhhh Scola never played for the Spurs.

"Ish Smith is more of a scorer."
No he's not. He cant score. He's primarily a passer.

[Reginald Wayne]

Pacers on a nice run here.


Nice thread man...but what happened to her feet?? lol

[Miller4ever]

That's lens distortion.

This game is a little too close for comfort. We have to finish the game, something that's challenged us for years.

[Reginald Wayne]

James Posey is keeping Pacers in it. 4 3's. Keep it up Posey

[Indy2thaWindy]

McRoberts has been terrible so far this game, yet O'Brien plays him at the end of the game over Hibbert. Why?

[Miller4ever]

We've answered that several times over the years. It's because he's an idiot.

We need a coach that plays people based on skillset instead of how many threes and "deflections" they've accumulated.