Rockets @ Timberwolves . Quest for .500

[theGreatRC]

Game 1 vs Houston http://www.nba.com/games/20120123/HOUMI ... GIboxscore
Game 2 @ Houston http://www.nba.com/games/20120130/MINHO ... GIboxscore

Minnesota (11-12) is 6-4 on the road and has won three in a row there. The Timberwolves, though, are 5-8 at Target Center and are on the verge of their second three-game losing streak there.

They've also failed in their four previous attempts at a .500 record this season.

"I wish (we could play more on the road)," Love said. "If it was that way we'd be over the doomed .500 mark that we can't seem to get over. I really don't even want to talk about it because it's kind of been our Achilles' heel."

Not 100% sure, but starting lineups should be the same as the last game vs. Houston, with the probability of Darko starting in place of Pek (For about 5 minutes, then Pek will tear it up)





VS



KEYS TO THE GAME

- Limit Kevin Martin to under 20points

Houston has won eight in a row at Target Center and 15 of the past 17 overall matchups. Another strong performance from Martin in Minnesota could help his team extend its streak.
The Rockets guard has averaged 30.0 points in his last four games there and 27.6 in his last seven overall matchups.

- Commit less than 20 Turnovers. Our loss against Houston this year came due to the fact that we simply could not hold onto the ball and we made some silly turnovers that were just disgusting. Keep it under 15 and we got this. (We committed 20 TO in the L vs HOU)

- Let Rubio make the plays. I'm tired of seeing Luke dribble around the perimeter, only to shoot a mid-range or 3pt shot off the dribble with nobody else getting involved in the play. The teamwork just flows so much better when Ricky is making things happen, because other guys start feeding off his passing and they end up looking for other players as well.

LETS GET A WIN BOYS! .500 BALL STARTS TONIGHT

[kmgarnett21]

5th time's the charm, right?

[Malato]

Yes we can!!! xD

[metalinguss]

Let's gooooo! I agree, they need to contain Martin.

[teamwillow]

This is a GOOD TEAM, I expect us to win almost every game...and honestly...

WE SHOULD NOT BE LOSING HOME GAMES. Win win win...all day baby

[Malato]

Let's gooooo! I agree, they need to contain Martin.

We can't make it with a PG defending on him. A one PG system for today, please.

[shrink]

If we want to make the play-offs, we need to start putting losses on teams like HOU, not just to lower their record, but to have the advantage in the play-off tie-breaker system.

This is an important one.

[C.lupus]

Don't know what to think about this one. They blew us out on our home court then we blew them out on their's. Considering it's a home game, a back-to-back situation, and another shot at .500, it'll probably be a loss.

[moss_is_1]

They're coming off a back to back as well, but their starters didn't play a lot of minutes cuz they blew out PHX.

We need to really go at Scola, he's horrible defending stretch 4's, and we happen to have one of the best.

Let's hope Beasley has another big game like last time we played them.

[theGreatRC]

Don't know what to think about this one. They blew us out on our home court then we blew them out on their's. Considering it's a home game, a back-to-back situation, and another shot at .500, it'll probably be a loss.

true, but players like Beasley, Martell, DWill, Barea didn't play that much last night, so KLove and Rubio won't have to huff and puff like prior games when those players were injured (Besides DWill)

[kmgarnett21]

Don't know what to think about this one. They blew us out on our home court then we blew them out on their's. Considering it's a home game, a back-to-back situation, and another shot at .500, it'll probably be a loss.

Agreed.


Malato also makes a good point. Minn isn't going to win if Ridnour's guarding Martin. If Adelman's going to start Luke, then hopefully it's in the role of a Darko start, where he only plays for a couple of minutes at start. Bring in Ridnour when Rubio goes to the bench. I hope to see a lot of Wayne and My Little Pony on Martin tonight.


It would be really nice if Wes could have a break-out game and go for 20+. I hope Pek starts and gets Dalembert in foul trouble b/c he is a legit shot blocker. We got him in foul trouble the last time we played and it greatly benefited Minn.

Oh, and I HATE listening to the Rockets' broadcast team. They're one of the worst in the league. Last game, I had the game on mute for most of the 2nd quarter.

[theGreatRC]

Also, as of right now..

Minnesota (11-12), Portland(13-10) and Memphis(12-11) are out of the playoff picture with the Rockets 13-10 (8th seed) and the Jazz 12-9 (7th seed) as our closest targets to a playoff spot. Dallas is at 14-10 (6th seed).

A win tonight would put us at 12-12 and the rockets at 13-11, about 1 game or 1.5 games out of the 8th seed.

Portland plays the Nuggets tonight, but the nuggets are on the end of a b2b2b and the Blazers are fresh from a day off.

Utah plays the lakers tonight, but the game is in Utah and the lakers only have 4 wins on the road + lakers are coming off a b2b game.

Dallas plays Cleveland, but we all know how that goes.

[theGreatRC]

After this game, the rockets go on a 6 game road trip:

Wolves
Nuggets
Blazers
Suns
Warriors
Grizzlies

Then at home against the Thunder.

We need to take this win tonight as we have Sacramento next game, which is very winnable.

[Torcher]

"I wish (we could play more on the road)," Love said. "If it was that way we'd be over the doomed .500 mark that we can't seem to get over. I really don't even want to talk about it because it's kind of been our Achilles' heel."

This is exactly why they are prone to lose on their home floor. If you come into a game thinking we are better off on the road, then you'll lose more times then not at home because that confidence is taken away. If you come in thinking we can win every night, home floor or not, then things will be put into place.

[Klomp]

Interesting...only three players have played in all 23 games. Love, Rubio, and Williams.

[Dewey]

Expect Webster/Wes to defend Martin. JJB will likely see more pt backing up Rube. Not much of a game for Luke or Ellington unless we need offense.

It's kind of back to the wildcard with Beas ... McHale will take certainly his chances that he won't shoot for percentage. They will play off him and hope he stalls us out.

Would be nice if Darko could give 15-20 minutes on the defensive end. With Pec starting to develop, there's going to come a point where teams cannot let him go 1-on-1 inside. I expect Love to stretch alot tonight - especially if Beas is off.

[BeasleyTheBeast]

hopefully gets to play more minutes this game.

Let's get the Win tonite!!!

[Klomp]

hopefully gets to play more minutes this game.

Let's get the Win tonite!!!

Who?

[yowyOw]

hopefully gets to play more minutes this game.

Let's get the Win tonite!!!

Who?

From his nick, I suppose he's referring to Beas

.

[yowyOw]

I hope Adelman will reconsider making Luke guard Martin.

.