It's a must-win, tonight, for Houston
The Jazz caught a break from the NBA schedule-maker.
Instead of waiting three or four days to play Game 5 against Houston, which can happen when ESPN, TNT and ABC smell good ratings and stick their noses into it, the Jazz and Rockets play tonight.
Only 43 hours after tying the series with an authoritative win in Game 4, the Jazz can take a commanding 3-2 lead by beating the Rockets, who will have little time to regroup, refocus and regain the confidence they lost in Utah. I think the quick turnaround is a huge advantage for the Jazz, although I think there are two things will work in Houston's favor, beyond playing at home.
No. 1, the Rockets' role players will probably perform better in Houston than they did at EnergySolutions Arena. The bench went 63:21 without a point between the tail-end of Game 2 and the second quarter of Game 4. Its contribution must improve, and I believe it will. Luther Head and Juwan Howard have to start hitting a few shots, don't they?
No. 2, Tracy McGrady is due to break out of his funk. He averaged 20 points in Houston's two losses, but made only 15 of 41 shots. He is 6-for-21 on three-pointers in the series. I expect McGrady will go to the basket early and often in Game 5. If he can get to the rim, he will create easier shots for himself and open looks for his teammates, as the Jazz defense collapses.
I've said it from the start: Rockets in seven. If I'm going to be right, Houston must win tonight.
- Steve Luhm
Instead of waiting three or four days to play Game 5 against Houston, which can happen when ESPN, TNT and ABC smell good ratings and stick their noses into it, the Jazz and Rockets play tonight.
Only 43 hours after tying the series with an authoritative win in Game 4, the Jazz can take a commanding 3-2 lead by beating the Rockets, who will have little time to regroup, refocus and regain the confidence they lost in Utah. I think the quick turnaround is a huge advantage for the Jazz, although I think there are two things will work in Houston's favor, beyond playing at home.
No. 1, the Rockets' role players will probably perform better in Houston than they did at EnergySolutions Arena. The bench went 63:21 without a point between the tail-end of Game 2 and the second quarter of Game 4. Its contribution must improve, and I believe it will. Luther Head and Juwan Howard have to start hitting a few shots, don't they?
No. 2, Tracy McGrady is due to break out of his funk. He averaged 20 points in Houston's two losses, but made only 15 of 41 shots. He is 6-for-21 on three-pointers in the series. I expect McGrady will go to the basket early and often in Game 5. If he can get to the rim, he will create easier shots for himself and open looks for his teammates, as the Jazz defense collapses.
I've said it from the start: Rockets in seven. If I'm going to be right, Houston must win tonight.
- Steve Luhm
9:14 AM
| 
3 Comments:
Impressive - the Jazz own beat writer picks the other team to win. I was equally impressed that you went on the Jazz broadcast and picked the Rockets. I expected ESPN to count the Jazz out, but even our home media?
McGrady has been playing this entire series going East-West, playing the pick-and-roll. If the Jazz continue to cut off his drive as he goes around the pick, he has no chance of getting to the basket.
The only chance the Rockets have is their supporting cast and 3-point shooting. If Alston, Battier and Head start making their 3's, we'll have some problems. Problem for them is they've shot so poorly, they've stopped shooting.
Sports journalism isn't supposed to be partial to one team or the other, even if they are the beat writer for the Jazz. I've been a Jazz fan since for 21 years and I had the Rockets winning tonight.
The Jazz beat themselves. Four point win for Houston. Crappy passes, missed free throws and too many outside forced jump shots. But what kills me is the Jazz ability to give the Rockets momentum.
In the end, if the Jazz lose this series, they beat themselves, but then, in hindsight, that's pretty much been all of our losses this year.
Also, some observations:
- Yao in the paint? Hello! Three seconds?
- Yao hooks Memo when he drives and, to my understanding, that is an offensive foul.
- I don't care if Yao is 7-6, when he is boxed out and reaches up and over Memo's back to get a rebound, that is a loose ball foul.
- For all his experience, Fisher makes some boneheaded plays sometimes. That charge at the end was a stupid, stupid decision on his part. They should have kicked it out for a three.
- Greg Ostertag would come in handy right now.
Post a Comment
<< Home