Nov
1
Filed Under Analysis, NBA
Houston Rockets 106, Utah Jazz 95
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
Is this what new Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey had in mind this offseason when he upgraded the team’s roster with trades for Luis Scola and Mike James? Certainly, but he also knew that this team will go for as Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, with one of these players really needing to dominate night-in, night out.
McGrady had that look tonight, scoring 47 points on a sizzling 17-27 shooting. How nice was it to see McGrady make comments before the game detailing how he hadn’t gotten a win in Utah in a long time and that he was going to play urgent tonight! In fact, these were surprising comments from McGrady, a guy who has yet been able to get out of the first round of the NBA playoffs and had his will to win questioned by many, yours included.
McGrady played with urgency tonight, and Houston’s depth off the bench was superb. After falling by double digits in the first quarter, Houston got back in the game in the second quarter with Scola and James on the floor. McGrady then took over, propelling Houston to an eight point lead at the intermission after the Rockets put up 33 points in the second quarter.
While sloppy in the second half, Utah kept battling back. However, the Rockets kept responding with the intriguing trio of Scola, McGrady and Ming keeping the Jazz at bay in the fourth quarter.
With six minutes remaining and the Utah crowd getting loud after its team’s deficit was cut to seven, Scola hit a cold-hearted baseline jumper to push the game back to nine points. After another Utah basket, McGrady responded the next Houston possession with a tough fadeaway jumper just to the left of the top of the key. Later in the fourth, Ming hit a tough lefty hook in the lane to keep the Jazz from making any more headway.
After losing in seven games to the Jazz last season, Houston looked, at least for one night, like it not only closed the minor gap between itself and Utah, but surpassed it. Keep your eye on this team as it continues to get used to Adelman’s offensive system.
Wow! McGrady actually played hungry tonight. Ming was a bit too quick on the block, but still made some big plays. And Scola gave this team 28 tough minutes. While it’s only one game, Houston was impressive and is 2-0 with two road victories in much different varieties to start off the season.
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Houston Rockets 106, Utah Jazz 95
