Rockets Game 1/82 Dwight gets Big!

Rockets Game 1/82

opponent: Charlotte Bobcats, soon to be Charlotte Hornets, record 0-0

Headline: Dwight Howard demands 26 rebounds in Rockets debut

Wesley was: at the game

The Toyota Center Crowd was: Late

The Game Grade: B-

Sloppy Sloppy game from both teams, of course it is to be expect from the Bobcats with guys like Kidd-Gilchrist and McRoberts going head on with Asik and Howard. James didn’t play much in the second half but passed Garcia(19 pts) in the final minutes of the game to be the Rockets scoring leader at 21 pts, his knee still looks slightly bothersome. Asik and Howard dominated on the Boards bringing down 40 of the Rockets 54 rebounds, 3 more than the Bobcats 37. All though the final box shows the Rocks shooting 47% they hovered in the low 40’s most of the game. Beverly and Lin totalled 40 minutes with Aaron Brooks making an unexpected early season appearance(16pts 2ast). Patrick had 2 early turnovers, got banged up a bit and sat most of the game, he tweeted later that he will play Friday against the Mavericks at the Toyota Center.

Thoughts(as a “we” man): It is nice to win these games where we don’t come close to our potential but end with a double digit deficit. The whole first half looked like we were just messing around, trying things out, after all, it is Charlotte. Kemba Walker comes back to Houston after playing here in the NCAA Finals. He may be a great 6th man somewhere someday. Let’s hope he doesn't get stuck in the deep unknown abyss that is Charlotte for his entire career. Jordan needs to just let go. I love me some Al Jefferson, it was fun watching him hustle hard the last 4 minutes, denying Dwight of a new personal rebounding record, C’mon AJ, the first 26 were probably just as important. Casspi “The Jew! For Two!” this guy is going to be nails, so versatile with a great shot. I like LIn off the Bench. Garcia is Money. We have the depth to adapt to any team, to have off nights and still win. The Rockets are for real.

Result: W 96-83

Box Score

Halloween Fun: 2 solid match ups Knicks @ Bulls, Warriors @ Clippers

What to watch for Tonight:

Happy Halloween, it is that time of the year again, personalities are coming out in the form of alter egos and movie characters, and basketball is in the air. Halloween night provides two good match ups on TNT with Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Shaq doing the down time entertaining.

7pm Knicks at Bulls
Derrick Rose sat out practice today with some bumps and bruises, and Carmelo Anthony wants to play for another team. There is a lot to talk about tonight sitting around watching this one.

 After beating up on the Bulls at home, the Heat went and got beat by the 76ers on the road, what does that say about the bulls? Well nothing really, but I am going to over analyze it. At a glance this says a lot, D rose isn't back, the bulls aren't contenders, the Heat are beatable. But I also assume that D rose will get better, the bulls will get better, the Heat will not play without D wade all season, and the 76ers may not be THE worst team in the league.

'Melo couldn't have made much of a more distracting statement a couple weeks ago saying that he couldn't wait to be a free agent. Now I am in the few who understand that maybe he just meant that being in that position and being a good player is fun because you get to do whatever you want, but saying it out loud was just, so, dumb. I don't know what to expect from the Knicks, the talent is there and the Owner Expects to Win so we shall see, yes, we shall see...

Bulls win. Steve Kerr and Marv Albert on the Call...

9:30pm Warriors at Clippers
What at tasty match up here, outside of the Rockets last season the Warriors were the run and gun team of the west. They have 2 of the best, and I mean the best, shooters in the league in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, both NBA second generation players. These 2 put on a clinic night in and night out, when I am teaching someone to shoot, their(Klay and Steph) tape is all I need. The Warriors won their first game smoking the Lakers in their house, the Lakers were on the second night of a back to back coming off an emotional opening night win over new rival Clippers. So tonight should provide a much better test for them.



I feel like I am becoming a Clipper hater, I don't hate the Clippers, I just think with their Roster and experience the expectations are unrealistic. The size is just not there. I don't like Chris Paul, good player, his flopping makes me want to throw a brick through my tv though, ala Manu Ginobli. So there is some extra hate for LA, but it aint the Lake Show. Rivers is a great coach and I wouldn't be surprised if HE could turn this team around, after all he got it(championship) done in Boston without a dominant 5.

Rooting for Warriors, so Warriors Win. Probably Reggie Miller and insert TNT play by play guy

Baskeblog Picks Against the Spread

49ers5-2 @ Jaguars0-7 +15.5 The 49ers travel to the east coast for an early game, typically this is a difficult thing to do for west coast teams. I am not going to pick the Jags to win, however I am picking them to cover the spread at home. MJD has a decent day and the Jacksonville defense slows down Kaepernick enough to stay with in reach of their dignity.
Jags +15.5 

Cowboys4-3 @ Lions4-3 -3 The Cowboys offense is always capable of going off for 30 or 40 points, but so is Detroit's. Detroit has a stout D line and good defensive backs, meanwhile D Ware is out for Dallas; their best defensive player(DE). I expect Tony to have a good day though and cover the points on the road.
Cowboys +3

Giants1-6 @ Eagles3-4 -5 Looks like Mike Vick is coming back and I don't think the Giants O line got much better this week. I'm not spending much time here.
Eagles -5

Browns3-4 @ Chiefs7-0 -7.5 This game is a mystery to me, I don't think either team is great at QB, Alex smith being a better option though than whatever Cleveland puts out there. I don't want to count the Browns out because of how they have competed in previous weeks but having just witnessed this environment I don't think they can possibly win this game. Kansas City would have to lose the turn over battle big time.
Chiefs -7.5

Bills3-4 @ Saints5-1 -11.5 Drew Brees and Sean Peyton are at home, against the Bills.
Saints -11.5

Dolphins3-3 @ Patriots5-2 -6.5 The Pats have been struggling this year to put up the type of points and performances we are used to out of Tom Brady and the Hoodie. On the flip side the Dolphins led by 2 Aggies at the helm(Tannehill and Sherman) seem to be making a step forward. I think the Pats win by a field goal.
Dolphins +6.5

Jets4-3 @ Bengals5-2 -6 Geno Smith is due for his normal "off week" against the Cincy defense. The Jets are not bad this season but I don't think they get this one. Matter of fact I think it gets ugly.
Bengals -6

Steelers2-4 @ Raiders2-4 +2.5 Pittsburg has yet to play an impressive game, some players have had good games bu they haven't put it all together. Oakland has some life this season with young Terrelle Pryor and a few other scattered offensive weapons. The Steelers haven't played super and they don't start this weekend.
Raiders +2.5

Washington2-4 @ Broncos6-1 -11.5 RG3 is getting comfortable with his knee and it is showing. Washington had a great offensive game last week and will have one this week too. Unfortunately they are playing in Denver against Peyton Manning.
Broncos -11.5

Falcons2-4 @ Cardinals3-4 -2 I am slightly surprised to see Arizona favored, they have not played well much at all this season. Atlanta has played well on offense but hasn't been able to get the W's. Atlanta is a better team and I expect them to take care of budness...
Falcons +2 

Packers4-2 @ Vikings1-5 +9 Adrian Peterson better get the ball 30 freaking times or I'm going to flip out. He will take this into his hands, he may even win it for them. "Vike Me"
Vikings +9

Seahawks6-1 @ Rams3-4 +12 I have been impressed with Seattle's ability to win this year but not overly impressed with the offense. This is a weird game for me. I like Zach Stacey running for St. Louis, but that is all that they have so whoever is throwing for them is in trouble. Assuming the Seahawk's D shows up big I don't see how the Rams get points outside of defensive TD's.
Seahawks-12