Rockets missing Ming
The Houston Rockets are pretty easy to read.
With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in the lineup, they?re good. When either one of them is out due to injury, they?re bad. Hence the problem: over the first two months of the season, both stars have been plagued by injuries.
In November, T-Mac, the team?s leading scorer, had a strained back that kept him out of eight games. The Rockets lost all eight. When he returned in December after missing five games, the Rockets won six of eight, including five straight.
Then it was Ming?s turn to visit the infirmary. After a loss to the Clippers on December 18, Ming was scratched from the lineup to have surgery performed on his infected big left toe. Houston won their first game without Ming versus the Lakers, but then lost their next five. As of Tuesday, the Rockets were 10-18 and sat in last in the Southwest division.
In the games that both Ming and McGrady were in the lineup, the Rockets were 9-5. When either one of them are out, they?re 1-13. Without Ming and McGrady on the floor, the Rockets simply can?t score. They are currently last in the league in scoring, averaging only 87.6 ppg. Their 41.5 shooting percentage is also the NBA?s worst.
During their most recent five-game losing streak, the Rockets averaged just 84 points and were losing by an average of 10 points.
?We cannot shoot the ball,? coach Jeff Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle. ?Last year, we rode the wave of great shooting. That brings passion and energy. When you're not shooting well in today's NBA, it's very deflating.?
It?s still unclear when Ming, the team?s second-leading scorer (19.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (9.1 rpg), will be back in the lineup. Until he returns, the Rockets? struggles will likely continue.
This Thursday, they visit Cleveland in the opener of TNT?s weekly double-bill (8 p.m. ET). Unlike Houston, the Cavs can score.
Led by LeBron James, who ranks third in the NBA in scoring with an average of 30.4 ppg, Cleveland is averaging 101.5 ppg, third-most in the league. James also leads in the team in assists, averaging 5.6.
Prior to Tuesday night?s action, the Cavs were 18-10 and sat second in the Central division. The team has really started to turn it on over the past month going 7-1 SU and winning six straight in the second half of December. At home, Cleveland has been particularly dominant having gone 13-3 SU. Only the Pistons and the Spurs have lost fewer games.
Against the number, the Cavs were 16-11-1 as of Tuesday; the Rockets were 15-13.
In the second game of Thursday?s doubleheader, the Indiana Pacers travel to Golden State to take on the Warriors.
On Monday, the Pacers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 115-96 win over the mediocre Sonics. The losing skid was punctuated by an embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors at home on Dec. 30. The Raptors, who had the worst record in the league prior to the game, rallied from a 16-point deficit to win as 7.5-point dogs.
Granted, the first three losses in the skid were on the road to league powerhouses Cleveland, Dallas and San Antonio. Yet, those losses perhaps underscored the impact Ron Artest?s absence is having on the team.
Artest, the team?s second-leading scorer (19.4 ppg), has been out of the lineup since Dec. 8. The day after he missed a game due to an injured right wrist, Artest told the Indianapolis Star that he wanted to be traded.
On Dec. 12, Artest was placed on the inactive list while the team looked for a trading partner. During his absence, the Pacers have faded going 6-5 SU. With him in the lineup, they were 10-7 SU.
One team looking to land Artest is Los Angeles, however, the Lakers would likely have to give up the team?s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder Lamar Odom, something they?re reluctant to do.
Another team in the mix is Golden State. The Warriors might be able to acquire Artest in exchange for young players like forwards Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Ike Diogu. Acquiring Artest would give the Warriors a significant shot in the arm in what is already shaping up to be a decent season.
Prior to Tuesday, the Warriors were 17-14 and third in the Pacific division, 2.5 games behind the Suns. Their win on New Year?s Eve against the Rockets was their third straight.
Led by Jason Richardson, who?s averaging 23 ppg (14th overall), the Warriors have shown the ability to score, averaging just under 100 ppg (7th overall). This ability is also reflected in the team?s results on posted totals. Prior to Tuesday, the Warriors had seen 19 of their previous 22 games go OVER. Through 31 games, the Warriors were 20-11 on the OVER/UNDER.
As of Tuesday, the Warriors were 16-15 ATS; the Pacers were 14-13-1.
Perry-
BetWWTS.com
The Houston Rockets are pretty easy to read.
With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in the lineup, they?re good. When either one of them is out due to injury, they?re bad. Hence the problem: over the first two months of the season, both stars have been plagued by injuries.
In November, T-Mac, the team?s leading scorer, had a strained back that kept him out of eight games. The Rockets lost all eight. When he returned in December after missing five games, the Rockets won six of eight, including five straight.
Then it was Ming?s turn to visit the infirmary. After a loss to the Clippers on December 18, Ming was scratched from the lineup to have surgery performed on his infected big left toe. Houston won their first game without Ming versus the Lakers, but then lost their next five. As of Tuesday, the Rockets were 10-18 and sat in last in the Southwest division.
In the games that both Ming and McGrady were in the lineup, the Rockets were 9-5. When either one of them are out, they?re 1-13. Without Ming and McGrady on the floor, the Rockets simply can?t score. They are currently last in the league in scoring, averaging only 87.6 ppg. Their 41.5 shooting percentage is also the NBA?s worst.
During their most recent five-game losing streak, the Rockets averaged just 84 points and were losing by an average of 10 points.
?We cannot shoot the ball,? coach Jeff Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle. ?Last year, we rode the wave of great shooting. That brings passion and energy. When you're not shooting well in today's NBA, it's very deflating.?
It?s still unclear when Ming, the team?s second-leading scorer (19.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (9.1 rpg), will be back in the lineup. Until he returns, the Rockets? struggles will likely continue.
This Thursday, they visit Cleveland in the opener of TNT?s weekly double-bill (8 p.m. ET). Unlike Houston, the Cavs can score.
Led by LeBron James, who ranks third in the NBA in scoring with an average of 30.4 ppg, Cleveland is averaging 101.5 ppg, third-most in the league. James also leads in the team in assists, averaging 5.6.
Prior to Tuesday night?s action, the Cavs were 18-10 and sat second in the Central division. The team has really started to turn it on over the past month going 7-1 SU and winning six straight in the second half of December. At home, Cleveland has been particularly dominant having gone 13-3 SU. Only the Pistons and the Spurs have lost fewer games.
Against the number, the Cavs were 16-11-1 as of Tuesday; the Rockets were 15-13.
In the second game of Thursday?s doubleheader, the Indiana Pacers travel to Golden State to take on the Warriors.
On Monday, the Pacers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 115-96 win over the mediocre Sonics. The losing skid was punctuated by an embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors at home on Dec. 30. The Raptors, who had the worst record in the league prior to the game, rallied from a 16-point deficit to win as 7.5-point dogs.
Granted, the first three losses in the skid were on the road to league powerhouses Cleveland, Dallas and San Antonio. Yet, those losses perhaps underscored the impact Ron Artest?s absence is having on the team.
Artest, the team?s second-leading scorer (19.4 ppg), has been out of the lineup since Dec. 8. The day after he missed a game due to an injured right wrist, Artest told the Indianapolis Star that he wanted to be traded.
On Dec. 12, Artest was placed on the inactive list while the team looked for a trading partner. During his absence, the Pacers have faded going 6-5 SU. With him in the lineup, they were 10-7 SU.
One team looking to land Artest is Los Angeles, however, the Lakers would likely have to give up the team?s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder Lamar Odom, something they?re reluctant to do.
Another team in the mix is Golden State. The Warriors might be able to acquire Artest in exchange for young players like forwards Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Ike Diogu. Acquiring Artest would give the Warriors a significant shot in the arm in what is already shaping up to be a decent season.
Prior to Tuesday, the Warriors were 17-14 and third in the Pacific division, 2.5 games behind the Suns. Their win on New Year?s Eve against the Rockets was their third straight.
Led by Jason Richardson, who?s averaging 23 ppg (14th overall), the Warriors have shown the ability to score, averaging just under 100 ppg (7th overall). This ability is also reflected in the team?s results on posted totals. Prior to Tuesday, the Warriors had seen 19 of their previous 22 games go OVER. Through 31 games, the Warriors were 20-11 on the OVER/UNDER.
As of Tuesday, the Warriors were 16-15 ATS; the Pacers were 14-13-1.
Perry-
BetWWTS.com
