OCGT: Dec 25 Rockets (18-11) @ Spurs (22-6)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2013/1220/dm_131220_nba_rockets_spurs/dm_131220_nba_rockets_spurs.jpg

Game Links: http://www.feed2all.eu/type/basketball.html

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20131225/HOUSAS/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


James Harden once again was tough to stop for the San Antonio Spurs last month.

The Spurs, however, may not have to worry about the Houston Rockets' top scorer in Wednesday night's home meeting between the Southwest Division's top teams.

Houston (18-11) had dropped seven straight at San Antonio before a 112-106 victory Nov. 30. Harden was the catalyst, scoring a game-high 31 points with seven rebounds and six assists.

The shooting guard will be a game-time decision for this Christmas matchup after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle. He is averaging 30.5 points over his last four against the Spurs (22-6), who are well aware that Harden ranks third in the NBA with 8.6 foul shots per game.

"It's not an easy task," San Antonio guard Danny Green said. "We'll try to do as best we can of trying to play good straight-up defense without giving him easy ones at the free-throw line."

San Antonio will get its first look of the season at Jeremy Lin, who missed the first meeting due to a sprained right knee.

Lin also missed four games in a row with back spasms before returning in Monday's 111-104 home loss to Dallas. He had 20 points, five turnovers and two assists.

"I felt like every pass I threw was deflected," Lin said. "I just got to keep playing and keep trying to make the passes and do better."

Lin faces a major challenge in his point guard matchup with Tony Parker, who had 26 points and eight assists in Monday's 112-99 home win over Toronto.

"We won that game because of Tony Parker's aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. And we made some 3s in the fourth quarter. Those are the two reasons we won the game."

San Antonio made 6 of 7 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter after going 3 of 16 in the first 36 minutes. Green made all four of his long-range attempts in the final period in his second straight game off the bench after he started the first 26.

Marco Belinelli, second in the league in 3-point shooting at 51.1 percent, is now starting. He has unpleasant memories of his Christmas game last season with Chicago, which lost 120-97 at home to the Rockets.

"Last year when I was in Chicago, I played against Houston and we lost by 25, I think," he said. "So this year I'm going to try and be more aggressive and we will see tomorrow."

Houston ranks third in the NBA with 50.0 points per game in the paint behind Dwight Howard, who is averaging 18.7 points and leads the league with 9.6 free-throw attempts per game. The Rockets have attempted an NBA-high 770 3-pointers, ranking third by making 272.

"Last time we played them they were the number one in the league in points in the paint and number one shooting behind the arc," Green said. "I don't know if they still are but we know how effective they are and how good they can be."

The Rockets placed all five starters in double figures in points in last month's meeting, but Patrick Beverley will miss this one with a broken hand that will sideline him for at least a month.

[Uncle Drew]

Should be a good one.

[K Xerxes]

Hope we have an intense game all the way through. Line up so far has been a joke. :facepalm

[BasedTom]

Take a shot every time Kevin Hart appears on your TV

[miamiandorlando]

the first good game of the day if harden is in it

[Uncle Drew]

Georgle Karl announcing the game. :rockon:

[MP.Trey]

Should be the second best game of the night. Possibly the best. :cheers:

[SCdac]

Go spurs

keys to success for SA: keep Harden, Howard, and Parsons out of the paint. make em shoot

[Fudge]

Lol @ Pop

[miamiandorlando]

rockets out early

[Uncle Drew]

Time out after one minute. Pop bein' Pop.

[Derka]

Karl doing TV, getting paid to talk about basketball.

Good, you deserve it! :cheers:

[K Xerxes]

Dwight looks ****ing hilarious in that jersey. :roll:

[Uncle Drew]

Timmy lockdown D. :pimp:


Dwight looks ****ing hilarious in that jersey. :roll:

It actually shows how f-ing huge he is, those shoulders doe. :eek:

[BallsOut]

Howard post game getting exposed by Duncan :sleeping

[fsvr54]

Crowd is hype as hell, love it.

[inclinerator]

linsanity@

[miamiandorlando]

lin

[jaydacris]

dat lin block

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Manu is a better player than Harden. Anyone who says Harden is the next Manu is a fcking piece of sht. He can never hold Manus jockstrap

[MP.Trey]

Lin/Parsons VS Ginobili :eek:

[BallsOut]

Rockets lead 22-9 :biggums:

[SCdac]

Spurs haven't even shown up to the game lol :facepalm

[jaydacris]

wow spurs gettin rocked

[LONGTIME]

Spurs :biggums:

[BallsOut]

Rockets lead 27-9 :biggums: :biggums:

[Johnny Jones]

This game is boring

[MP.Trey]

This is so weird. Spurs look lazy and uninspired. 27-9 now. :wtf:

[Project018]

Damn Spurs :crazysam:

[miamiandorlando]

parsons is gettin lit

[PerfectCell]

God damn

[nathanjizzle]

jeremy lin is a really good player

[ihoopallday]

:wtf: Why would Houston call a time out?

[HeyIt'sMe]

Parsons abusing Leonard yet again, but Leonard is better :oldlol:

[K Xerxes]

Don't really understand the timeout call there. Rockets were killing the Spurs with the pace.

[The-Legend-24]

Didn't the Rockets smash on the Spurs earlier in the season?

[Rose'sACL]

defense looks bad. bad rotations.

[Project018]

NBA Live :facepalm

[Uncle Drew]

Parsons :pimp: Class act.

[Derka]

Cool story about Parsons there. :applause:

[Uncle Drew]

Heat check!

[Johnny Jones]

So Wet

[MP.Trey]

Parsons :biggums:

GAWD DAYM

[#number6ix#]

Parson is stroking it tonight

[K Xerxes]

Chandler and Dwight just killing it. Honestly, if Houston can maintain this inside outside balance, their offense will be so devastating. Easily could be a legit contender, if not this year, then in the next few.

[BallsOut]

Cool story about Parsons there. :applause:

They only tell the good stories. What about the KG story on Charlie Villanueva?

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

How can u not love Manu:confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:
this nikka is all skill, finesse and bball IQ:biggums: :biggums: :biggums:

[Uncle Drew]

How can u not love Manu:confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:
this nikka is all skill, finesse and bball IQ:biggums: :biggums: :biggums:
Craftiest player ever. :oldlol:

[Derka]

They only tell the good stories. What about the KG story on Charlie Villanueva?

Were you not paying attention? They told the bejesus out of that story, just like they did with the Carmelo/Cheerios thing.

[SCdac]

Spurs should try and move Danny Green before the deadline, think they could net something good in return. Rockets making three after three! That'll cool down imo. It's the dunks and layups Spurs need to stop

[LONGTIME]

Rockets with 40 pts in the first quarter :biggums:

[Fox]

Good game, but not quite up to the HEAT standard.

[yeaaaman]

What is McHale doing? Maybe putting Howard in a bit earlier would have been a good idea?

[Mr Exlax]

What is McHale doing? Maybe putting Howard in a bit earlier would have been a good idea?

I'm sitting here thinking the same thing.

[AboutBuckets]

Can one of the statistically-oriented people find the last time SA gave up 40 in a quarter?

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Can one of the statistically-oriented people find the last time SA gave up 40 in a quarter?

OKC 4 days ago.

[fsvr54]

What is defense?

[Uncle Drew]

''The good thing about the 1st quarter, is that we know it was only the 1st quarter''

lmao

[MP.Trey]

Dwight's missed more free throws than the New York Knicks this year. :lebronamazed:

[Legends66NBA7]

Definitely was going to be an offensive minded game. Good to see the Spurs are responding well.

Howard corny as hell in that sing a long... Geez.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Does Dwight use botox :lol :lol :lol

[Uncle Drew]

Amazing game.

[ripthekik]

Harden is just so out of sync. Without him they move the ball fast. With him he likes to stand around, and hold the ball.

[MP.Trey]

Timmy wasn't happy with the refs :oldlol:

[HylianNightmare]

keep it up rockets

[HylianNightmare]

whish she was just wearin those lebrons

[AboutBuckets]

Lol Jalen not knowing how to use/pronounce the word boutonni

[inclinerator]

linsane to dwert

[Derka]

Up your ass, Tirico...they're god-awful jerseys.

[Scholar]

Ooh wee!!! One of the not-so-legal sites works at my job! I can watch this game and the GSW-LAC game. :applause:

[Uncle Drew]

Ooh wee!!! One of the not-so-legal sites works at my job! I can watch this game and the GSW-LAC game. :applause:
You work on Christmas?

[ABfor3]

Parsons showing Leonard what a 1st round pick supposed to play like

[ihoopallday]

I don't know why but Parson's trajectory on his shots looks weird to me.

[Uncle Drew]

What the hell was Bellineli thinking.

[MP.Trey]

Belli casually shooting 33 footers lol

[inclinerator]

I don't know why but Parson's trajectory on his shots looks weird to me.
it's flat and looks like he's shooting ont he way down

[mans1ay3r]

What the hell was Bellineli thinking.
I love how he tried to fake it first.

[ace23]

Ooh if Terrence had yammed that. :eek:

[Uncle Drew]

Duncan 5 blocks already.

[ABfor3]

Harden told the coaches to not give help while he's defending Leonard, matchup getting heated

[HylianNightmare]

That putback would have made me rock hard

[HeyIt'sMe]

Duncan 5 blocks already.

He's so long, he doesn't need to be a great athlete to block shots. That's what outstanding timing, technique, and length on the defensive end will do for ya.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Another paranormal activity:biggums: :biggums:
these nikkas needa stop:biggums:

[Legends66NBA7]

Duncan impacting this game every way possible right now, outside of missing some open jumpers. The rest of the Spurs defense has really picked up too.

[Legends66NBA7]

Duncan 5 blocks already.

He's got a 5-5-5-5 game going.

Possible quadruple double ?

[ihoopallday]

He's got a 5-5-5-5 game going.

Possible quadruple double ?

:eek: When's the last time that happened?

[inclinerator]

linsanityyy

[fsvr54]

How about you defend the 3 point line, not that hard.

[HylianNightmare]

Pop

[Uncle Drew]

Why couldn't you do this in the Finals Manu?

[MP.Trey]

Fun game. :applause:

[HylianNightmare]

Damon lin

[Legends66NBA7]

:eek: When's the last time that happened?

David Robinson in Feb 1994.

Off course, Duncan came close to one in 2003 in game 6 of the NBA Finals. He's 1 point, 5 assists, and 5 blocks away from the quad, though. I can see him at least with a double double. Would need some OT for a triple/quad game.

[inclinerator]

harden sucks

[HylianNightmare]

What shoes Parker rockin

[ABfor3]

I love the physicality of this game, I wish every game was like this and the refs just let them play.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

I love the physicality of this game, I wish every game was like this and the refs just let them play.
This

[Uncle Drew]

I'm f-ing tired and we're no where near the end yet. :D

[LONGTIME]

Ayres impersonating Perkins with that shot.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

The fck happen to Danny Green:biggums: :biggums: :biggums:

[Uncle Drew]

The fcuk Dwight. :lol

[LONGTIME]

Taliban doing damage.

[MP.Trey]

Harden lighting up the mid-range. Who'da thunk it?

[ABfor3]

Harden on fire!!

[inclinerator]

harden finally playing good

[Uncle Drew]

Harden is taking over.

[ihoopallday]

This is how every game should be officiated!!

[LONGTIME]

Harden with the daggers.

[HylianNightmare]

Harden cold blooded

[ABfor3]

All hail James Harden!

[Buzissa]

Harden taking over:applause: :bowdown:

[Uncle Drew]

Only 26 fouls have been called this game.

[O_City_Thunder]

harden sucks
Not really

[Uncle Drew]

I like Terrence Jones' game.

[HylianNightmare]

The would have been tight

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

How u not gon put ur most clutch player Manu in crunch time:facepalm
spurs fail:facepalm :facepalm

[LONGTIME]

Spurs look like a second round exit.

[ABfor3]

How u not gon put ur most clutch player Manu in crunch time:facepalm
spurs fail:facepalm :facepalm
The 2013 Finals beg to differ

[MP.Trey]

Pop throwing the bench in. :lol

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

The 2013 Finals beg to differ
U start watching ball in 2013?:biggums:

[rezznor]

spurs fans heading for the exits

[O_City_Thunder]

Dwight hugging Harden a little too long :oldlol: :oldlol:

[Scholar]

Not even lying.. I tuned out, came back to the screen and saw Harden getting interviewed. I thought it was Mr. T. :facepalm

[BlackVVaves]

Spurs haven't faired well against the top teams in the league this year.

[KG215]

Spurs continue to be shit against the best teams in the league.

[Flagrant 2]

what kinda shoes was harden rockin?

[andremiller07]

I swear Tiago Splitter never use to be this shit, the dude is gaining ground on Perkins.

[O_City_Thunder]

Spurs continue to be shit against the best teams in the league.
Apparently that's part of Pop's plan.

[LONGTIME]

Apparently that's part of Pop's plan.

CIA Pop

[Cosmonaut]

best officiated game i have seen this season

[gyu]

lin locked up parker?

[SCdac]

Spurs rotations were lackadaisical and couldn't stop any kind of penetration in the game. James Harden came up big in the 4th, hard to stop that. Feel like Spurs have yet to hit a high gear (that they're capable of hitting) despite their record, but then again their best players on the wrong side of 30. Splitter is great but he's so soft on offense. Would love to see Joakim Noah, Serge Ibaka, or Greg Monroe on the Spurs /dreaming

[JimmyMcAdocious]

lmao that ESPN thinks the Clippers would beat the Spurs in the playoffs.

Even the Spurs playing at a high level would probably lose to OKC. I don't buy Houston, but you can at least see their potential. The Clippers? :roll:

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Spurs rotations were lackadaisical and couldn't stop any kind of penetration in the game. James Harden came up big in the 4th, hard to stop that. Feel like Spurs have yet to hit a high gear (that they're capable of hitting) despite their record, but then again their best players on the wrong side of 30. Splitter is great but he's so soft on offense. Would love to see Joakim Noah, Serge Ibaka, or Greg Monroe on the Spurs /dreaming
Serge is as soft as Splitter on offense dont let his numbers fool you. He gets assisted on over 85% of his FGs

[SCdac]

Serge is as soft as Splitter on offense dont let his numbers fool you. He gets assisted on over 85% of his FGs

But his jump shot is miles ahead of Splitter and he's at about 80% at the FT line. If Splitter gets fouled he's likely to miss the FT's and he gets blocked at the worst of times. Serge + Duncan would be sick.

[Xsatyr]

what kinda shoes was harden rockin?

http://imageshack.com/a/img36/633/98dn.png

Christmas kicks.

[gyu]

someone fill me in, did parker get locked up by lin or just a bad game?

[GOBB]

I like Terrence Jones. Thought he be another Thad young type but he has potential to be much better. By Thad type I mean not really a starting caliber player, more suited for a 6th man role.

[LONGTIME]

someone fill me in, did parker get locked up by lin or just a bad game?

Lin shut his ass down.

[gyu]

I like Terrence Jones. Thought he be another Thad young type but he has potential to be much better. By Thad type I mean not really a starting caliber player, more suited for a 6th man role.
he's a beast. i really like his quiet yet tough demeanor.

[gyu]

Lin shut his ass down.
good to hear, thanks :oldlol: . would rep but gave too much in last 24 hours. rep me or msg me and i'll send it to you when i can.

always thought lin's defense is underrated.

[I<3NBA]

which is better

21 pts 14 rebs 1 ast 1 stl 3 blks

or

15 pts 20 rebs 3 ast 2 blks

[gyu]

Lin shut his ass down.
you have been repped!

[KG215]

But his jump shot is miles ahead of Splitter and he's at about 80% at the FT line. If Splitter gets fouled he's likely to miss the FT's and he gets blocked at the worst of times. Serge + Duncan would be sick.
I imagine Spurs fans, when they aren't hating him or getting pissed off at him for almost always killing them, have to at least see Ibaka and wish they had him instead of Splitter. Don't know what it is about playing the Spurs, but it seems like he just goes nuts on both ends of the floor and usually ends up making at least two Spurs frontcourt players his bitch by the end of the night on defense.

Doesn't necessarily do that against everyone else (although he's been more consistent this year) but something about the Spurs generally brings the best out in him.

[LONGTIME]

you have been repped!

:cheers:

[YouGotServed]

Manu is a better player than Harden. Anyone who says Harden is the next Manu is a fcking piece of sht. He can never hold Manus jockstrap

lol

Harden took over in the 4th. Where was Manu?

[SCREWstonRockets]

what kinda shoes was harden rockin?
Nike zoom crusader