Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:35 pm EST

Game to pay attention to: Rockets vs. Jazz

By Kelly Dwyer



Houston (2-1) at Utah (1-1)

As you probably could have guessed, the star-less Houston Rockets have started out on the right foot. It hasn't broken yet, the team has split a pair of contests with the Portland Trail Blazers, while winning a tough one in Golden State.

(The Portland thing cracks me up. No wonder the Trail Blazers are carping at each other — before Sunday's win over the Thunder, Portland had played the Rockets in eight of their last nine games.)

Houston has upped the pace, moving from 19th in possessions per game last year to 12th this time around, and it's agreeing with free agent signee Trevor Ariza(notes), who is averaging over 23 a game in his time as a Rocket. That would be Trevor Ariza. 23 a game. I knew he was athletic and on national TV a lot, but, geesh. That cat put in some work.

You know the Jazz put in the work. They've split their first two, with a win over the Clippers and a loss in Denver, and the team has looked pretty solid thus far. Huge shocker.

And, on NBA TV, this game should be available to many a numbered few. Something like that. Have at it, boys.

Related: Trevor Ariza, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Game to pay attention to

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23 Comments

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  1. hmmM
    1. Posted by hmmM Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:04 pm EST

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    good game
  2. fio
    2. Posted by fio Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:10 pm EST

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    Jazz 95
    Rockets 90
  3. Hambone
    3. Posted by Hambone Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:25 pm EST

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    Don't remember from last season: do we never get BTBS on Mondays?
  4. Andrew M
    4. Posted by Andrew M Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:37 pm EST

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    rockets will surprise many people this year and maybe even make the playoffs. then yao will be ready and mcgrady might have shaked some rust off and watch out. i aint sayin we'll be one of the top 5 seeds but no lower than 9 and close to a playoff spot. this teams got heart,hunger,and ambition.
    -Never underestimate the heart of a champion-
  5. li z
    5. Posted by li z Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:44 pm EST

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    looks like Ariza and Brooks coming out party this year
  6. RicardoK
    6. Posted by RicardoK Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:53 pm EST

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    I have ariza on my fantasy team. he'd better win me some points this week.
  7. nbafreshmen
    7. Posted by nbafreshmen Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:59 pm EST

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    Hey visit www.nbafreshmen.com for great info on NBA rookies.
  8. Shazamm
    8. Posted by Shazamm Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:25 pm EST

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    I don't see any Behind the Boxscore for yesterday? Is there any?
  9. kshppatel
    9. Posted by kshppatel Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:34 pm EST

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    Brooks must play well for us to win this game. If we can get off to a strong start offensively I like our chances. We have to be dominant on the 3 point line. Go Rockets. Shock the world.. again!
  10. curtis
    10. Posted by curtis Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:35 pm EST

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    Skeets said earlier that KD was having some internet problems (Damn you, Comcast! Damn you to hell!). Hopefully it's resolved for tomorrow's BtB.
    And as a Rockets fan, I feel obligated to wish death and ill-will to all Jazz fans. Now let's get ready to rumble!
  11. marvin
    11. Posted by marvin Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:58 pm EST

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    rockets 99
    jazz 95
  12. Jay Monkey
    12. Posted by Jay Monkey Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:28 pm EST

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    its funny how locked in Rockets fans get on hating Utah. What's the deal? Jazz fans save their venom for the Lake show and SOMETIMES the Nuggets. every nba blog i've ever seen with Rockets fans on it has something about Utah. Its like a bitter one-way feud or something.
  13. waleks
    13. Posted by waleks Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:36 pm EST

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    8 players in double figures. Now that's a team effort. Aaron Brooks is looking like an All-Star Point Guard right now and Carl Landry has yet to miss a free throw.
  14. Carlos L
    14. Posted by Carlos L Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:39 pm EST

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    Rockets won!!!
  15. Justin Troy Cox
    15. Posted by Justin Troy Cox Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:59 pm EST

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    #12 Jay Monkey
    Are you not aware of the rivalry? As a Rockets fan, I will never forget when John Stockton scored that 3 pointer on Charles Barkley to knock us out of the playoffs. I was a little baller back then... :P
  16. Jeremy
    16. Posted by Jeremy Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:21 am EST

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    When will someone acknowledge that the rockets with yao/mcgrady and the rockets w/o either are not only two separate teams, but are somehow competing against one another?
  17. Anton
    17. Posted by Anton Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:33 am EST

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    #16 - It is not. Basically without Yao and McGrady, Houston works harder and faster since both Yao and McGrady slow the game down to a half-court style pace. It is not two teams but different styles adjusted to win games.
  18. curtis
    18. Posted by curtis Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:55 am EST

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    Post #15 is on point. That damn shot ruined the crawfish cookout we had that day. Although the real crime on that play wasn't Stockton's shot, or Barkley's slow feet. It was Karl Malone's illegal pick on Clyde Drexler (it was more of a let me grab you and hold on while my PG gets free) that got Stockton wide open.
    The animosity toward the Jazz franchise is real, but I really have no issue with Utah fans in general or even Jazz players except that @$$hat Carlos Boozer.
  19. luiscolafan
    19. Posted by luiscolafan Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:22 am EST

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    Jazz fans need to shut the F@@@ up, we don't hate the fans, we just hate the team UTAH
    Not the players, but the team!!!
    It does not matter who's playing for UTAH
    Besides we won last nights game even with the referies calling fouls on us that don't exsist!!!
    Nothing changes, We should of won 150 - 96
    I hate the (LAKERS- BOSTON - UTAH) all because to many people Favor them (Referies, highlights, Fans
    Charles Barkley, I mean every one alway's hates on Houston in every way, they said we would be the worse team in the NBA already!!!
    What kind of S*** is that
    Go HOUSTON ROCKETS!!!
  20. Vince
    20. Posted by Vince Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:38 am EST

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    LOL at #2, hope you lost money from your prediction.
  21. blathersby
    21. Posted by blathersby Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:51 am EST

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    No, luiscolafan, we pretty much hate jazzhands fans as well.
  22. shotgunmanny
    22. Posted by shotgunmanny Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:50 am EST

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    The Blazers problem is COACHING. Nate is a college coach NOT an NBA. He knows that there is a lot of talent in that team, but he dono't know how to use it. Please, forget blaming the players. IT IS THE COACH subpar performance
    Shotgunmanny
  23. fred
    23. Posted by fred Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:28 pm EST

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    I think we're gonna be alright this year!!! i like what i'm seeing,hustle,hustle,hustle.

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