The Hornets come into the game on a two-game winning streak, all alone in 5th place out West, just 2.5 behind OKC for home-court advantage in the first round. They set off on a season long five game road trip following this game, so taking advantage of a home game against a sub .500 team and getting a win would be huge. Houston, meanwhile, is also undefeated since the All-Star break, having gone 3-0 while averaging 118.3 PPG.
With Aaron Brooks out of the picture, Kyle Lowry has solidified his spot in the backcourt alongside Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger has taken over for Shane Battier at small forward, increasing the firepower that the Rockets have in the starting lineup. Add Scola to the mix, and Houston trots out four starters who are capable of scoring 20-30 points on any given night. And that is exactly what Houston tries to do; outscore people. They don’t have one player on their team, bench included, that is considered an above average defender for their position, and it might be a stretch to say they even have one average defender.
The Hornets have had problems with this kind of team in the past, as unconventional offenses that don’t allow the Hornets to set up have been able to score on New Orleans, and the Hornets just don’t have the firepower to keep up. The Hornets are 2-0 against Houston so far this season, but those Houston teams were different and the last time these two met the game could have easily gone the Rockets way. Houston led by as many as 16 before a ferocious comeback that led to a Hornets overtime victory.
That game saw Kyle Lowry simply own CP3, but in a surprise twist Jarrett Jack had his best game as a Hornet, scoring 23 points and being +20 in 37 minutes. That means that in the 16 minutes he was not on the floor, the Hornets were outscored by 15 points. Wow. West and Okafor were also able to take advantage of the undersized Rockets in that game, going off for 29 and 17 respectively. Okafor went 7-8 in that game, hit all of his free throws, and also produced a game high 15 boards in the victory.
The X factor tonight for the Hornets might be newly acquired forward Carl Landry, who started off his career with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets front line has no size (unless you want to count D-League star Hasheem Thabeet), and Carl Landry should be able to rack up minutes at both the 4 and the 5. He is capable of covering any player on Houston’s front line and has a matchup advantage on the offensive end against any of their bigs. In the past, Houston got to rest when David West needed a breather, but Landry should have similar success against this suspect front line.
On Houston’s side, the X factor is almost certainly going to be 2nd year small forward Chase Budinger. Over the last two games, Budinger has responded to his new role as a starter by putting up 30 against Cleveland and 27 last night against New Jersey. Coach Adelman has given him the green light from three and he has responded by taking 12 of them in those two games, drilling 7. But he is not just a distance shooter that camps out on the line, as is evidenced by the fact that he has gone 8 of 9 from the free throw line in both games as well. Budinger has the complete package on the offensive end and the Hornets can’t allow him to get hot if they want to escape with a victory.
Other News and Notes:
– CP3 averaging 18, 9, and 6 since he got the All-Star break and the days of rest that came with it. The brace has also come off and CP3 has commented recently that he feels like he has his legs back underneath him. A game like tonight’s will be a good test to see exactly where CP3 is, in regards to his overall game and ability to push the tempo.
– Hornets have won last 5 games against Houston and covered in all 5 of those games. that is good to know, considering that the line for tonight’s game is Hornets -6. I think the Hornets cover yet again. Hornets 107 Houston 96.
– Big News coming soon from Hornets247- and we just want to make sure you guys are checking back often to see what it is. Joe tells me that Mardi Gras has just started up in the Big Easy and he is concerned that fans will be too drunk to log on over the next few weeks, but I have more faith than that. So, stay just sober enough to stay away from Grenades and to check back with Hornets247.com.
– Thanks, as always to Dariusz for the banner. Aren’t those All-Star jerseys sweet?
– And because I have been so pleased as of late with the hilarious comments, it is time once again to Cap……. That…….. Pic!!!!!!
47 responses to “Game On: Rockets @ Hornets (Live Chat!)”
Caption: “Since finding out he will be out for the rest of the season, Yao has decided to stay busy with Shirtless Asian Speed walking to pick up the ladies”
Let’s hope Landry gets back where he left off. So basically we have two versions of DX for 48 minutes? I can’t imagine how amazing that would be.
Caption: “I’m only getting paid $18 mil to play in 5 games. I better work harder so I can get a little more money per game.”
Caption Part 2 “(ESPN reported a slim chance that Yao would play 2/27 vs Hornets.) Allegedly CP3 treated Yao and his 4 wives out for a Pre-Mardi Gras celebration. Only to find out this was Yao’s first time drinking: Yao reportedly was slipped a roofie and “all hell go here I come” Yao was no where to be found until paparazzi snapped this shot of him and his 4 wives running to eachother full speed just moments before the collision that would ensure him sitting out for this game. Needless to say Yao was rushed to the Hospital. Later on officials commented that preliminary toxicalogy reports high levels of “ecstacy” / “speed” and his blood alcohol level upon testing was .079 (ala jjack sorry)
Nice job CP!!
Caption: After Yao’s injury – “We can rebuild him, we have the technology”
love it. million dollar man reference
Time to catch OKC!!! Hope they lose to the Lakers today (I wish they both could lose). It’s going to be exciting seeing what the team looks likes at full strength. This win is important, with the up coming road trip, I think it’s like 5 games in 7 days next week. Go Hornets!!
Caption:
Now, if I run the opposite way, they have to notice me. Okay okay here they come, “hello ladies”!
Yaos new career: people hurdling!
Caption: After what can only be described as a “Craig’s Dad in Friday level bathroom visit”, Yao’s hurried attempts to escape the scene of the crime before the Olympic speed-walking team hit the showers will be foiled by the poncho-size shirt he accidentally left behind.
Is there game chat tonight?
There is now.
Caption: “With a height almost twice that of an average woman in China, we observe this physical specimen in his natural habitat trying to seduce a female, but to no extent are they impressed.”
Caption 3: (after a full day of watching nascar Rockets Center Yao Ming was trying to tell fellow asians what he learner, forgetting to dress he hit the track and yelled out “Rà ng tÄ zuò‬‪ Nascar (è®©å¥¹åš Nascar)” this was later translated to “GIT’R DUN Nascar”
Caption – “Oh! So this is what it feels like to be able to use my feet!”
Caption — “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH GODZILLA”
Won’t be able to make the chat tonight. I’ll be at the game. GEAUX HORNETS!
Caption 2: “Maybe if I close my eyes they won’t see how freakishly huge I am”
Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then
Against the Ming
We were runnin’ against the Ming.
Caption: Yao passes by the rest of the Rocket Big men while recuperating from his injury. While Scola, Hayes, Patterson, & Hill may not have Yao’s size… they say they are plenty big enough to fill the hole at center.
“those girls are 6 year olds… the olympic comittee doesn’t have to know!!”
OR
“Yaos’ day job”
The sad part about this picture, is that his shorts are 7XL
Caption: “O nooo!!! Run ladies, my wife just showed up!!!” -Yao Ming
Man- I saw the 5th seed in the standings today and I got excited. 2.4 behind OKC? That’s doable! Especially since Perk is out, they lost their third best player, and the Hornets got Carl. These are all big games, because the Hornets aren’t just playing for the 8th spot, just to get blown out. Seriously guys, that second round is looking realistic. I might take Monty’s lock down (and I mean freaking lock down) defense +MVBeeCp3 against the Durant/Westbrook chuckers in a 7 game series. Hornets vs. Suns? Grizz? Whew! Let’s hope the Hornets win some games, lock in the rotation, and get some momentum going into the postseason. Who wants to see Paul go off for a big scoring night, just so we know he still can?
Caption: “I . . . will . . . catch . . . *gasp* . . . you . . . *gasp* . . . Bieber!”
COACH: “Ok Yao, you can stop running when you see the four women walking”
YAO: “Mmm, my T-rex legs are getting sore, those walkers must be close……”
If we can keep them under 100 we should be good.
Kind of off topic, but i saw that the CAVS bought out Leon Powe. Hes a verteran forward who has good playoff experience with Boston. Memphis is interested in him. The Hornets could use another big man to bolster the bench…Anyone interested?
He hasn’t really been healthy in the last couple years as far as I remember
Caption – “Opening his eyes as wide as he can, Yoa Ming checks out the sweetest 14 yr old olympic poontang China has to offer.”
funny captions LOL i’ll try
caption
Yao: Hey girls, check out my hot bod and my cool angry face.
Chinese girls: *silence*
*awkward moment*
caption: “CRAP! i forgot they run on the left side in China.”
caption: “those girls are taller than Chuck Hayes”
nice jersey smiht lol
GOD…Jack is killing us defensively.
I AM SO ####ING SICK OF THESE 4TH QUARTER CHOKING SEMINARS
The curse of Shaquie Chan
Shocking L. CP3 owned again by an average PG. The team wasn’t into it, the crowd wasn’t into it.. At least a good game from landry……
In that posession when TA airballed, what about driving Trevor?!
Well i’ll try to stay positive as much as i can. Happy Mardi Gras hornets nation!!
The crowd qwasn’t into it? They were pretty loud, man. At least it sounded that way from where i was sitting in 313.
Your sister’s favorite player is officially the latest inhabitant of Monty’s Doghouse!!
when Ariza pumped fake he could’ve even jumped into the defender for free throws, a fade away air ball will do though I guess…
Another example of Monty’s poor coaching. He is nothing more than an assistant making head coach money.
haha yeah right
I can’t believe we lost! Where is that urgency? We are only a few losses out of the playoffs! Wtf
Poor coaching by Monty (that cursed small ball again, no Aaron Gray, too little of the hot Belly, too much of the horrible Jack). When we get outrebounded by Houston it’s obvious that we need our one decent 7-footer in the game. Bellineli should have been in at the end of the game when we needed a 3-pointer, not Okafor. That’s a no-brainer…
Poor execution in the 2nd half especially by Paul, but also by West, Green, and Okafor (lots of short balls and fumble fingers) that had nothing to do with coaching, however.
That run by Houston of 5 straight 3s killed us. Somehow we make every team look like 3-point shooting wizards. What also killed us was the Dick show in the 3rd. Bavetta always screws us, and tonight was no exception. West and Paul got mugged throughout the game, while Martin was getting free throws for being breathed upon. CP3 still should have made at least 3 of his 4 missed layups, however.
Well Belli starts to play better and seems to be getting Marcus treatment…. sigh
34 pts in the second half to a team “that isn’t going to stop you”.
All the players on the team and Coach can’t put together a legit offensive unit in crunch time?
So, your the Hornets, up by 15 points at halftime, with Chris Paul as your leader … what’s the end result? Hornets lose by 2pts!
Woooow! I’m so sick of this crap man. It’s funny how CP3’s friend LeBron experienced, almost, the same exact loss to the hands of the Knicks.
I know what Paul and James have done in the past … and its phenomenal, but are they really clutch leaders anymore? To lose a game when your up by 15 points -at one point- speaks volumes to whether or not you have a true ‘Superstar’ leading your team.
Atleast Lebron can say he lost to Carmelo Anthony, but CP3, Kyle Lowry? Come on dude, not for a third time this season; he literally owns you now … by rule of ownership CP3 has to do whatever Kyle Lowry tells him to do.
CP3 … get a jumper or find your jumper which ever you prefer … and loosen up! Stop trying to be so perfect … stop trying to be the ‘White Swan’. Play the game freely like you did in 07-08.
L_REAZY