Game Notes: 11/6

I am uncomfortable with the theme of "school keeping me from watching the Thursday night games in their entirety" that is developing this year, but at least I get to see a little bit of Rudy in game two and hear the Chucksters give props to Thad Young. Being a simple man, it is small things such as these that make my existence bearable. By which I mean... why do you never get rebounds anymore Thaddeous?

Philadelphia – 88 at Orlando – 98

Iggy posted a near triple double (16-11-8) on a night that saw Andre Miller attempt an incomprehensible 24 Field Goals… The only bright side of which was the offensive rebound opportunity which came out of that, leading to big nights on the glass for Sammy, Brand, and the aforementioned Iggy. Thad Young led the team in scoring with 19, but didn’t really surround the points with much of anything (1 three, 4 boards, 1 steal). On the Magic side of things, Rashard and Turk posted lines that were nearly identical, and both very nice if you don’t take FG% into consideration. Jameer Nelson had a fine game (16-4-9-2-0), and Mickael Pietrus filled in the gaps well getting 1 three, steal, and block. Dwight had a bit of a down night, but still came away with 3 blocks, so it wasn’t a total loss. No one on either bench really did anything of note.

Houston – 99 at Portland – 101 (OT)

I watched a touch of this game, in the third quarter when Rudy came in and was on FIRE. He is a very impressive offensive player. Meanwhile, Brandon Roy’s struggles from the field continued, as he shot 6/18 (this includes the three that sealed the game) in route to 17-7-5… which is a fine line, but he also had 5 TO’s. Steve Blake contributed a quiet 8 points and 8 assists on inoffensive %’s and 1 TO, LaMarcus Aldridge remembered to get rebounds tonight but forgot how to shoot FT’s but nevertheless stepped up for the prime time game posting 27-9-2-0-3 on 12/20 from the field and no TO’s. Batum started again, but Outlaw was killer off the bench tonight, popping off for 14-13-1-1-2 with 2 threes. Rudy had some nice numbers too, but did not extend himself past the scoring cats (points, %’s, 3ptm). T-Mac put up a killer line in 44 minutes, even keeping the %’s clean while collecting 30-7-8-2-1… I would have thought he was playing the Mavs! The rest of the Rockets though, ranged from kind of bad (Artest), to just downright terrible considering draft position etc. (Yao), to comical (Foul-a-Palooza, as hosted by Carl Landry).

Things to watch: Aaron Brooks received more PT than Rafer Alston tonight. Curious because Alston is the starter and this was a fairly tight game throughout. Perhaps a changing of the guard is in order? Until one of these guys figuratively kills off the other (insert Jayson Williams joke?) neither will produce consistently… I mean more minutes could open up if more guys blow the doors off B.O.C.¹ Brent Barry like Rudy did tonight (that slow motion crossover at the top of the key… SICK), but for the most part Houston seems to have run conventional line ups this year, so even that is a bit of a stretch.

1: Blood Of Champion. In this case specifically, pointing out Brent Barry's heritage and blood tie to his father (former NBA Champion and Finals MVP) Rick Barry.