Preview: Kings vs. Rockets

by Tom Ziller on Dec 14, 2010 12:01 PM PST in Commentary

STARTING LINEUPS & INJURIES

The Kings will start Beno Udrih and Luther Head in the backcourt, with Donte Greene at small forward and Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins up front. Tyreke Evans is out. Everyone else is believed to be available. Expect Francisco Garcia to get into the game early, and expect Udrih to play a slew of minutes.

Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin start in Houston's backcourt. Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes start up front right now. Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks are out. Brad Miller, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill are most likely to play decent minutes off the bench.

SCOUTING REPORT

Please check out HighTops' scouting report.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME

Jason Thompson vs. Luis Scola. Scola is bigtime, a huge scorer, solid rebounder and artful defender. Thompson, depending on the wind, can be all of those things -- and honestly, don't you wonder if Thompson's eventual upside is Scola? -- but isn't consistently. With Evans out, the Kings definitely need J.T. The King in full force.

PLAYER TO WATCH

We are back to watching DeMarcus, to see how he handles an undersized but brilliant center in Chuck Hayes. I will also be watching Chuck Hayes' free throw stroke, because ... well, come on.

GIVEAWAY GAME

Today's entry is posted on Sactown Royalty's Facebook page.

DETAILS?

Tip-off? 5:30 PM PT. Game threads? 5:30 and 7 PM. Kings? Let's go.

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Comments

Hate to break it to you Tom

But Chuck got rid of the hitch this year. It’s still ugly as sin, but no hitch anymore.

As for JT/Scola comparison, JT will have to learn a few post moves for that to happen. Wouldn’t mind him learning that ice cream scoop/Dream Shake hybrid move Scola is so effective with.

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by Aykis16 on Dec 14, 2010 12:07 PM PST reply actions

Here's an interesting fact

How was Houston’s roster built?
Three players were drafted. Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks who are injured; and Patrick Patterson who was just recalled from the D-League

Three Players were signed as FA’s. Chuck Hayes the starting Center. Brad Miller the backup PF. And, Ishmael Smith the 2nd backup pg.

The other nine Players were acquired thru trades Battier in 2006, Scola in 2007 and the rest between 2009-2010.

I guess it is easier to stay competitive when your big man goes down and he doesn’t have a long term contract.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Dec 14, 2010 1:08 PM PST reply actions

Plus

They made trades with both the Knicks and the Kings. Over the past decade its been proven wise to make trades with the Knicks and Kings…

huh? wha?

by effin steve on Dec 14, 2010 4:49 PM PST up reply actions

Beno and last seasons bigs have done well against Houston

This from the Rockets game notes:

Spencer Hawes led six Kings in double-figure scoring with 24 points (10-16 FG) and nine rebounds at Houston (11/21/09), while Beno Udrih had 18 points (8-18 FG, 2-4 3FG) and eight assists
… Jason Thompson topped the Kings with 27 points (9-15 FG, 9-10 FT) and 11 boards (9 offensive) at Sacramento (11/13/09).

Somehow the team needs to get the point to DeMarcus, that he’s a Center and not a PF or SG. As Bill Walton would say, ‘Get in the paint, And, take it to the hole Big Man’

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Dec 14, 2010 1:18 PM PST reply actions

Go Kings!

Here’s hoping for a good game. I’m for sure missing this game due to work and will only catch the first half of tomorrows game. Alas,I will be on STR only in spirit, an awesome spirit ;P

Michae Bluth - "Clear as the Ann on plain's face."

Leela -" Man, I'm sore all over. I feel like I just went ten rounds with mighty Thor"
Fry - "I feel like I was mauled by Jesus. "

Homer - " When I held that gun in my hand, I felt a surge of power…like God must feel when he’s holding a gun."

Tobias - "Where the f*** are my hard-boiled eggs?!?"

by Apoet on Dec 14, 2010 1:41 PM PST reply actions

I plan to go to bed tonight around 7, so I'll mostly be here in spirit only as well

I feel that our combined absence will result in an utter lack of awesome tonight. Oh well.

In all seriousness, I think we can win this game and I hope we play well. I think confidence is a big part of it, and with any luck we can at least be competitive and maybe even pull out the W.

"Uh oh, we've drawn Judge Snyder." "Is that bad?" "Well, he's had it in for me ever since I kinda...ran over his dog." "You did?" "Well, replace the word 'kinda' with the word 'repeatedly' and the word 'dog' with 'son'...."

by Christina_J on Dec 14, 2010 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

I'll take a look at this game

And maybe have a good laugh or two. Can’t wait for Pooh Jeter to get some vital minutes off the bench.

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by Hit4TheCycle on Dec 14, 2010 4:05 PM PST reply actions

Good thing they gave some time off for Tyreke

Last few games watching Tyreke has been horrendous. Time to see DMC in action and hopefully he won’t get in foul trouble. Our back court without Tyreke is by far the worst in the league. Only team that i think comes close is Cleveland.

by Kenneth256 on Dec 14, 2010 5:16 PM PST reply actions