(63-19) First Round Wraps Up [4-0]

Tell stories based on your franchise and career mode games here.

Re: Ending 2011 Emphatically [24-8]

Postby karlsanada10 on Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:02 pm

Wow, you're blazing fast for quite a while now.:)) Updating every week, right?

I hope you get him a championship ring.:D
User avatar
karlsanada10
 
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:33 pm

December Recap

Postby Axel The Great on Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:34 am

December Recap


The month of December was another successful one for the Houston Rockets. They went 11-4 for the month, and the story behind that is Kevin Martin. Martin went on a scoring rampage the entire month, averaging 32.1 points and scoring 30 or more in 10 out of those 15 games played, including a season high 43 in a win against the Washington Wizards.

But the Rockets are pretty much being lifted single-handedly by Martin. Everyone else, Yao Ming, Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry, really did not play up to par this month. Scola had some terrible shooting games, Yao would disappear completely from games due to his passiveness, and Lowry did not score as expected, though he had an excellent month in the assists department. The Rockets bench did give Martin more than their fair share of help however, as Courtney Lee and Patrick Patterson played very well. The wins continue to pile up however, despite some minor struggles from the core, and hopefully they'll be able to pick things up as the season goes on.

December's Hot Headlines
Rockets Trade Brooks... At Last
After months of requesting a trade, Aaron Brooks's wish has finally been granted, but he took a reluctant Chase Budinger with him as well. Brooks and Budinger went to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a 2012 first round pick last week, and the draft pick was the key part of the steal for the Houston Rockets.

"Everyone is aware of what Aaron (Brooks) is capable of. He just had a down year last year due to the rise of Kevin Martin, and was demoted to the bench this year due to Kyle Lowry's play. The draft pick is ultimately what the franchise needed. With a talented draft class coming up, it will be worth it," Rockets interim GM Axel Gomez said.

Read more...

Nash: "Up to Management to Trade Me"
After acquiring Aaron Brooks and Chase Budinger from the Houston Rockets, the Phoenix Suns have shown promise for the future. Brooks has already had two games in which he scored 30 or more points, while Budinger has had one game with 20 more points. Meanwhile, Steve Nash's minutes were cut in the four games the Suns have played since the trade. Rumors continue to fly about whether or not Nash wants a trade. Nash spoke to the public on this subject.

"I just want to play basketball. It is up to management to trade me; I'm letting them make that decision. Whatever choice they make, I agree with them wholeheartedly," Nash said in a post-game conference after a blowout loss to the Washington Wizards. Nash has stated that he'd prefer to stay loyal to Phoenix, however, he also stated that he wouldn't mind playing for a contending team.

Read more...

Knicks, A Huge Fall From Grace
The New York Knicks, after a 15-3 start to the season in November, have dropped to just 18-16 going 3-13 in the month of December. Their superstar Carmelo Anthony played just one of those games, missing 15 games due to injury. It can be agreed that Anthony's absence completely destroyed the team, thus their lack of wins. He did, however, return near the end of the month, so hopefully that gets the Knicks back on their feet.

"I knew it was too good to be true," said one Knicks fan, "every time the sun is shining on the Knicks something always has to happen. This month has shown us the true value of Melo; his essential role on the team was under appreciated by almost everyone."

Read more...

Magic's Howard: "Get Me More Help, Or I'll Help Someone Else"
Sources say that Dwight Howard has threatened the Orlando Magic front office that he'll request a trade if they don't swing a deal to turn their season around. Orlando is 15-20 so far this season, struggling to get at the .500 mark. Injuries have derailed the Magic to an extent, and Howard has had to pick up the slack all season long.

There are many teams aggressively seeking Howard, and rumor has it that he may go to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

Read more...

New Reign in the Pacific Division
After years of consistent playoff appearances from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, it looks like the standings may be turning upside down this season. The Sacramento Kings sit atop the Pacific Division with an 18-15 record, followed closely by the 16-14 Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Clippers sit behind them at borderline playoff contention with a 17-16 record.

Meanwhile, the Lakers and the Suns are 15-18 and 9-22 respectively. If this keeps up, the young up and coming aforementioned teams will reign the Pacific Division for years to come; all three are set for the future with their young players.

Read more...


Players of the Month


PlayerConferenceStatistics
LeBron James (MIA)East Player27.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.6 bpg, 49.1% FG, 34.6% 3P, 81.1% FT
Kevin Durant (OKC)West Player31.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.7 spg, 1.8 bpg, 51.3% FG, 39.6% 3P, 89.2% FT
Brandon Knight (TOR)East Rookie15.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.4% FG, 84.1% FT
Xavier Nelson (LAL)West Rookie15.4 ppg, 6.8 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 spg, 35.2 %FG, 80.5% FT


Players of the Week


WeekEast PlayerWest Player
November 27-December 3LeBron James (MIA)Kevin Durant (OKC)
December 4-10LeBron James (MIA)Kevin Durant (OKC)
December 11-17Dwyane Wade (MIA)Kevin Durant (OKC)
December 18-24LeBron James (MIA)Kevin Durant (OKC)
December 25-31LeBron James (MIA)Chris Paul (NOH)


NLSCer Stats

Xavier Nelson (LAL)
33 GP | 33 GS | 32.3 MPG *Rest of stats listed above*

Justine Jones (CHA)
32 GP | 32 GS | 14.0 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 3.3 APG | 39.4% FG | 71.4% FT | 28.6 MPG

Thierry Tirieux (MEM)
33 GP | 0 GS | 12.7 PPG | 4.8 APG | 2.5 RPG | 41.9% FG | 68.2% FT | 24.5 MPG

Zee Otoo (WAS)
24 GP | 10 GS | 4.2 PPG | 2.0 RPG | 35.1% FG | 41.9% 3P | 75.0% FT | 9.6 MPG

George Koukoulis (MIL)
33 GP | 0 GS | 5.1 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 1.2 APG | 37.6% FG | 75.8% FT | 9.7 MPG

Liam Washburn (POR)
5 GP | 5 GS | 19.0 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 5.4 APG | 41.0% FG | 40.0% 3P | 86.2% FT | 34.2 MPG

Willie Lewis (UTA)
5 GP | 5 GS | 21.8 PPG | 9.4 RPG | 2.8 APG | 43.6% FG | 31.6% 3P | 77.8% FT | 29.6 MPG

Valdis Iesalnieks (SAS)
2 GP | 2 GS | 11.5 PPG | 11.0 RPG | 1.0 APG | 1.0 BPG | 33.3% FG | 70.0% FT | 31.0 MPG

Players in blue are in the D-League, thus their D-League stats are shown.

Image
ImageImage

Image
ImageImage

Team Stats
Image
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Re: December Recap

Postby karlsanada10 on Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:55 am

Can't believe SA and LAL are deep down on the playoffs picture.o.O Same with Orlando Magic in the East.
User avatar
karlsanada10
 
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:33 pm

Re: December Recap

Postby hova- on Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:23 pm

Kevin Martin in the .50/.40/.90 club, hell yeah. You're still going strong.
User avatar
hova-
Two time Hall Of Famer
 
Posts: 5160
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:33 am
Location: Augsburg, Germany

Re: December Recap

Postby Justine. on Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:45 pm

Considering how the Suns is performing, that pick is something. Great deal (Y) I've been checking here always but not posting comments so sorry. Really happy to see my player doing good, and our standing is really opposite IRL :lol:
User avatar
Justine.
Novakaine!
 
Posts: 1320
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:53 pm
Location: Philippines

Re: December Recap

Postby kibaxx7 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:58 am

Good to see the Suns struggling :wink: Loving the headlines.
× Club Atlético Independiente. ×
× Watching:
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
User avatar
kibaxx7
炭治郎
 
Posts: 12672
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:34 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Re: December Recap

Postby Axel The Great on Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:16 am

karlsanada10 wrote:Can't believe SA and LAL are deep down on the playoffs picture.o.O Same with Orlando Magic in the East.

2K sim engine is not doing its job. :P
hova- wrote:Kevin Martin in the .50/.40/.90 club, hell yeah. You're still going strong.

K-Mart's been excellent all season long. Third best player in the league imo. (Y)
Justine. wrote:Considering how the Suns is performing, that pick is something. Great deal (Y) I've been checking here always but not posting comments so sorry. Really happy to see my player doing good, and our standing is really opposite IRL :lol:

Definitely hoping the Suns tank the season so we can get a top 3 draft pick. (Y) We can definitely say your player has made an impact in Charlotte, you're kicking some ass with S-Jax alongside you.
Thierry • wrote:Good to see the Suns struggling :wink: Loving the headlines.

I think the headlines are a cool addition. Raises awareness of what's going on outside the Rockets in this association. Hopefully the Suns continue to struggle. :D



Guys I have spent quite a few hours looking for possible trades to help out other teams. I've come across a three-team deal that I'm a tad too hesitant to pull the trigger on. It involves Steve Nash, and the teams are the Knicks, Clippers, and Suns. Here goes:

Knicks get: Steve Nash, Sean Williams.
Williams is just a toss in to balance out salaries a little. The Knicks are getting a good deal because they are re-uniting Nash and Amar'e, and that can possibly either make them a big run-and-gun team, or Melo can destroy the chemistry by chucking up shots. The Knicks were a good team (in this association) last year with three players (Melo, Stat, Billups) that require a ton of shots, and with Nash just needing to assist, it may actually work out in terms of 2K's sim engine.

Clippers get: Chauncey Billups, Marcin Gortat
Clippers unload Kaman, and pass the torch to DeAndre Jordan. Meanwhile, they get a good backup center in return because while Jordan is in foul trouble, Gortat can still provide the good defensive presence that is needed. Knicks have to give up Billups to make room for Nash, and it adds some of the real life spice by having him go to the Clips.

Suns get: Anthony Randolph, Mo Williams, Chris Kaman, First round picks from both NY and LAC
Suns essentially just give up Nash, as Sean Williams isn't a big loss. Anthony Randolph is a good 2K sim engine player, I remember last season he was averaging 12 points off the bench for New York. With Mo, they add depth to the PG spot and both Brooks and him can make a deadly scoring duo if they have it going. One of the reasons I'm hesitant about this trade is I have to force them to take on Kaman's contract. I'm not too sure if it's expiring or if it has a year or two left (if it's the former, then great, but I'll have to check). A rebuilding team doesn't want big contracts like that, but they are getting a good upgrade offensively at the center position. The first round picks can also somewhat make up for the one they gave to me.

So what do you guys think? Fair deal? If not, who's getting raped? Do you have other suggestions?
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Lamrock on Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:59 am

Bad deal for Phoenix if they also give up Gortat.
Image
User avatar
Lamrock
 
Posts: 10936
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby karlsanada10 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:31 am

^Not really because they will get Kaman and a few round picks. Good deal imo.
User avatar
karlsanada10
 
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:33 pm

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Lamrock on Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:57 am

Marcin Gortat is younger than Kaman and better than him too - at least in real life. However, this association started a while back, so Gortat might not have very good ratings here.
Image
User avatar
Lamrock
 
Posts: 10936
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby qfrmcpt310 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:36 pm

I think it's pretty fair. It's for Steve so yeah, I like it.
Image
User avatar
qfrmcpt310
 
Posts: 857
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:42 am

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby kibaxx7 on Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:57 pm

Suns get a couple of picks so that makes it fair for me. Go ahead!
× Club Atlético Independiente. ×
× Watching:
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
User avatar
kibaxx7
炭治郎
 
Posts: 12672
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:34 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby rise on Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:51 pm

Fair trade for all sides. Do it. (Y)
User avatar
rise
But here, at the top of the world, where I raise my hands and I clench my fists...
Contributor
 
Posts: 5266
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:52 am
Location: buzz city

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Stress Fracture on Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:53 pm

With the involvement of the draft picks, it's a very good trade. Phoenix can now start rebuilding. I just do hope Melo doesn't chuck up shots.
benji wrote:LeBron is such a choker. And people were talking about him as an all-time great. As having possibly surpassed Kobe. What a joke.

velvet bliss wrote:Andrew, you the real MVP.

Andrew wrote:He who flops and flails to the Finals and a title, flops and flails best.
Stress Fracture
 
Posts: 2949
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:03 pm

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Houndy on Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:19 am

It's a good deal imo
User avatar
Houndy
Whoa, the Mavs are ballin'
 
Posts: 3051
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 9:55 am
Location: Dallas, Texas

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Martti. on Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:04 am

I'll say do it. (Y)
User avatar
Martti.
#HeatLifer
 
Posts: 8101
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:19 am

Re: Steve Nash Trade Proposal: Your Thoughts?

Postby Axel The Great on Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:16 am

Thanks everyone for your opinions, looks like the majority are saying it's a fair deal. (Y) Any other deals I'm hesitant about I'll come back and ask again.
Lamrock wrote:Marcin Gortat is younger than Kaman and better than him too - at least in real life. However, this association started a while back, so Gortat might not have very good ratings here.

IRL, Gortat is better than Kaman, but in my association, Kaman is rated 76 and Gortat 68, so Kaman is better, especially since he's had really good games against me before. I'd rate Kaman the better offensive player irl and in the game so it's not that bad a rip-off for Phoenix to receive Kaman.

Edit: And Kaman's contract is in fact expiring. $12 million comes off the books for Phoenix in the off-season, perfect chance to sign a free agent. (Y)
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby Axel The Great on Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:58 pm

Image

[24-8] Houston Rockets 99-104 Oklahoma City Thunder [22-11]

Image Image
Kevin Martin most definitely outdid Kevin Durant in this one. | Scola with another double-double.
Image Image
Westbrook was the hidden key to OKC's victory. | Kendrick Perkins had 23 rebounds, outdoing both Yao and Scola.


Both teams had a relatively slow start in the first quarter, especially Oklahoma City. Houston started 14-7, but the Thunder clawed their way back into it to trail by only four after one. The Rockets were dominating the Thunder on the glass, holding a +8 advantage for most of the game.

Kevin Durant kept his Thunder in the game in the first half. He had 21 points, scoring three triples, at the half. The second quarter was high scoring, with Oklahoma City able to tie the game at halftime.

The third quarter began with both teams playing a very stagnant offense. It took a while, but Houston edged the Thunder for the lead, with Durant slowing down. Durant scored only 11 points in the second half, finishing with 32 on 14/34 shooting and 3/14 from downtown. The real key however, was Russell Westbrook. Westbrook had a double-double of 23 points and 14 dimes, shooting 9/18 from the field and helping the Thunder to retake the lead in the fourth quarter.

It looked as if all the hard work put in by the Thunder was for nothing, as Kevin Martin knocked down a deep trey with the shot clock expiring to put his team up 97-94. Oklahoma City then scored two consecutive buckets, and that was when Luis Scola answered with an easy 10-foot jumpshot to regain the lead at 99-98.

After being quiet the entire second half, Durant knocked down a fadeaway jumpshot to put the Thunder up 100-99, and after missing another bucket, Houston was forced to foul and that was when Oklahoma City sealed the deal at the free throw line.

Martin finished with 35 points, six boards, six dimes for the Rockets, shooting 12/26 from the field. Scola had a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards, shooting an astonishing 6/7 from the field.

A catalyst for the Thunder was Kendrick Perkins. He had a huge double-double of 12 points and 23 boards. His toughness inside was what kept Yao Ming at bay and quiet.

Notes: Oklahoma City shot 48% from the field, and only turned it over seven times. Houston meanwhile shot just 42% from the field, turning it over 12 times. Houston edged out Oklahoma City at the line, going 20/22 from there compared to just 10/15 for OKC.

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 35 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 12/26 FG, 2/3 3P, 9/9 FT
Luis Scola - 15 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 6/7 FG, 3/4 FT
Kyle Lowry - 14 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 6/13 FG
Yao Ming - 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5/12 FG

Thunder:
Kevin Durant - 32 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 14/34 FG, 3/14 3P
Russell Westbrook - 23 points, 14 assists, 3 rebounds, 9/18 FG, 5/6 FT
James Harden - 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 5/7 FG
Kendrick Perkins - 12 points, 23 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/8 FG
Nate Robinson - 10 points, 5 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 5/14 FG
Serge Ibaka - 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 3/4 FG

Image24 30 25 20 99
Image20 34 21 29 104


[24-9] Houston Rockets 109-104 Utah Jazz [9-23]
Simmed


Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 32 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 10/21 FG, 11/11 FT
Yao Ming - 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 5/10 FG, 10/11 FT
Luis Scola - 20 points, 11 rebounds, 9/17 FG
Kyle Lowry - 13 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 4/4 FG
Thabo Sefolosha - 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 3/3 FG

Jazz:
Al Jefferson - 29 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 11/18 FG, 7/8 FT
Devin Harris - 21 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 5/15 FG, 10/11 FT
Paul Millsap - 18 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 8/12 FG
JJ Barea - 12 points, 9 assists, 1 rebound, 4/9 FG, 3/3 FT

Image20 29 37 23 109
Image27 30 17 30 104
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Re: Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby Cruzerr on Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:25 pm

OKC and Memphis are one of the tougher teams to go against, if you ask me. Nice to see this going :)
"Say whatever you want, m*therf*cker. Just say my name"
User avatar
Cruzerr
 
Posts: 1412
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:36 am
Location: Estonia

Re: Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby Axel The Great on Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:01 pm

Memphis hasn't been that hard to play against, but OKC is definitely difficult. I wasted the opportunity to beat them because Durant was throwing up shots left and right. Westbrook really bailed him out.

I might have this go on pause for about a week or so. Schoolwork and work piling up, there's hardly any time to make room for an hour and a half to play one 2K11 game. In the meantime I might get the next chapter up.
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Re: Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby hova- on Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:07 pm

23 boards for Perkins? Looks like he was beasting against Yao down low.
User avatar
hova-
Two time Hall Of Famer
 
Posts: 5160
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:33 am
Location: Augsburg, Germany

Re: Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby shadowgrin on Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:33 pm

The cheesy overused (Thunder Strikes) title brought me here.
HE'S USING HYPNOSIS!
JaoSming2KTV wrote:its fun on a bun
shadowgrin
Doesn't negotiate with terrorists. NLSC's Jefferson Davis. The Questioneer
 
Posts: 23230
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2002 6:21 am
Location: In your mind

Re: Offense Blunders, Thunder Strikes [25-9]

Postby Axel The Great on Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:41 am

hova- wrote:23 boards for Perkins? Looks like he was beasting against Yao down low.

Yep. Yao has been struggling as of late, definitely not helping his push for another All-Star appearance but even so, he leads West centers in votes. :?
shadowgrin wrote:The cheesy overused (Thunder Strikes) title brought me here.

I'll have to think of something else before it becomes cliche. :)

Rest of Week 11 recap next.
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

4th Quarter, Like A Bosh [26-10]

Postby Axel The Great on Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:41 am

Image
Part II

[25-9] Houston Rockets 98-91 Oklahoma City Thunder

Image Image
Kyle Lowry lent Kevin Martin a hand in this one. | Patrick Patterson also chipped in 12 points off the bench.
Image Image
It was a struggle, but Durant got 35 points. | Serge Ibaka was alone in the front court, Kendrick Perkins had foul trouble.


It was just bad shooting all around for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and even their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, shot below par. Durant had a game high 35 points on 14/32 shooting, and had 10 boards. Durant's effort kept his Thunder in the game through two quarters and a half.

It started with Houston getting a slight edge, as everyone was getting involved. The Rockets had no clear leader in the first quarter, but Kevin Martin got things going in the second quarter. At halftime he already had a team high 14 points, six boards, and five assists. Houston lost their lead near the end of the first half, when Oklahoma City went on a nice run. Before halftime however, they were able to get it back to lead by three.

In the third quarter, Houston pulled away to a double-digit lead after going on a 13-5 run during a stretch of five minutes. They led by 11 going into the final period, and it was thanks to OKC's shooting woes.

James Harden shot 4/15, Russell Westbrook shot 2/11 (and suffered a Bruised Tailbone during the game), and Nate Robinson shot 4/11 from the field. To add to that, Kendrick Perkins managed just 20 minutes of game time due to foul trouble, scoring only two points and grabbing one board.

Houston would lead by as many as 15 before the Thunder narrowed the margin down to seven to end the game.

For Houston, Martin led the way with a near triple-double of 27 points, nine boards, and eight assists. Help arrived for him this game in the form of 16 points, 7 assists from Kyle Lowry. Also worthy of mention was Patrick Patterson's great game off the bench (12 points, four boards, 5/9 shooting).

Notes: Despite being outrebounded 50-40, the Houston Rockets were able to take this one relatively easily. They shot 43% from the field compared to the Thunder's 40%. Shooting percentages were the key factor in this one, and the Rockets almost always have the edge in those categories.

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 10/22 FG, 3/4 3P, 4/5 FT
Kyle Lowry - 16 points, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6/12 FG, 3/4 3P
Patrick Patterson - 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5/9 FG
Yao Ming - 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/9 FG
Luis Scola - 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3/8 FG, 5/5 FT

Thunder:
Kevin Durant - 35 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 14/32 FG, 6/7 FT
Nate Robinson - 10 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 4/11 FG
James Harden - 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4/15 FG
Russell Westbrook - 9 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2/11 FG, 5/6 FT
Serge Ibaka - 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks, 3/5 FG

Image25 28 28 17 98
Image21 29 20 21 91


[26-9] Houston Rockets 99-101 Miami Heat [26-10]

Image Image
This picture is soon to be confiscated by Nike. | Kyle Lowry scores a buzzer-beater to end the third.
Image Image
LeBron only scored four points in the fourth quarter. | Chris Bosh had a great fourth quarter on the other hand.


Both teams began with great shooting, shooting well over 50% from the field to begin the game. As the first quarter progressed, the Heat began to slow down, and that's where the Rockets capitalized and jumping out ahead to a five point lead at the end of the quarter.

In the first half, Houston had trouble containing LeBron James. He scored 19 points in the first half, and he was having an excellent shooting game. On the other side, Miami had trouble slowing down Kevin Martin. They did a great job limiting his attempts, the the shots he got off were usually money. Martin had 17 points to counter LeBron's game by halftime, and Houston led by the slimmest of margins at the half.

Miami managed to climb back into it to retake the lead in the third quarter, with LeBron once again continuing to pour in the points. The Rockets countered that with a team scoring effort, as no Rocket had clear dominance of the team in the third.

The fourth quarter came down to the wire, as both teams traded leads and buckets for the vast majority of the period. This is where Chris Bosh picked his game up. He scored 12 of his 18 points in this period, eight of them coming in the final stretch of the game. Bosh knocked down four free throws and two jumpshots to help sink the Rockets in the final minutes.

Notes: Miami had better shot attempts this game as they shot 48% from the field, despite only having 15 assists. The Rockets shot 43% from the field, but had 27 assists for the game. Houston outrebounded Miami 47-44, and shot 18/21 from the free throw line compared to Miami's 11/14. Just goes to show that a team may have the edge in almost all stat categories, but there is always one key stat that decides the game.

Key Performers:
Rockets:
Kevin Martin - 29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 11/18 FG, 6/7 FT
Kyle Lowry - 16 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 6/11 FG, 2/2 3P
Luis Scola - 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 5/12 FG
Yao Ming - 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 6/12 FG

Heat:
LeBron James - 32 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 13/23 FG, 2/4 3P, 4/4 FT
Dwyane Wade - 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 9/17 FG, 2/4 3P
Chris Bosh - 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7/16 FG, 4/4 FT
Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 13 points, 3 rebounds, 5 steals, 6/10 FG
Mario Chalmers - 7 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 3/8 FG

Image27 19 28 25 99
Image22 23 27 29 101
User avatar
Axel The Great
Visible Confusion
 
Posts: 4754
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:06 am
Location: Houstoned

Re: 4th Quarter, Like A Bosh [26-10]

Postby Cruzerr on Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:46 am

Hey, 1-1 is good against two of the tougher teams. Usually, people have the trouble of guarding Westbrook in 2k rather then Durant. Nice to see this still on a roll :)
"Say whatever you want, m*therf*cker. Just say my name"
User avatar
Cruzerr
 
Posts: 1412
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:36 am
Location: Estonia

PreviousNext

Return to Stories from the Virtual Hardwood

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests