NBA Playoffs 2008: (4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets

[Lamrock]

The last topic of these. There should be a sub-forum, since there is 8 of these (15 in all at the end)

I have Jazz in 6. Rockets have home court, but are without Yao.

[deihatein]

Jazz will win at 6, no Yao no win for the Rockets

[L10]

Jazz will win at 6, no Yao no win for the Rockets

I dont agree with this, rockets can play without Yao... they ve been playing pretty well....with a tmac and scola playing at a great level I hope they can beat utah in 7 !

[Lamrock]

Since the 22 game winning streak they have only been about average though. If they drop even one of their home games, they are fucked, since there is no way Utah is losing any of their home games.

[Cartar]

Jazz in 6, they´re great at home, but it won´t be by big, Houston could still win, but I think they won´t without Yao. Maybe it will be decided at 7 also like just year, but I think Jazz won´t let it that far.

[BZ]

Since Rockets have homecourt... I'd say they'll win in 7. I'd like to say either Utah or Houston, but being a Rockets fan, my hopes are that the Rockets go past the Jazz. But then again, we couldn't beat them last year with Yao, so without Yao this year might hurt our chances.

[benji]

The best offense in the league versus the best defense in the West. (And the worst Western playoff team on offense.) It would be interesting, except the Jazz are also a top ten defensive team. I don't see how Houston can outscore the Jazz.

[JT_55]

Rockets sweep.
I have a feeling the next poster will say: "In your dreams"



Seriously, T-Mac is due for a second round appearance. No, no Yao, but they'll find a way. Hopefully.

[Matthew]

The last topic of these. There should be a sub-forum, since there is 8 of these (15 in all at the end)

I have Jazz in 6. Rockets have home court, but are without Yao.

Or maybe just one thread?

[Andrew]

Jazz in six, even with the Rockets owning the home court advantage. The Rockets may have defied all the predictions after Yao went down for the season but getting past the Jazz without him would be a tall order.

[Oskar]

I'll go for Rockets in 6. I really think so.

[Martti.]

I voted Jazz in six. Houston will be affected by Yao's absence.

To me, it looks like another first round entry for T-Mac.

[FiZzO]

Im gonna go with jazz in 6.. The rockets are in the playoffs just because of that magic winning streak (i still cant understand how they did that). So as that magic is now over I really think that t-mac is going home after the first round.

[Sauru]

gotta go with the general opinion and say jazz in 6

[Dramacydal]

I don't understand how so many people think it's going to be close or even that the Rockets are going to win. Maybe I'm completely off but I'd say Jazz in 5, maybe, just maybe 6 but rather 5.

[Fizdale]

These joke choices are getting old.


HOU IN SEVEN.

[Andrew]

I don't understand how so many people think it's going to be close or even that the Rockets are going to win. Maybe I'm completely off but I'd say Jazz in 5, maybe, just maybe 6 but rather 5.

I think it has a lot to do with how the Rockets were written off when it was announced that Yao would be out for the rest of the season, which seemed a fair enough call at the time but ultimately didn't come to pass.

[Dramacydal]

^Probably. But it usually is like that, when a team loses its star player the rest of the team immediately puts in more effort and are a lot more motivated. Of course Houston did more than that, their run was amazing. But I think that momentum is gone by now. Also I read somewhere that Alston will miss the first week of the playoffs. And the Jazz are the strongest team in the west in my opinion.

[Andrew]

Absolutely, I'd say the predictions of the Rockets taking the series or at least pushing the Jazz to the brink are made on the assumption that they'll bring that same effort and momentum now it's playoff time. Personally, I think that riding on that extra effort and heart along with the home court advantage, they can take a couple of games (one at least) from the Jazz but Yao is too significant a loss for them to stand a good chance of moving on.

[Modifly]

I'll say Houston in 7...

I'm a big Rockets fan so...

anyway, Rockets had lost the first game.. and if they lost another home game, they are screwed.

I dont know what will really happen but I believe it's about the damn time T-MAC advances past the first damn round.

[Lamrock]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if this series is a sweep. Its obviously a stretch, and the Rockets are a decent team, but they'll have to fight hard for their wins.

[Andrew]

The Jazz's rebounding was killing the Rockets in the first half, I was surprised to see the final numbers (41 total for both teams, 18-13 advantage to the Rockets). The Rockets were looking alright in the third until Korver hit those threes towards the end, they never recovered from that. I still think they'll avoid the sweep but my prediction of a 4-2 win for the Jazz might have been a bit generous towards the Rockets.

[Dramacydal]

^I told you so.

Just kidding, but in my book the Jazz are the strongest team in the west. I don't base that on facts (thus I might as well be awfully wrong), it's rather just a feeling I have. They just seem to be so strong and so tough to beat.

[Andrew]

Simply in terms of win-loss records, they were the toughest team at home during the regular season.

[BZ]

T-Mac is just pathetic... non-existent in the 4th... another early first round exit is inevitable again.