http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/151469.html
With Yao, McGrady hobbled, Kings might catch a break
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, April 8, 2007
by Sam Amick
Early on, it was the Kings who were on the wrong end of star treatment.
Opposing teams always seemed to have their big guns for games against them, and some even saw long-awaited returns of their best players just as the Kings came up on the schedule. Lately, though, the trend has reversed, and tonight might be the latest example of the Kings' changing fortunes.
Houston center Yao Ming did not practice Saturday because of back soreness and is doubtful for tonight's game, meaning the Kings might avoid his presence for all three Rockets meetings this season. There is the possibility of sidestepping two stars, too, as shooting guard and MVP candidate Tracy McGrady practiced despite his latest back problems but will be a game-time decision.
Justin Williams will be ready either way. The Kings' rookie center suddenly is indispensable, with forward Kenny Thomas out for the season with a left big toe injury and center Brad Miller questionable again because of left foot tissue inflammation.
Williams, a lanky leaper, is used to giving up size down low. But at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he's a long way from Yao's stature should he suit up. With Yao standing 7-6 and weighing 310 pounds, the Kings' coaching staff advised Williams that Yao's length means he should take fewer risks than usual.
"He's so long that not too many guys can block his shot," said Williams, who met with Kings coach Eric Musselman and assistant Mark Hughes to discuss the defensive duty. "I just want to pester him and worry about getting the rebound rather than getting a block."
If Yao doesn't start, shot-block aficionado Dikembe Mutombo will be Williams' assignment.
The Rockets are used to dealing with the absence of one or both of their stars. They are 1-10 all-time in games without Yao and McGrady and 20-13 in games without Yao this season.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/151223.html
Kings: Tonight's game
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, April 8, 2007
HOUSTON (47-29) AT KINGS (31-44)
KINGS OUTLOOK
They won't show their faces in Arco Arena. If they do, they surely won't speak up. But as sacrilegious as it sounds to the sports purist, there are plenty of Kings fans who want their team to let the tanking begin. Sacramento is within striking distance of a prime draft pick if it keeps letting the losses mount, they say, and this is no time to start finding chemistry and letting the young players run the show. Yet that's what happened in Friday's victory over Utah, and it might happen tonight against a depleted Houston team that needed overtime to win its two previous games against the Kings.
ROCKETS OUTLOOK
Tracy McGrady sat out Friday's game against Portland because of a stiff lower back after playing just seven minutes in the previous game, and Yao Ming also sat out because of a sore back. And though the Rockets are among the league's better squads, they got there with a lineup that included those two. Out of sheer necessity, Houston has become quite adept at winning without one of its terrific tandem. But not only did the Rockets lose to the Trail Blazers without both stars, it was Houston's third consecutive loss at a time when it is pushing for the West's fourth playoff seed and home-court advantage for an eventual series against Utah.
KEY MATCHUP
Mike Bibby vs. Rafer Alston
For all the fanfare surrounding Kings reserve point guard Ronnie Price, Bibby surely wants to bust out with a big game in what might be the last few weeks of his Kings career.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR, Miller
Rockets - Alston, McGrady, Battier, Howard, Mutombo
With Yao, McGrady hobbled, Kings might catch a break
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, April 8, 2007
by Sam Amick
Early on, it was the Kings who were on the wrong end of star treatment.
Opposing teams always seemed to have their big guns for games against them, and some even saw long-awaited returns of their best players just as the Kings came up on the schedule. Lately, though, the trend has reversed, and tonight might be the latest example of the Kings' changing fortunes.
Houston center Yao Ming did not practice Saturday because of back soreness and is doubtful for tonight's game, meaning the Kings might avoid his presence for all three Rockets meetings this season. There is the possibility of sidestepping two stars, too, as shooting guard and MVP candidate Tracy McGrady practiced despite his latest back problems but will be a game-time decision.
Justin Williams will be ready either way. The Kings' rookie center suddenly is indispensable, with forward Kenny Thomas out for the season with a left big toe injury and center Brad Miller questionable again because of left foot tissue inflammation.
Williams, a lanky leaper, is used to giving up size down low. But at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he's a long way from Yao's stature should he suit up. With Yao standing 7-6 and weighing 310 pounds, the Kings' coaching staff advised Williams that Yao's length means he should take fewer risks than usual.
"He's so long that not too many guys can block his shot," said Williams, who met with Kings coach Eric Musselman and assistant Mark Hughes to discuss the defensive duty. "I just want to pester him and worry about getting the rebound rather than getting a block."
If Yao doesn't start, shot-block aficionado Dikembe Mutombo will be Williams' assignment.
The Rockets are used to dealing with the absence of one or both of their stars. They are 1-10 all-time in games without Yao and McGrady and 20-13 in games without Yao this season.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/151223.html
Kings: Tonight's game
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, April 8, 2007
HOUSTON (47-29) AT KINGS (31-44)
KINGS OUTLOOK
They won't show their faces in Arco Arena. If they do, they surely won't speak up. But as sacrilegious as it sounds to the sports purist, there are plenty of Kings fans who want their team to let the tanking begin. Sacramento is within striking distance of a prime draft pick if it keeps letting the losses mount, they say, and this is no time to start finding chemistry and letting the young players run the show. Yet that's what happened in Friday's victory over Utah, and it might happen tonight against a depleted Houston team that needed overtime to win its two previous games against the Kings.
ROCKETS OUTLOOK
Tracy McGrady sat out Friday's game against Portland because of a stiff lower back after playing just seven minutes in the previous game, and Yao Ming also sat out because of a sore back. And though the Rockets are among the league's better squads, they got there with a lineup that included those two. Out of sheer necessity, Houston has become quite adept at winning without one of its terrific tandem. But not only did the Rockets lose to the Trail Blazers without both stars, it was Houston's third consecutive loss at a time when it is pushing for the West's fourth playoff seed and home-court advantage for an eventual series against Utah.
KEY MATCHUP
Mike Bibby vs. Rafer Alston
For all the fanfare surrounding Kings reserve point guard Ronnie Price, Bibby surely wants to bust out with a big game in what might be the last few weeks of his Kings career.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR, Miller
Rockets - Alston, McGrady, Battier, Howard, Mutombo
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