Preview on SI - 猶他爵士 Utah Jazz

SI.com's Marty Burns analyzes the Jazz-Rockets first-round matchup

The Skinny

Rockets stars Yao Ming (right) and Tracy McGrady form one of the league's
best inside-outside combinations, but the real key for Houston is its
league-leading defense (in terms of field goal percentage allowed). The Jazz
counter with a potent frontcourt in Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei
Kirilenko, along with superb second-year point guard Deron Williams. Utah
relies on precise execution and hard work, but a late-season slide could be
a sign of fatigue. McGrady's determination to win his first playoff series,
along with homecourt advantage (the Rockets own it by virtue of a better
overall record), should be enough for Houston.


Key Matchup
Tracy McGrady vs. Andrei Kirilenko
McGrady is one of the NBA's premier scorers, and he will be primed to get
out of the first round after five previous first-round playoff exits.
Although he technically will be matched up against Gordan Giricek, he figures
to see a lot of Utah's ace defender Kirilenko. How well the 6-9 Kirilenko,
who is coming off a wrist injury, can contain McGrady will go a long way
toward determining who prevails in the series.


X-Factor
Jazz: Officiating
Jerry Sloan's Jazz are perennially among the NBA leaders in personal fouls,
and this year was no exception. Utah ranked No. 1 in fouls as it stuck to the
demand from Sloan (right) to allow no easy baskets. The Jazz have the depth
to survive foul trouble, but quick whistles could make things a lot tougher.

Rockets: Rafer Alston
The 6-2 journeyman point guard has done a solid job running the offense for
Jeff Van Gundy the past two seasons. In addition to his 5.4 assists, he is
Houston's third-leading scorer (13.4 points) and a decent three-point shooter
(36.5). But he must stay in front of the bigger and stronger Williams on
defense, or the Rockets could be in trouble.


The Pick
Rockets in seven


原文連結 http://tinyurl.com/ytw5ct

--