NBA / Nov 4, 2008 / 11:14 am
Big Three East vs. Big Three West
I wouldn’t bet against me tonight…In our NBA Season Preview in Dime #45 we listed tonight’s game of Big Three East (KG, Ray, Pierce) vs. Big Three West (Yao, T-Mac, Artest) as a game to watch. The last time the Celtics visited Houston, they ended the Rockets’ franchise-record winning streak in March.
One big difference this time around though is Artest. We told you he’d get some MVP votes, and so far, Ron-Ron has lived up to they hype on the court.
According to Covers.com, Houston is a 2.5-point favorite in tonight’s contest – making my decision to throw down my paycheck on the Celtics an easy one.
Who do you like in this game?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Shakers says:
I would love to say the C’s are gonna take this one, but I think Houston’s home court will too much. We all know Boston is best in Boston.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:26 am
YOUNGFED says:
Houston is gonna spank dat ass 2nite. Celtics are done….Finito
November 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am
control says:
Raps vs Pistons w/ AI’s first game. Gotta watch it over these two tired teams
November 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Khal says:
Rockets. As usual the easy coast bias will take celts.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Aron says:
@control
Tired teams? The Celtics are looking to repeat and the Rockets (knock on wood) are all still healthy and rolling. This is what basketball is about.
@Khal
It has nothing to do with East Coast bias. Straight up, you gotta like the C’s coming off a loss. When they met in the preseason, these two teams were getting scrappy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKeVKEb6Zek
November 4th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Sam says:
When did Houston become Big Three West, anyhow? Yao and Tracy are career no-shows in the playoffs (though repeat champions at the emergency room), Artest is an overrated basketcase, and the three of them have, what, three games under their collective belt together?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hehateme says:
hahahaha…Gambling your paycheck on the Celtics against Houston at their backyard is Ridiculous.And Houston is more in sync than Celtics at this moment. 96-88 for Houston.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
control says:
Aron
Yeah, no doubt. I’ll be watching the Raps, but will see what other shit I can catch, when I can catch it.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Khal says:
Aron
It was scrappy. But this year, we finally have some muscle and wont back down
top 2 defensive teams are going to go at it…..unfortunately we dont have battier
November 4th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Kudabeen says:
Tracy isn’t healthy, No shane to guard whoever Artest isn’t guarding, so I’ll take the Cs…
On second though Ray Allen hasn’t really been killing it and Tracy wouldn’t need to be 100% to keep up and Artest matches up with Pierce and KG is gonna have his hands full with Houston’s Forward committee and Yao…
I’m not a fan of Celts bigs behind KG…Never mind I’m gonna roll with Celts coming of a loss and trying to get a road win…
November 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
JR says:
one big difference this time around …. yao will be playing. he was out in march.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
GEE...Put a B-Ball Court on the White House says:
Houston Up!
Rockets ain’t that same 22 win squad. Don’t get me wrong that ish was impressive. With this squad and that old schedule though, you prolly looking at 30 wins. I know that is an “If” though.
Either way I got the Rockets, Imma be real interested to see how motivated Houston is. If they not showing that desire to make a statement and really get down on the get down, then Imma have a lil concern. Still Houston Pimpin!
November 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
SWAT says:
@ sam do you read dime or espn at all…they have been calling them the big 3 in htown since we got artest. Do i feel like we earned it yet…not quite. I dont agree w/ us being compared to boston just yet bcuz we hvnt even played our best basketball, but the sky’s the limit for this crew. Tmac may not be 100% but hes still driving, dishing the rock and getting boards so he’s doing his best. Plus the rox are finally making their damn free throws. im gonna ride w/ my h-town boys tonight. 101-89
November 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Prof. TX says:
Missing Battier will hurt. If he and Artest could lock down Pierce and Allen then it would be up to Garnett to carry the scoring load.
As it is, with the big three on each team matching up well, the game will probably be decided by the other role players. A big game by someone like Rondo or Scola could throw off the balance.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
YOUNGFED says:
What about the real big 3 Rip, Sheed, and AI
November 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
SWAT says:
@ youngfed that’s still remains to be seen. im still hurt they let go of billups.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
dagwaller says:
Big Three West is still the Lakers, to me.
That having been said, as much of a Jesus fan I am, I’m going to go with the Rockets (another favorite) with this matchup. With T-Mac getting his on Ray, Artest being one of the few that has a chance against PP, and Yao and KG cancelling out, I like the Rockets. Especially since these three are the only three that have much of a chance of putting up scoring numbers against sick defensive squads.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
SWAT says:
@dagwaller…who is the big 3 on the lakers squad? andrew, pau, kobe..or odom, kobe, pau or how about sasha, farmar, and mihm…
November 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
doc says:
Who cares who wins tonight.If they play in June is all that matters.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Sam says:
@SWAT
I don’t read either all that often, but I know they’ve been calling TMac, Yao, and Ron-Ron ‘the big three’ ever since Houston got the latter. I have no issue with calling them HOUSTON’S big three, which they obviously are. It’s just that when the article calls them ‘Big Three West’, it implies that this is THE dominant trio in the Western Conference - the counterpart to the undisputed ‘Big Three East’- which we all know isn’t true.
Hey, I like TMac; he’s one of my favorite players. Let’s face facts, though - he’s rickety at 29, and we don’t see a lot of guys suddenly rebound into more consistently healthy players in their 30s than they were in their 20s. It happens on occasion, but the odds are against him. As for Yao, so far he’s this generation’s Bill Walton or Brad Daugherty - tons of talent and potential, but seemingly always injured. When that trend emerges in a center, it usually doesn’t go away.
Hey, I like this team- I’m from Houston, and I have no problem with them unless they play my Spurs. They’re talented, deep, and entertaining. It’s just that not one of the big three has ever proven himself a winner. Credit to you for backing your squad, though, and I hope they win tonight.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Nora says:
As usual Boston proved doubters wrong. Houston has to remain healthy and Ron Artest has to remain less crazy then usual. It is a high risk move by the Rocket. We’ll see what happens.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Nora says:
The ‘Big 3′ word is being tossed around WAY to easily. Celtics 3 earned it by winning a championship. They need to find another word for teams that acquire 3 all-stars that have proven nothing.