The Golden State Warriors' thin frontcourt could get some help if coach Don Nelson gets his wish and the team signs free-agent forward Chris Webber.
If that doesn't happen, relying on Andris Biedrins might not be a bad backup plan.
Biedrins and the Warriors go for their eighth win in 10 games Tuesday when they visit the Houston Rockets, who could be looking for their own help in the paint if Yao Ming is sidelined for a second consecutive game.
Webber hasn't played since finishing last season with Detroit, but Nelson would welcome him back to Golden State, where Webber started his career in 1993 before a clash with Nelson resulted in Webber's trade to Washington after just one season.
"I hope that it happens to be quite honest with you," said Nelson, whose frontcourt rotation depends heavily on Biedrins and Al Harrington. "I think our team needs it."
Nelson's comment came before Biedrins grabbed a career- and NBA season-high 26 rebounds in Golden State's 106-104 win over New York on Sunday night. The 6-foot-11 center from Latvia is averaging 10.5 points and 14.5 rebounds while shooting 69.6 percent from the field in his last four games. He's second in the league in field-goal percentage at 62.5.
"Dre was a monster," forward Stephen Jackson said after the Warriors (27-18) won for the seventh time in nine games. "It was hard for anybody else to get rebounds because he was getting them all. That's what he does. He's our best rebounder on the team. If he hadn't had those 26 rebounds I think they would have killed us inside and won that game."
Nelson said he thinks adding Webber will give Golden State the depth it needs to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, but Biedrins doesn't think he needs much help in the middle.
"Of course I take it a little bit personally because that's my job," Biedrins said. "My job is at the defensive end, rebound and block shots. I try to do my job as good as I can."
Biedrins' job could be a lot easier Tuesday if Yao hasn't recovered from an upper respiratory infection that sidelined him for the Rockets' 97-89 loss to Utah on Sunday. The Rockets (24-20) gave up 36 points in the paint in their first game without Yao this season, losing for just the third time in 12 games.
"It gave us some lanes for us to drive to the hoop and make some free throws," Jazz forward Carlos Boozer said. "(Without Yao) they really don't have any shot blockers, so we could attack a little bit."
Houston also missed Yao at the free-throw line, where the All-Star center shoots 85.3 percent. The Rockets missed 10 of their 19 free-throw attempts Sunday and are shooting just 65.6 percent from the line over their last five games.
Tracy McGrady, shooting a career-worst 67.9 percent from the line, was 0-for-3 on Sunday in his first start since returning from a knee injury Jan. 19.
"That's been our Achilles' heel all year," McGrady told the Rockets' official Web site. "Go up there and shoot with confidence. That's all I can give you. And I am one of them. This is the worst I've ever shot."
The Rockets have been outscored by an average of 12.2 points in losing their last four games against the Warriors, including both meetings this season.
Warriors point guard Baron Davis is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2.5 steals during Golden State's win streak over Houston.
Next Games
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Last edited by Cornholio : 01-29-2008 at 01:55 PM.
Reason: Just for the hell of it
Re: Regular Season Game 45: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Yao should take another game off if needed. Are chances of winning is higher with him around, but his health is important. McGrady should be fine. I do hope Deke plays for a few minutes.
Re: Regular Season Game 45: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Losing streak of 5 negates a winning streak of 4. We just can run with a team like this. Monte Ellis will foul everyone out on this team as he runs past them for layups.
Everything has to go right in this game for us to win. We need to match them 3 for 3 and TMac needs to go off for 40pts!!!
Regular Season Game 45: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
