We are now 13-3 since Yao went down. Which win do you find the most impressive? Here are the candidates I can think of: 3/2 Defeated Denver at home 103-89. First win against a Western Conference team in playoff contention. (15th in a row) 3/6 Won in Dallas after playing previous night, 113-98. No Dirk. (17th in a row) 3/8 Defeated New Orleans at home, 106-96. No David West. (18th in a row) 3/16 Defeated Lakers at home, 104-92. No Gasol/Bynum (22nd in a row) 3/21 Won at Golden State, 109-106. I think I'll go with New Orleans.
It's gotta be Golden State, man. That was crucial in SO many ways. It was on the road, against a team that was constantly given us problems, in the thick of the playoff race. Then you throw in the fact that we had just dropped 2 in a row after winning 22, so we were obviously a little punch-drunk. If we lose that game, then lose the next night in Phoenix, I'm not so sure we could have pulled that game off in Sacramento. It really broke us out of our funk, and allowed us to get back to our winning ways.
i have to throw the washington wizards game in for consideration simply because it was our first game without yao and nobody knew how we would respond. im sure the optimistic among us thought we could tread water but i dont think anyone thought we would come out guns a blazing, blow the wizards away, and ultimately record the 2nd longest winning streak of all time. the way the rockets came out that first game was a telling sign that these rockets were not going to give up as so many around them had. they demonstrated to themselves and everyone else that they can still play, validating their locker room belief in their ability to win without yao, and turned a potentially season ending injury into an opportunity to make history.
I'm going with Golden State. The team had just had their back to back "reality check" blowout losses against Boston and New Orleans, and losing a close game to the Warriors at full strength (minus Yao, of course) could have sent them into a tail spin, possibly down to the 6th seed. Add in the Phoenix debacle and Tracy's nagging injuries, and there's no telling how badly things could have spiraled out of control. Not to mention we are in a position in the standings where it's quite likely that we could end up playing Golden State in the first round. Any regular season win, especially in a close game on their home court, could be an invaluable psychological advantage come playoff time.
Golden State. The Dallas, NO, and Lakers lineups were missing key players who are/will be back for the regular season stretch run and playoffs.
I'm going with Dallas game. Even without Dirk it was expected to be a tough game but we just played our game and beat Dallas without any problems. That was great and especially when we, Tracy did shut down Barkley.
lakers game. i don't care that they were missing gasol, it was the most anticipated regular season game at toyota center for first place in the conference and a lot of pressure was on them to prove they weren't a fluke and to extend the streak in to lone possession of second all-time. we destroyed them too. golden state is a very close second.
I think the Rockets without Yao have not played better than they did against New Orleans. That second quarter where we made like seven threes was surreal. We just wrenched their hearts out, threw it on the floor, and stomped on it repeatedly. Sure they got their revenge a couple weeks later, but we hadn't had Landry for several games by then. Give us a few more games with all our pieces to regain our offensive rhythm, and I guarantee you we'll point to that New Orleans game as a sign that, at our best, we can play with anyone, Yao or non.
It's hard to choose one since they are all huge victories. I'm just glad we didn't loose to Dallas or L.A. because I hate them the most. I'd have to say the Golden State game was the most impressive since they were at full strength and it was on the road.
The GSW win because it put us back on track. We lost to the Suns but didn't give up against them and fought hard all the way which was set up by this win.
Definitely New Orleans even if it's winning by only 1 point! Winning against them gives me the greatest satisfaction out of all the other teams!
Beating the Evil Empire for #22 on a super-hyped ABC broadcast game with T-Mac scoring 0 in the 1st half.
ditto it really showcased to the media what we were capable of: freeze frames of Battier's hand in Kobe's face, suffocating team defense, Scola out working everyone, Rafer playing hard, and .....winning.
I'd have to go with Golden State cause they just flat out light it up. They can torch the Suns like nobody else can.
The win against one of our chief rivals in the race for a top seed, New Orleans. Sure, West was out, but Paul and the rest of their team wasn't. It was in their building and they fought hard. Paul was incredible. We beat them anyway. I've got this game on my DVR at home and I've watched it four times. This was when I knew we were doing something special.
