http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3037641 After the Rockets' win in Boston on Jan. 31, coach Jeff Van Gundy challenged his team to sweep its way to the break. They won in Philadelphia that night and have stretched their winning streak to six games heading into tonight's game against Portland. The Rockets face the Wizards on Tuesday in their last game before the break. The Rockets have shown no letdown in spite of the streak, as if it has made the wins more meaningful. "We needed this win so bad," Dikembe Mutombo said of Friday's win in Indiana. "I know we won five in a row, but it was important to win six, and it will be important to win seven." The Rockets, 30-21, were 30-22 going into the break last season. Sura knee update Guard Bob Sura has played an average of 38.5 minutes the past four games, but said the extra work has not been a problem for his sore left knee. Instead, the knee has improved for the first time since soreness developed in December. The turnaround has been important. He had been told the only way to repair the knee would be to surgically remove loose bodies, a procedure that could keep him out for four to six weeks, and that doctors could not continue to drain the knee when too much fluid accumulated. "I was a little worried," Sura said. "They said they couldn't keep draining it. If it kept getting bigger I would have been in trouble. But it's been a lot better lately." Measuring the intensity For Jeff Van Gundy, coaching the league's oldest team requires a careful balance of rest and practice. Keeping his team fresh is such a concern the Rockets have held just one practice during their streak. Still, Van Gundy said he would like to see greater intensity when the team does practice or have a shootaround. "In the games, they're trying hard to do the right things. That's good," Van Gundy said. "Where we have to be a little bit better is how we go about the day of games and the day preceding games. I would like to see us be a little more energetic so we could improve a little bit more." JONATHAN FEIGEN
This is great - the coach is giving the guys lost of "rest" even during a winning streak. One (1) practice since January 30? I am glad he has not overworked them. Guys like Sura, Deke, Juwan and Barry could really use this all star break to heal and get a little rested for the last 29 games post ASG.
Don't forget T-Mac... Although it is not talked about much, the guy who has the longest list of injuries and has been playing through it is T-Mac. And I am REALLY starting to be concerned about that the last few games, in which he seems to be uncomfortable when he jumps up high to take those shots. He really looks like he is bothered by primarily his back pain (which anyone would tell you very much influences your jump shot, and may be this is why he is not shooting well as of late), and also his foot. I hope he lasts through the season, I am really worried it will be him, and not Sura, that will go down before the season ends, in which case, of course, it will be YAO TIME!
probably small fragments of bone or tissue that are just floating around the knee. I dont think its that serious, but its not good long term to have them in there, sura will go under the knife as soon as the season is over to have them removed
