[Chron] Hot-shooting Rockets avenge loss against Celtics

Rockets turn it on to win in Boston
Stifling defense, 3-point accuracy bury Celtics

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

BOSTON - Just over a week after a dreadful performance against the Celtics, the Rockets did everything well against Boston on Wednesday night.

Opposing the team against whom they managed their fewest points, field goals and 3-pointers this season, the Rockets turned in their best 3-point shooting night and chased several other offensive bests.

They shut down the Celtics so completely that Boston coach Doc Rivers called the defense "beautiful to watch."

The Rockets broke a skid of four losses in five games with a 111-80 thrashing of the Celtics, matching their largest rout of the season while knocking more of the rust off Yao Ming.

So coach Jeff Van Gundy considered last week's ugly 77-72 loss to the Celtics avenged, and he marked the occasion.

"Oh, the satisfaction is palpable," Van Gundy said, twisting his voice into a tone dripping in sarcasm. "It's running through my veins. I'm so ... satisfied, I'm complacent now."

As far as the Rockets were concerned, vengeance was not the point. They desperately needed a win — any win. By shooting, scoring, defending and passing so much better than they had been, they made the victory sure.

"Man, it feels good," said forward Chuck Hayes, who matched his career high with 14 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. "We haven't been playing exactly well since the All-Star break. It always feels good to get a win on the road.

"You don't want to put yourself in the situation to tell yourself to bring some urgency. You should always have urgency to play the game. You always want to be serious, but we knew we let one slip when they came to Houston. We also know we haven't been playing well.

"This was an opportunity to get refocused and get a win."


Regaining their form

The Rockets had not reached their average of 96.6 points in four of the past five games. They had not hit their 44 percent shooting average in five of six.

Against the Celtics last week, they were just 1-of-22 from 3-point range and hit 25 of 78 shots overall.

On Wednesday, they made eight of their first 11 3-pointers and finished 15-of-28.

They also matched their high for assists this season, moving the ball so well they had assists on 31 of 40 field goals.

"It was a game that we had to win, and we came out with a great deal of energy," said Tracy McGrady, who had 25 points and nine assists despite six turnovers.

"This is the way we need to play. We don't need to be stagnant and have the ball in one guy's hand. I think when we're shooting the ball well at the perimeter, we're moving the ball well. That's when we're at our best."

Every Rockets starter plus Juwan Howard scored in double figures.

Rafer Alston, who made just one of 11 shots against the Celtics in the Feb. 26 loss — and 16 of 55 in the previous five games — made five of nine shots for 14 points and added seven assists. The bench hit 13 of 19 shots and scored 32 points.

"We were just spreading the ball around, and guys were making shots," McGrady said. "I thought we had great energy offensively and defensively."

After the Celtics' Al Jefferson rolled to 18 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, the Rockets held him to two points and two rebounds in the second half.

The Celtics made just 28 of 78 shots. Second in the NBA in 3-point shooting, Boston was 1-of-9 on 3-pointers. The Rockets, averaging 7.3 steals per game, had 12.

"I love the way Jeff prepares his team defensively," Rivers said. "It's the same system I've learned, and it's great when you can see everyone doing it at the same time. It was beautiful.

"As ugly as the game was, I just thought the (Rockets') rotations defensively were beautiful to watch."


Physical in the middle

The Rockets' only concern was with their centers. Little-used Boston center Michael Olowokandi rolled into Dikembe Mutombo's left knee, leaving him with a bruise that ended his night early.

Mutombo said he expected to be able to play Friday but was initially frightened it was much worse.

Yao dislocated the middle finger on his right hand when Olowokandi went up for a dunk and was called for offensive goaltending.

Yao, however, said he could have returned to the game and added: "It's fine. It's fine. I will not miss 10 weeks or something."

jonathan.feigen@chron.com

ROCKETS NOTES: Mutumbo's injury not serious

Injury not severe

As he was helped from the floor with a bruised left knee, Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo had the chilling thought that it could be much worse, even career-threatening.

It was not. He did have to leave Wednesday's game in the fourth quarter after a collision with the Celtics' Michael Olowokandi. But Mutombo said he will be able to play Friday against the Nets.

"It scared me," Mutombo said. "I'm going toward the end of my career. I don't want to walk away like that. I have a flash memory of watching Charles Barkley getting carried out (in Philadelphia). That got in my mind. But I think I'm going to be able to play on Friday.

"It's a little bit sore. It got hit from the inside. Sometimes when you get hit like this, you don't know how you will feel the next day. I'm just praying I will wake up and feel better than I'm feeling now. It's swelling a little bit."

In Yao's defense

Rockets center Yao Ming said his experience in Cleveland on Monday should at least add to his defensive repertoire. Yao went down the lane in the final seconds, losing the ball when Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas poked it loose and fell in front of Yao, who crashed hard to the court.

"Now I know what to do the next time I guard Shaq ( O'Neal) and he has the ball in the post," Yao said. "I'll just lay on the ground and say, 'Go ahead. I'll hold your leg.' (The idea came) from Big Z."

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he did not ask the NBA office to offer an explanation of the non-call.

"I didn't ask for an explanation I wouldn't have accepted anyway," Van Gundy said. "There's no sense asking for something you're going to disagree (with). It is what it is as far as him and how he's officiated. That's one thing that didn't change in the 32 games out."

Staying up-tempo

Though Yao Ming is back in the center of the offense, the Rockets hope to attack the way they had when he was out, with Tracy McGrady playmaking early in the shot clock and with a greater tempo than in the first two months of the season.

"We'd rather play offensively as we were," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "The ball will find him. That won't be the problem. Where we think he can help us is defensively. He's not quick or fast, but he can help us protect the basketball.

"He is intelligent team defense-wise, and our defense has sprung major leaks."

Inside the numbers

• 1 — Celtics 3-pointer, matching the one the Rockets had against Boston last week.
• 1 — Tie and one lead change.
• 1 — Shot made by Gerald Green in 20 attempts in two games against his hometown team.

Last word

The Rockets had their best 3-point shooting night (53.6 percent) against the same team that held them to their worst (4.5 percent).

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