Houston 101, Los Angeles 99 Cinderella Rockets Upset Lakers LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Ticker) -- Before Game One of their series with the LA Lakers, the Houston Rockets were considered a fluke to be in the Western Conference Finals. Steve Francis, however, was not to be denied. Francis scored a career high 43 points, 28 in the second half, to lead the surprising Rockets past the once-seemingly invincible Lakers in Game Seven on Sunday night. Francis, who was playing on a sprained right ankle, also pitched in with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. The seventh-seeded Rockets are the lowest seeded team ever to reach the NBA Finals. In 1995, the Rockets were the sixth seed and swept the Orlando Magic for their second consecutive NBA title. "We love being the underdog," Francis said. "We know most people didn't think we had a chance. Them guys [the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings] haven't had success against the Lakers in the playoffs. It was our turn to try them." The two teams each were undefeated on their home court until Game Seven before a sold-out crowd at the Staples Center. With 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Rockets stunned the home fans, reeling off 16 unanswered points during a seven and a half minute span while all but erasing an 18-point Laker lead. Francis and Cuttino Mobley combined for 14 of the 16 points. Rockets point guard Steve Francis defends Kobe Bryant during the third quarter of Game Five in Houston. Francis' Rockets beat LA 101-99 Sunday and will play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals Tim Johnson NBAE/Getty Images "I don't know. I don't know. Don't ask me what happened. We just crumbled," superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant said. "I really don't know how it happened. The fourth quarter is supposed to be our quarter. I don't know what happened." Bryant scored 35 points, but notched only 2 in the fourth quarter. Shaquille O’Neal was impressive with 41 points, but foul trouble early in the second half kept him from being a factor when it really counted. “Yeah, I needed to be out there,” O’Neal said. “I was a little surprised at the way some of those calls were going, though. Cato was hanging on to my arm the whole game.” After a spectacular slam dunk by Bryant as the first quarter clock expired, the Lakers held a 34-26 advantage. They poured it on even more in the second, going into halftime with a commanding 65-44 lead. But the Rockets never gave up. “When I look at this team, I just see everything I saw in the ’95 Championship team,” Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “I see the will to win, the ferocity, the execution late in the game…I’m so proud of these guys.” Caron Butler, the Rocket’s rookie small forward, chipped in with a career-playoff-high 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. He also scored what proved to be the winning layup. “It’s a dream come true to be picked in the lottery and then help the team get to the Finals,” Butler said after the victory. “Not many guys get to do this. This team is just so tight, like brothers. We got the best player in the league in Stevie, the best coach in the league in Rudy, and the best GM in CD [Carroll Dawson]. Not much more you can ask for.” It’s even more special for Rockets veteran Cuttino Mobley. “I’ve been here for five years,” said Mobley. “I’ve been here for everything. When we had Pip and Dream and Charles. A few of us have were here when we won 45 games…when we were injury-plagued last season and everyone said we [were bad]. It’s a beautiful thing what’s happening now.” The Boston Celtics will test themselves against the Rockets on Wednesday night as they host Houston in Game One of the best-of-seven series. One thing is for sure, however. Whichever team walks off the court with a Larry O’Brien trophy this June is the team that will ultimately declare the outcome of their entire season “beautiful” – whether it’s the 48-win Rockets or the 58-win Celtics.
Seventh seed in the finals would mean the Lakers had the best record in the West, and we all know that's not going to happen!
I liked it except for: Caron Butler, the Rocket’s rookie small forward, chipped in with a career-playoff-high 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. He also scored what proved to be the winning layup. I think that part should read: Rookie Yao Ming who had 10 points 10 rebounds 5 blocks and 5 assists said: "Steve and Cuttino were just on fire tonight." When asked about Shaq, Yao replied: Sure don't see players like him in China. However, I think that after he picked up so many flagrant fouls at the start of the series it caused him to be a little less physical. tonight"
except for the fact, glynch, that it's my fantasy and in my fantasy the Rockets don't have Yao Ming. The Athlete Formally Known as Cato is a beast, and Caron is rookie of the year. Eddie can dribble, he can bang inside on offense, and he swats away everything. Cuttino is smart, consistent, and loves playing that way. Stevie is a top 5 player and he can do everything. I realized when I wrote this the picture didn't match up with Game 7 because it was in Houston. It's weird that it's a "Game 5" pic in a Game 7 article but oh well.
That picture is a thing of beauty. And by the best player who could have possibly done it. I hope that we go with Yao and that Stevie goes on to have a great career.
finalsbound. You should expect comments when you start a thread. That was merely my reaction to your fantasy. I posted mainly because I enjoyed the creativity that you put into the thread.
The seventh-seeded Rockets are the lowest seeded team ever to reach the NBA Finals. In 1995, the Rockets were the sixth seed and swept the Orlando Magic for their second consecutive NBA title. Just a minor note but didn't the Knicks reach the Finals as the 8 seed the year the Spurs won the title?
maybe the east sucks so bad that he doesn't consider the knicks run worthy to be counted as a record. also, how does a game 5 caption help. wouldn't game 5 also be in LA. however, the rest is awesome, although i'd still prefer yao. of course if butler gets us to the finals then it will be yao who (or is it ming who in the US).
Originally posted by finalsbound Caron Butler, the Rocket’s rookie small forward, chipped in with a career-playoff-high 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. He also scored what proved to be the winning layup. To me that was the best part of the thread . I hope that turns out to be true but somehow I doubt it.
Um, in 99 the east wasn't weak..... And how does a run to the finals not count as a record...we beat the Heat, Hawks, and Pacers.....
