Rockets’ Pride, Effort Not Enough as Kings Prevail 88-80 By Dennis L. Silva, II. 1.11.06 There’s no scapegoat. You can’t blame the coaches because the fact that the Houston Rockets have competed with their top three leading scorers out due to injury is admirable in itself. You can’t blame the players because they hustle and sacrifice even knowing well enough that they lack on the talent side. In a season that seems to be losing all life game after game, the Rockets still manage to give 100% night in and night out. Unfortunately, most nights that won’t win games, and Wednesday was no different as the Sacramento Kings snared an 88-80 victory before 12,252 at the Toyota Center. The Rockets’ offense looked to be in complete disarray, even more so than usual, as Sacramento rushed to a 10-6 lead early in the game. Houston was forced to fire away from 3-point range (1-11 from downtown in the first half) as the lack of an inside presence offensively was severely exposed. Rafer Alston tried to take the responsibility as an offensive threat but missed his first five shots as the Kings led 18-13 heading into the second quarter. Sacramento’s offense fell apart to start the second period as the Kings started with 1-4 shooting from the floor. The Rockets’ offense didn’t produce much more, but Houston stayed close by attacking the offensive glass (10 offensive rebounds) which led to a 14-4 advantage in second-chance points. When Juwan Howard (11 points and seven rebounds in the first half) scored on a breakaway lay-up, Houston had managed a 23-23 tie with 7:32 remaining. But the Kings’ answered with an 11-3 run to bump their lead back to 8, 34-26. Houston appeared timid to attack the basket, whereas Sacramento seemed willing and able to do so. The Kings led 43-36 at halftime. Sacramento’s edge was pushed to 12 early in the third quarter. Brad Miller hit a long jumper, and Kevin Martin nailed a 3-pointer in route to another fast start by the Kings. But Houston’s effort knew no peer as the Rockets snared six more offensive boards in the quarter, and when Luther Head nailed a trey from the left wing, Houston’s deficit was a mere four points with 2:35 remaining. However, they would not escape the quarter with the same momentum as Mike Bibby (19 points, 8 assists) hit a three late to give Sacramento a 66-57 edge heading into the fourth quarter. From that point, it appeared that the Rockets’ energy and focus were running on empty. Houston allowed the Kings to penetrate the lane as they so pleased, which allowed for easy scoring opportunities for Corliss Williamson (19 points) and Miller. That’s when Rockets head coach went deep into his nine-man bench and put in Moochie Norris, who sparked a Rockets 7-0 run with four quick points and an assist. David Wesley (17 points, 3 assists) drained a three-pointer to pull the Rockets within six before Francisco Garcia (12 points, 3-4 on threes) nailed a trey to put the Kings back up eight late. Houston closed to within five on an Alston three (15 points, 5 assists, three steals) within the game’s final two minutes, but Houston would not get closer as both Norris and Head missed clutch treys late. The Rockets have two days off before playing the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at home Saturday night. The team is at a helpless stage at this point, considering that the effort and the energy is at a high level, but the execution (which comes from experience and talent) is not at the same intensity due to so many significant contributors holding spots on the inactive list. ROCKETS RECAP · Houston outrebounded Sacramento 53-43, and 19-6 on the offensive glass. · Dikembe Mutombo had a season-high 18 rebounds (7 offensive) in 33 minutes. · Juwan Howard contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds. · Sacramento shot 27-33 from the free-throw line while Houston shot 9-17. · Sacramento’s bench outscored Houston’s 36-16 http://www.nba.com/games/20060111/SACHOU/boxscore.html
