If it's been posted, lock it up. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3042419 Streak hits eight with 30-point win against Wizards By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Perhaps it is the clearest sign yet of how well the hottest team in the NBA is playing that it became particular about how it wins. But the Rockets found Tuesday night that the spring-break strut has just a bit more bounce after acing the midterms. The Rockets had won their previous seven games, but when they blew out the Washington Wizards 123-93 at Toyota Center, they had a win to validate their winning streak the way other wins could not. "This is definitely a win we can feel good about," Rockets guard David Wesley said. "It's nice. It's nice to blow a team out before the break. We could have been struggling. We could have lost thinking about the All-Star break. We came in, took care of business and can feel good going into the break. "It was fun. Everybody got a chance to play. It was the kind of game you want to end on." It was the sort of performance — making a season-best 50 shots to win by the widest margin this season — that they would welcome any time. But the Rockets became picky about how they win when they blew double-digit leads against Indiana and Portland to limp to unsatisfying victories. Against the Blazers on Sunday, the Rockets shot worse from the arc and free-throw line than they had in any game this season. Tuesday, they made 12 of 24 3-pointers and 11 of 13 free throws. They made 39.7 percent of their shots Sunday and shot 59.5 percent Tuesday. No letting up Most of all, they blew a 16-point lead Sunday. Tuesday, they built a 15-point first-half lead, then more than doubled it in the second half. "Tonight, out of the eight games, was probably our best effort on both ends of the floor consistently," guard Jon Barry said. "David did an unbelievable job on (Gilbert) Arenas. We controlled the board. We had 33 assists. We were focused. We were determined not to let this team back in. (The Wizards) lead the league in double-digit comebacks. They're explosive, but we took care of business." It might have helped that the Wizards were playing their fourth game in five nights. Already without guard Larry Hughes, Washington lost Juan Dixon after eight minutes. And Arenas made just three of 14 shots. "That is just a very good Houston Rockets team," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "They execute and take a lot of pride in their defense." Had the Rockets won by merely sucking the life out of the Wizards' offense, the streak also would have reached eight games. But it felt better doing it with five players scoring in double figures, and with Tracy McGrady breaking out of his recent shooting slump, scoring 34 points with nine assists and six rebounds. "He played a really good home game," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I think he's been the most dominant perimeter player in the league on the road, and we need that same thing at home." Extra work pays off McGrady said he was great because of the extra work he put in Monday and Tuesday afternoons. He had made 37 of 102 shots in his previous five games. Tuesday, he knocked down 14 of 22. "I needed to be me," McGrady said. "I've kind of been struggling a little bit the past couple games." With McGrady's shooting touch back, everything was as the Rockets wanted, at least offensively. Yao Ming made 11 of his 14 shots to score 23 points with nine rebounds and four blocked shots in just 32 minutes. Wesley was 8-of-14 for 18 points. Bob Sura led the Rockets in rebounding with 10. Juwan Howard continued his run of strong play, making seven of 13 shots for 18 points. "Everybody is pretty comfortable with their roles, playing together as a team," McGrady said. "Guys are playing with a great deal of confidence. "I think the intensity has picked up, and guys are playing smarter basketball." They also resisted any urge to shout "road trip," at least until the benches were cleared for final three minutes. ""If we go out there with that intensity and that energy and do those things," Wesley said, "we're going to give ourselves a chance to win every night." They just enjoyed this more than the first seven wins during the streak. jonathan.feigen@chron.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rockets Summary Taylor update The Rockets reached the All-Star break with forward Maurice Taylor, the starter when the season began, on the injured list with foot inflammation but insisting he is not injured. "I'm cool," Taylor said. "I'm indifferent. It's not my decision. I'd rather be playing, but that's not my call. I have to do what I can do and be ready when they need me." Asked if he was 100 percent, Taylor said, "Well, I am now." The Rockets have been winning (12-3) since Taylor went on the injured list, but that's not why they have not made a move with him, coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "We're not winning because Mo's not playing," Van Gundy said. "We were 4-1 in the last five games Mo played. "It's not like he wasn't helping us win. Our winning right now has no bearing on him. "When he's ready, he'll be activated." Bashing a Bash Brother Tracy McGrady, devoted seam head that he is, jumped at a chance to wade into Jose Canseco's charges about steroid use in baseball. "What we call him in the 'hood is a `straight sellout,' " McGrady said. "That's what he is. He is a straight sellout. When people rat on players you played with, teammates, guys you competed with and against, one thing is in this business, whether it's baseball, basketball, you're one big family. You rat guys out like that, you're not right." On the main court The Rockets moved Monday's practice and Tuesday's shootaround from the practice gym to the Toyota Center court. Tracy McGrady endorsed the change. "I like it," McGrady said. "That's what we did in Orlando. You just get a better feel for the arena and for the goals. ... The more chances I get to shoot in this arena, the better I will be." McGrady was 14-for-22 on Tuesday night. In his previous four home games, he had made 32 of 90 shots. Yao Ming said the change could only help. "Everybody was thinking the same thing: Practice on the main court, and maybe it will be different," Yao said. Press row view Most teams that win eight consecutive games cannot offer the perk the Rockets do. But at Toyota Center, even when the home team is winning by double digits, you can hear the players' conversations. No one is rude enough to cheer when the coaches are talking. It's nice, pleasant, like golf. Tuesday, the Rockets seemed to have mastered playing without all that energy in the building, though that might explain why they practiced in the empty arena the past two days. Inside the numbers 35 -- First-quarter points for the Rockets, matching a season high. 10 -- Rebounds Tuesday for Bob Sura. 25 -- Threshold in assists the Rockets have met or surpassed six times in their streak. Did you know? The Rockets have moved to 11 games over .500, with a record at least 10 games better than .500 at the break for the first time since a 32-16 mark in 1996-97.
"We're not winning because Mo's not playing," Van Gundy said. "We were 4-1 in the last five games Mo played." What gives JVG? You actually keepin' track or somethin'?!?
Naww... This article demonstrates the class that JVG, the ball club, and Mo Taylor have. JVG has his "4-1" quote memorized because he knows that Mo's inactivity will prompt press questions. And he chooses to defend Mo. Taylor also knows that those questions will come. It's also possible that, if the ball club is shopping him around, he may know that too. How does he respond? By stating "I have to do what I can do and be ready when they need me." How many whining biotches are there in the NBA that are complaining about not getting any PT? and Mo's not even suited up! Don't get me wrong - I think we could prosper from trading Mo, and I don't thing he's ever lived up to his potential, but he sure does have the right attitude (and why not? they guy's getting paid millions to attend Rockets games as a spectator in the front row). -- droxford
