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Thursday February 11, 2009 1:05 PM

Rockets Head Into All-Star Break On A High Note

Houston uses big third quarter to cruise past Kings 94-82

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

Houston - Tired of being force-fed reminders of their recent defensive deficiencies, the Rockets responded in a way which ensured at least a temporary reprieve. And should they clamp down like they did in the middle quarters Wednesday night, it may just become a permanent one.

After holding Sacramento to a season-low 10 second quarter points, the Rockets broke open a tight game by blitzing the Kings 35-21 in the third frame, allowing Houston to cruise to a 94-82 victory at Toyota Center.

With the win, the Rockets improved their record to 32-21 heading into the All-Star break, while simultaneously taking a significant step away from the bitter feelings left over from Monday night’s disappointing loss to Milwaukee.

“Tonight we played some defense which is very important,” said Yao Ming, who dominated down low with 24 points and 18 rebounds. “Now, we are getting an All-Star break and I think that we need to think about what kind of game we want to play. Would we like to play how we did in Milwaukee or would we like to play how we did tonight on the defensive end? I think we all know the answer to that question.”

Also on the Rockets’ agenda moving forward will be taking better care of the ball; especially down the stretch. Houston committed a whopping 22 turnovers Wednesday night; the primary reason why the Rockets saw their 24-point second half lead sliced to as little as 9 late in the game.

“I thought offensively we turned it over so many times, just unforced turnovers, casual turnovers, that we can't just keep making,” said Coach Rick Adelman after the game. “It's mind boggling, some of the ones that we make. I don't understand them. It's just something that when we get back from this break we've really got to work at; we've really got to start getting more consistent.”

So clearly there’s still room for improvement. But there’s also a burning desire to get better; a feeling which stems from the Rockets’ steadfast belief that their best basketball still lies before them.

“I definitely think it does,” said Adelman. “I really do believe that. We’ve had enough quality wins that we’ve shown how we can play. And we’re going to have to do it. It’s going to be a challenge for us. It’s going to be a tough last [29] games before the playoff race. That’s what we’re looking at and I really do believe we can get much better and more consistent if we just come with the same resolve.”

And 1’s: At halftime of Wednesday’s game, Tracy McGrady addressed the media after an earlier MRI revealed no change in his left knee from a prior diagnosis. T-Mac missed the Sacramento contest due to precautionary reasons and is expected to seek additional medical opinions in the coming days.

“Everything’s the same,” said McGrady. “That’s the problem. With rest, I feel better. But where’s that gonna get me? It’s not fair to the guys to rest and come back and, what, five, six games later I’m feeling the same?

“I have to, for myself and for this team, fix the problem to where I don’t have it any more.”

McGrady’s status will be re-evaluated when the team returns from the All-Star Break.

QUOTES

RICK ADELMAN

(On the win) “It was good to get the win before the break. I just thought the first half we kept them in the game with the turnovers, the foolish turnovers. We had a little spurt at the end of the second quarter and in the third quarter we were much better. We pushed the ball better. We took care of the ball, got the ball into Yao. We played much better in the second half than we did in the first half.”

(On the defense in the 2nd & 3rd quarter) “They made a lot of shots. I wasn't really disappointed with our defense the first quarter. I thought they got some balls in deep on us, which they shouldn't have, but they made some shots. We weren't letting them get to the basket. We were keeping them off the line. Kevin (Martin) finally got to the line at the end. I thought we were okay.

YAO MING

(On Tracy's injuries) “Last year I was out for the year. People need to think about that and how we kept rolling. Obviously, that's a loss for us with him (Tracy) missing games but we have to keep playing with what we have.”

RAFER ALSTON

(On his 13 assists) “It was a good ball movement, forcing the pace. It was another night of not only making other teams run, but getting our guys to run as well. We've got to try to do it on a consistent basis, run up and down the court and get quick and easy buckets, try to take a little pressure off our half court offense.”

(On the All Star break) “It's a catch-22 for us. We could use the break, guys could use the break to rest and get healthy and also we could use it to practice because we haven't played good or consistent with the fact that we've had guys in and out for the first half of the season. We could use work especially on the defensive side of the ball.”

LUIS SCOLA

(On the Rockets holding the Kings to 10 points in 2nd quarter) “I think we were playing good defensively and we were not letting them get easy shots. I think we played pretty good defense the whole game.”

I think there’s still time to turn this around and start playing good, but we have to do it now. We can get better. We can’t be too excited about [our win tonight]. We played a team which is under .500 and if we’re going to be a playoff contender, a team that is like the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics, we can’t be amazed by the fact we beat Sacramento at home. We can’t be surprised by that.

SHANE BATTIER

(On the key to the win) “It was a great effort by our guys tonight. It is a professional effort. That last game before the All Star break is sometimes tough but we have a lot of motivation after the egg that we laid in Milwaukee. We came out and we wanted to play great defense and it was a solid defensive performance tonight.”

(On the Rockets defense) “I thought we played pretty good defense. They (Kings) made a lot of jump shots and those are what we hope to give every night instead of paint shots and three point shots. We stayed with our game plan. We have to establish ourselves defensively.”

RON ARTEST

(On the importance of tonights win) “The most important thing is coming back and getting a win the next game that we play. That's the most important thing right now.”

(On the Rockets defense) “We really focused on our defense and we started moving the ball on the offensive end. We were able to really pick it up in the third quarter.”

(On the Kings) “With Kevin Martin and John Salmons over there, when they get going they are pretty hard to stop and we were able to minimize their effectiveness early.”

KINGS INTERIM COACH KENNY NATT

(on the game) “I thought we made some strides and played really well in the first half. We put them on the line too much. We have to work hard for 48 minutes and 36 minutes just will not get the job done. That 3rd quarter was a big blow for us. Our guys were not passing the ball and playing together as a team. We tend to take too many isolation shots and when they are not falling, we get into trouble.”

JOHN SALMONS

(on the key to the game) “It was more of our third quarter problems. It really killed us. The second quarter we hung tough but let the game get away in the third quarter.”

(on his health) “It’s always day to day and it the only way I can take it. With my back being stiff, I really couldn’t get things going. It will be good to get away for a couple of days and then come back refreshed.”

FRANCISCO GARCIA

(on the key to the game) “We came out lackadaisical and they jumped on us and made a big run.. Artest hit some big shots to get them going. He’s a big time player. He played good and showed how good a player he is.”

BOBBY JACKSON

(on the key to the game) “It was the third quarter. That’s what’s been killing us all season. We have been giving the other team easy baskets and then we turn the ball over. The third quarter kills us every time. We just didn’t play any defense.”

SPENCER HAWES

(on the team’s play) “It’s been an indication of our play this season. We haven’t been able to put things together.”

(on defending Yao Ming) “He’s not just 7’6” and 300 pounds because he is a skilled a player as they come. When Houston is hitting their shots, he is very tough to stop.”

NOTES

Houston recorded a 94-82 win tonight over Sacramento , extending their home winning streak over the Kings to five straight games.

The Rockets limited the Kings to opponent season lows in first-half (35) and second-quarter (10) scoring. The previous lows were 36 first-half points done three times (last on 1/17/09 vs. Miami ) and 14 second-quarter points by Milwaukee at Houston (12/31/08). The 10 second-quarter points by the Kings actually set the lowest overall opponent quarter this season, surpassing the 11 fourth-quarter points by the Celtics at Boston (1/7/09).

Houston registered a season-best 35 third-quarter points tonight, surpassing the previous high of 31 points done four times prior (last on 2/3/09 vs. Chicago ).

The Rockets outrebounded the Kings by a 42-29 (+13) count tonight, as Sacramento tied Houston ’s opponent low in rebounds (29 by Hawks on 1/3/09 at Atlanta ). Houston also took a 42-32 (+10) edge off the glass in the last meeting vs. Sacramento (12/19/08).

Yao Ming finished with 24 points (8-18 FG, 8-8 FT), 18 rebounds and one block tonight. Yao also had 30 points (11-13 FG, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the prior meeting vs. Sacramento (12/19/08). The Rockets are now 20-2 this season when Yao scores 20 or more points.

Luis Scola posted 19 points (6-11 FG, 7-9 FT) and 11 rebounds to mark his 16th double-double of 2008-09. Dating back to his rookie season, Houston now holds a record of 18-8 when Scola records a double-double.

Ron Artest notched 19 points (7-12 FG, 3-7 3FG, 2-2 FT) and four assists, which followed his 20-point (6-11 FG, 4-5 3FG) performance at Milwaukee (2/9/09). Artest just missed posting his second set of consecutive 20-point games this season. He posted his first set with a game-high 28 points vs. Utah (12/27/08) and added 20 points vs. Washington (12/29/08).

Rafer Alston dished out a season-high 13 assists tonight, marking the highest assist total for the Rockets this season. Alston now owns three double-digit assist performances in 2008-09. His previous best was 11 helpers vs. Denver (1/19/09).

Tracy McGrady (left knee) did not play tonight for precautionary reasons.

Kevin Martin led five Sacramento players in double-figure scoring with 18 points (5-11 FG, 7-8 FT). Martin and Jason Thompson were the only two Kings with 10 or more points heading into the fourth quarter tonight.

Bobby Jackson, who had a season-high 19 points (3-5 3FG) off the bench for the Kings in the last meeting at Houston (12/19/08), added 15 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3FG) tonight.

Jason Thompson recorded 14 points (6-10 FG) and four rebounds tonight. Thompson has now reached double-digit scoring 31 times this season, including a career-high 22 points vs. Milwaukee (1/16/09).

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