HOUSTON ROCKETS
Recap Rewind: Not a bad week for the Rockets. They came out of LA with wins against both the Clippers and Lakers, needing OT to beat the latter. Yao Ming had 39 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks against the Lakers, while Tracy McGrady scored 30 points. The Rockets returned to Houston on Sunday but fell to the visiting Utah Jazz, 83-86. Yao was spectacular again, this time going for 35, 16 and 4.
Notable News: That game against Utah was a likely preview of a first-round Playoff match-up. The 47-27 Rockets now trail the fourth-place Jazz by 1.5 games in the standings. Of course, fourth place means homecourt in the first round. Utah lead the season series, 2-1, with the final meeting between these teams set for April 18th... doubts the Rockets can go very far with Rafer Alston running the point... Fran Blinebury doubts the team as a whole... After those excellent performances noted above, it was no surprise that Yao Ming picked up Western Conference Player of the Week honors... Interesting fact: Tracy McGrady has never won a Playoff series.
Fast Forward: On Wednesday, the Rockets host the Golden State Warriors, and stay home to play the Blazers on Friday. They begin a three-game road trip Sunday at Sacramento. Their second stop is Seattle next Monday to play the Supersonics.
