Recap Rewind: Just last week Houston was considered the hottest team in the league and was sitting on top of the Western Conference standings. That seems like a long time ago now. Tuesday night the Boston Celtics came to town and ended the 22 game winning streak in decisive fashion as Houston fell 74-94. Then to add insult to injury, Houston traveled to New Orleans the next night and were dispatched by the Hornets 69-90. That was two straight 20 point losses after winning 22 straight games. Houston regained their footing somewhat with a Friday night victory at the Golden State Warriors 109-106. The Saturday night trip to Phoenix resulted in a 113-122 loss to the Suns and left the Rockets 1-3 in four games after they won 22 in a row.
Notable News: In one of the more peculiar story lines of the year, Houston will honor Dikembe Mutombo on Wednesday night during halftime of the Rockets game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Retiring players being honored in front of their home crowds isn’t that unusual but Dikembe hasn’t announced he is retiring yet. Granted the 17 yr veteran is bound to retire some day but isn’t it a bit premature to hold the ceremony before the declaration? Mutombo was quoted this way. “It is a celebration of Dikembe Mutombo’s career as it’s getting close to saying goodbye to the game.” It should be noted that Mutombo was laughing while saying this. Honored guests for the ‘near’ retirement party include David Stern and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander.
Fast Forward: Houston returns home from their tough road trip to play Sacramento Monday night and Indiana Wednesday night. Wednesday night is Minnesota and the week ends at San Antonio on Sunday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION REPORTS
Dallas Mavericks/Houston Rockets/Memphis Grizzlies/New Orleans Hornets/San Antonio Spurs
