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Philippines, 19 May 2024 |
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NBA - Rockets ready for playoff launch By Bernard Pagusara PhilBoxing.com Fri, 18 Apr 2014 NEW ORLEANS -- The Pelicans gave their fans a treat by ending an injury-laden season with a 105-100 victory over the Houston Rockets Wednesday night at the Smoothie King Center here in New Orleans. Tyreke Evans had another big night and finished with four rebounds shy of a triple-double by recording 25 points, 10 assists and 6 boards. He electrified the arena with almost every move and had Rockets head coach Kevin McHale scratching his head. But the mood of the Rockets locker room wasn?t at all sad or gloomy. There was a sense of calm jubilation, and not a shadow of worry around. ?Tonight is a game, whether (you) win or loss, there wasn?t gonna be a change in the standings.? Said coach Kevin McHale, who sat most of his starters. The Rockets are locked in at fourth spot in the Western conference, and is sure to face the Portland Trail Blazers. The decision to rest his regulars, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik became imminent. They knew the Blazers are going to take it to them, and are matched up well with the Rockets. Their series will feature, Nicholas Batum going with Chandler Parsons, Damian Lillard and Patrick Beverly will try to out-run and out-gun each other. Wes Matthews and James Harden will be interesting and key to the series. Harden remains to be the hottest Rocket in the planet. Averaging 25.4 points and 6.1 assists, Harden will be the compass of the Houston Rockets. They will go where Harden goes. And of course, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge will be the centers of attention. A match up good enough for the Gods of Olympus to see. But will the match up even happen? Coach Terry Stotts of the Trail Blazers will try to avoid this match up and place Robin Lopez on Howard defensively. With this strategy, he can have Terrence Jones on LaMarcus Aldridge, a more favorable situation for the Blazers offensively. Meanwhile, Howard was more relaxed than ever in the locker room after their loss to the Pelicans. He was seated, laid back, foot dipped in ice with a whole sack of popcorn beside him, joking around with the press people. Inviting all of us to take a share of his popcorn. He said he was taking it to the playoffs, and that it would be his snack the entire time. ?I wanted to give some time, I wanted to see what we can do when they?re double teaming Howard.? Said Kevin McHale on how he?s trying to prepare Howard for the playoffs. ?( I ) wanted to let him play out of a double team, picture out and let him play make from the post.? He added. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Bernard Pagusara.  |
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