Defense was key to the Rockets systematic dismantling of the New Orleans Hornets Monday night, 86-66. The Hornets' much ballyhooed point guard, Chris Paul, was checkmated by a swarming team defense, begining with the Rockets point guard tandem of Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry and continued with Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Von Wafer picking him up off the pick and roll. Paul was simply not allowed to be the deciding factor in the game and none of the other Hornets was capable of picking up the slack. Credit Adelman's game plan for this one.
Though Artest and Brooks both suffered an abyssmal shooting night, they made sure their opponents did too, allowing the fewest points scored by an opponent all season. Though Brooks was the starter, the Rockets did not take the lead until Lowry came in and in fact, Lowry played more minutes than Brooks. It was Kyle's best defensive game so far, again lending credence to the Rockets' chances in the playoffs. The playoffs are much more defense-oriented and this game is a good indicator that Lowry and his teammates are learning to work and play well together.
So now it's off to Dallas for the final game of the season. Can anyone believe that on the last day, that it is still possible for the Rockets to match up against any of seven teams in the playoffs? That's the Western Conference for you - rough, tough and competitive as hell. The good news is that if the Rockets win on Wednesday, they will finish as division champs and have at least one round of home court advantage. Nike, baby. Just do it!
Though Artest and Brooks both suffered an abyssmal shooting night, they made sure their opponents did too, allowing the fewest points scored by an opponent all season. Though Brooks was the starter, the Rockets did not take the lead until Lowry came in and in fact, Lowry played more minutes than Brooks. It was Kyle's best defensive game so far, again lending credence to the Rockets' chances in the playoffs. The playoffs are much more defense-oriented and this game is a good indicator that Lowry and his teammates are learning to work and play well together.
So now it's off to Dallas for the final game of the season. Can anyone believe that on the last day, that it is still possible for the Rockets to match up against any of seven teams in the playoffs? That's the Western Conference for you - rough, tough and competitive as hell. The good news is that if the Rockets win on Wednesday, they will finish as division champs and have at least one round of home court advantage. Nike, baby. Just do it!
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