This series might last a while
To paraphrase Charles Barkley, the rabbit still doesn't have the gun, but it is alive, which is more than many people expected prior to Game 3 of the Jazz-Rockets series Thursday night.
If you recall, Barkley pulled a perfect quote out of his hat in 1998, after Houston beat the favored Jazz in Game 2 of a first-round series and took home-court advantage away the defending Western Conference champions.
"Now," Barkley said, "the rabbit's got the gun."
Translation: Houston went from being the hunted to being the hunter with its 105-90 victory that evened the series, 1-1.
In this series, the Rockets weren't overpowering in Games 1 and 2, but they prevailed because the Jazz struggled with their offense.
Many believed Houston would come to Utah, play much better, take a 3-0 lead and finish off the Jazz in Games 4 or 5.
As it turned out, however, it was the Jazz's turn to win with just enough offense, plenty of defense and a 33-0 advantage in off-the-bench scoring.
Hello, Bonzi Wells.
The Rockets' major offseason addition, Wells did not contribute during the season because of injury and conditioning problems. He won't play in the postseason.
At his best, Wells is the sixth man the Rockets don't have right now. Luther Head filled the role decently during the regular season, but he's been a nonfactor in the first three games against Utah, scoring seven points on 2-for-16 shooting.
Unless the Rockets get more from their nonstarters, this series is going to last awhile.
Depth isn't the most critical factor in the playoffs, but Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady can't do it alone.
-- Steve Luhm
If you recall, Barkley pulled a perfect quote out of his hat in 1998, after Houston beat the favored Jazz in Game 2 of a first-round series and took home-court advantage away the defending Western Conference champions.
"Now," Barkley said, "the rabbit's got the gun."
Translation: Houston went from being the hunted to being the hunter with its 105-90 victory that evened the series, 1-1.
In this series, the Rockets weren't overpowering in Games 1 and 2, but they prevailed because the Jazz struggled with their offense.
Many believed Houston would come to Utah, play much better, take a 3-0 lead and finish off the Jazz in Games 4 or 5.
As it turned out, however, it was the Jazz's turn to win with just enough offense, plenty of defense and a 33-0 advantage in off-the-bench scoring.
Hello, Bonzi Wells.
The Rockets' major offseason addition, Wells did not contribute during the season because of injury and conditioning problems. He won't play in the postseason.
At his best, Wells is the sixth man the Rockets don't have right now. Luther Head filled the role decently during the regular season, but he's been a nonfactor in the first three games against Utah, scoring seven points on 2-for-16 shooting.
Unless the Rockets get more from their nonstarters, this series is going to last awhile.
Depth isn't the most critical factor in the playoffs, but Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady can't do it alone.
-- Steve Luhm
12:36 AM
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