Rockets-Hornets Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Apr 19 2012 1:23AM

The Houston Rockets have lost their grip on one of the final playoff berths in the Western Conference. Their play against the New Orleans Hornets might determine whether they can regain their spot.

The Rockets will play the first of two games against the Hornets over the season's final week Thursday night in New Orleans.

A season high-tying five consecutive defeats have dropped Houston (32-30) from sixth in the West to a tie for ninth, and subpar defensive efforts have played a part in that skid. A 117-110 loss in Dallas on Wednesday marked the fifth straight time the Rockets allowed an opponent to top the century mark.

Houston made a season-high 12 3-pointers and shot 50 percent, but the Mavericks sank 11 of their own while shooting 51.9 percent.

"We could use some help," forward Chandler Parsons said. "We have to stay together, we can't get our heads down. As crazy as it sounds, it's not over yet."

The Rockets will try to get their bid for a first playoff berth since 2008-09 back on track during a closing stretch that includes three games against sub-.500 teams.

Houston, who trail eighth-place Utah by one-half game, will face New Orleans again in the regular-season finale next Thursday at the Toyota Center. They'll also play a home game against a short-handed Golden State squad Saturday and visit Miami the next day.

"We still believe in our chances," guard Goran Dragic said. "Ten days ago, we were really confident, but we've been playing bad. Four games left, win those, we have a chance."

The Hornets (19-43) are one of those sub-.500 teams, and they are coming off a 103-91 loss to Memphis on Wednesday night that ended a season-high four-game win streak.

Jerome Dyson had a team-best 24 points during his fifth NBA game, but the Hornets couldn't recover after being outscored 37-12 in the third quarter.

"The third quarter got away in a hurry," coach Monty Williams said. "We didn't have the execution we needed, and that is part of the growth that we need to see from our young guys.

"When we started to get behind, I looked at the lineup and realized it was all youth. We didn't have any veterans or experience to slow the game down."

The Rockets will try to avoid their longest skid since dropping six straight to bridge the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons by earning their third win in four games against New Orleans. Houston, though, needed to rally in overtime for a 90-88 victory Jan. 19.

The Rockets led by 12 entering the fourth quarter of that game but matched a franchise low by scoring seven points during the period. They trailed by five with 1:44 remaining in the extra session before tallying seven straight points.

Samuel Dalembert had five of those, including the tiebreaking dunk with 11 seconds left, and Kevin Martin scored 27 of his team-best 32 points in the first half.

Martin, however, hasn't played since March 11 because of a shoulder injury. Dragic, though, has picked up the slack by averaging 20.5 points in his last 11 games.

Hornets hurt Rockets' playoff hopes, 105-99 in OT

By BRETT MARTEL
Posted Apr 20 2012 12:17AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Eric Gordon would like to see New Orleans rewarded with some good karma in the NBA's draft lottery.

The Hornets will certainly need it the way they're playing lately, because all this winning isn't helping their chances of landing the top overall pick.

Gordon scored 27 points, Carl Landry had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and New Orleans dealt a blow to reeling Houston's playoff hopes with a 105-99 overtime victory Thursday night, the Rockets' sixth straight loss.

"A lot of people expected us to tank, but you've got to play for the fans and give them something to look forward to next year," said Gordon, whose Hornets have won only 20 games all season, but also have seven victories in their last 10 games. "We knew (the Rockets) were still trying to make the playoffs, but the best team won tonight."

Goran Dragic scored 23 points and Chase Budinger tied a season-high with 22 points for Houston (32-31), which dropped one game behind Utah (33-30) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with three games left.

"A very tough one for us. We needed this one tonight to hopefully try to get back in the playoffs," Budinger said. "This one definitely hurts everybody, hurts our team and hurts our chances. ... You can never give up. There's definitely still hope for us. You've just got to win out and hope that other teams lose."

Al-Farouq Aminu scored 17 points, Marco Belinelli had 13 points, and Gustavo Ayon had nine points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which used a 9-0 run in overtime to take control.

The Rockets took their last lead when Luis Scola scored inside to make it 89-87 with 3:19 to go in the extra period.

Landry responded with an inside basket to tie it, then scored again underneath while being fouled after Ayon found him with a precision pass from the lane.

After Budinger missed a 3-point attempt, Aminu added a short but difficult rainbow jumper. Then Gordon broke up Budinger's pass and got the ball back from Greivis Vasquez for a breakaway dunk that made it 96-89 with 1:32 to go.

Houston could not recover.

"I really don't know what happened," said Scola, who finished with 11 points. "I'm trying to find the answer and I just can't it. ... All of a sudden we started missing shots. We felt the pressure and could not finish the game."

Courtney Lee had 15 points for the Rockets, while Marcus Camby had 14, none in the second half when he was bothered by a sore back. Houston shot 51.2 percent in the first half, when Camby made seven of eight shots including several jumpers that spread out New Orleans' defense. In the second half and overtime, when Camby played less than 9 minutes and missed his only two shots, Houston shot 35 percent (21 for 60).

"It's been tough. I've pretty much been playing off adrenaline and the urge to try and get into the playoffs," Camby said. "I'm just trying to give the team everything that I got. I reached my limit today."

Houston trailed most of the fourth quarter but took the lead when Lee drained a transition 3 from the corner and Patrick Patterson added a fast-break layup to make it 83-81 with 2:30 to go.

The Hornets tied it on Landry's putback. The teams then exchanged one-point leads four times. After the Hornets had gone ahead 87-86 on Ayon's jumper, Budinger missed a late 3 for the lead and the rebound fell to Vasquez. Lee sneaked in to steal the ball from behind and was fouled, giving him a chance to put Houston back in front with 15.3 seconds left. He made only one free throw to tie it, however, then Gordon missed a step-back jumper in the final seconds of regulation, forcing the extra session.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, the Hornets pulled to 51-43 by halftime and then surged into the lead when they opened the second half on a 13-4 run. It started with Smith's consecutive jumpers and Gordon later added and 3 and two free throws he set up with a steal, putting New Orleans up 56-55.

Gordon reached the 20-point mark - for the fifth time in his eight games this season - in the third quarter, during which the Hornets outscored Houston 26-13. The Rockets made only six of 20 shots in the period, after which they trailed 69-64.

"That third quarter was terrible," Houston coach Kevin McHale said disgustedly after one of only three questions he answered before cutting off the postgame interview. "We just need to get ready and play (Saturday night at home against Golden State). This is the NBA. You just need to get it done."

Notes: The Hornets improved to 6-2 in games Gordon has played. ... New Orleans, which was playing its home finale, won six of its last seven home games. ... The Rockets won the only previous meeting in Houston, also in overtime, and the teams will meet there once more in the final regular season game for both teams. ... Announced attendance was 18,315, the Hornets' fifth sellout of the season.

Notebook: Hornets 105, Rockets 99

Posted Thursday April 19, 2012 11:45PM

By Larry Holder, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: Eric Gordon scored a game-high 27 points as the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Houston Rockets 105-99 on Thursday night in the New Orleans Arena. The Rockets have now lost six consecutive games and are free falling out of the Western Conference playoff picture. Houston's loss put the team one game behind Utah for the eighth and final playoff spot.

QUOTABLE: "We're just trying to play the game. We knew they were still trying to make the playoffs, but the best team won tonight. They're still a really good team. Hopefully they make the playoffs, but we;re just trying to get better."
-- Eric Gordon on the win

THE STAT: The Rockets led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter and figured they were sitting pretty. Then Houston only scored 13 points in the third quarter to let the Hornets, who came into Thursday night's game with the third worst record in the NBA, back into the game. The breakdown may cost the Rockets a playoff spot.

TURNING POINT: Hornets forward Carl Landry did the dirty work underneath the basket in overtime. His layup with 2:57 remaining in the extra session tied the game at 89. Then the Rockets' Patrick Patterson took a quick shot on the next possession. Landry then cemented the win with another layup while being fouled off a nice pass from Gustavo Ayon. Landry nailed the free throw as well and the Hornets never looked back. Landry ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds as he may have played his final home game with the Hornets as he will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

HOT: Hornets forward Al-Farouq Aminu has had his fair share of down moments this season. But he has displayed steady improvement as the season has progressed. He scored a season-high 17 points along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and no turnovers.

NOT: Rockets forward Chandler Parsons was nowhere to be found. The starter went 1 of 9 from the floor for only three points.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Rockets guard Goran Dragic continues to displayed why he'll likely be a hot commodity come free agency in the offseason. He scored a team-high 23 points and added eight assists, five rebounds and one steal.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Plenty of actors were in the New Orleans Arena on Thursday for the Hornets' home season finale: Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson.

NOTABLE: The Hornets are 4-1 since Saints owner Tom Benson bought the franchise. ... Hornets forward Jason Smith busted his nose with less than three minutes left in the game after being knocked in the face by Patterson on a made layup. Smith didn't return to the game, but he did remain on the bench. ... Rockets center Marcus Camby started for the second consecutive game and his injured wrist and back didn't appear to bother him as he scored 14 points on a 7-for-10 performance from the floor. ... Rockets guard Kevin Martin missed his 11th straight game with a shoulder injury. Houston coach Kevin McHale was hopeful Martin could have returned Thursday night. It's pretty apparent Houston could use Martin considering its string of losses down the stretch. ... Hornets forward Trevor Ariza hasn't left the bench during the last seven games as New Orleans coach Monty Williams said he isn't playing Ariza because he wants to see his younger players see more playing time. Ariza isn't injured.

UP NEXT: For the Rockets, Saturday vs. Golden State, Sunday @ Miami, Thursday vs. New Orleans. For the Hornets, Sunday @ L.A. Clippers, Tuesday @ Golden State, Thursday @ Houston.

• Rockets: Fortson, Simpson, Smith
• Hornets: Jack, Okafor

• Rockets: --
• Hornets: --

• Lead Changes: 18
• Times Tied: 11

• Arena: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
• Officials: #49 Tom Washington, #18 Matt Boland, #73 Tre Maddox
• Attendance: 18315
• Duration: 2:32