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Monday April 13, 2009 10:20 AM

Rockets Resilient in Win Over Warriors

Scola nets career high in 113-109 victory

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

Houston - Having spent a large part of their season dealing with and overcoming adversity, the Houston Rockets considered themselves uniquely prepared to handle the latest road bump in their path. So when Yao Ming was ruled out with a sore right foot just hours before Friday night’s contest with Golden State, the Rockets didn’t sink into depression or self-doubt. Instead they simply responded with the sort of resiliency which has served as their calling card this year, putting forth a total team effort to fight off the pesky Warriors 113-109.

Leading the way was Luis Scola, who poured in a career-high 28 points as part of a sterling performance which couldn’t have come at a better time. But Scola was hardly a one-man show; he had plenty of help from the likes of the ageless Dikembe Mutombo who turned back the clock once again with 10 points, 15 boards and 4 blocks, and the point guard combo of Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, whose combined efforts resulted in 33 points and 7 assists.

“Tonight, as a team, we squeaked one out,” said Brooks. “We did not play too well, but Yao was out and got some rest, and we got the win, so we accomplished two things today.”

Then Brooks singled out Mutombo’s performance, though not without the requisite dig at Deke’s advancing age.

“It gives Dikembe Mutombo some repetition in games like this if he needs it, he is forty two years old, so I don’t see how many reps he might need. He stepped in and did a great job like we knew he could, and got the job done.”

Mutombo’s inspired effort and that of his teammates allowed the Rockets to overcome the absence of Yao, who was given the night off after experiencing soreness in his right foot while warming up prior to the game. Houston’s All-Star center had initially experienced discomfort in his foot during Tuesday night’s contest against Orlando, but follow up X-rays were negative and Yao played Thursday against Sacramento without difficulty. Friday, however, Yao reported some soreness during his pre-game warm-up so the decision was made to sit him as a precautionary measure. Further tests are scheduled for Saturday.

With the win, Houston maintained its half-game lead atop the Southwest Division as well as its position as the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed.

It was not an easy victory to come by as the Warriors fought gamely despite dealing with their own share of injury issues. Golden State was forced to play without the services of Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Jamal Crawford and Corey Maggette, yet Kelenna Azubuike made sure the Rockets earned their win, repeatedly knocking down big shots on his way to a game-high 32 points.

“It was a terrific game,” said Coach Rick Adelman. “It was also a tough game. They were playing short handed and shooting the ball well. We hung in there and did what we had to do to get the win.”

“I think these types of games are really difficult. They are playing with seven guys basically. Those guys are out there playing and they are trying to show what they can do. They have a good shooting team, but offensively we thought we could go attack them and score. We did that. We got to find out before the playoffs come what’s going to be our bread and butter and that’s what we are trying to find out right now.”

But while Houston may still be searching for the answer to that question, of one thing there is no doubt: When it comes to resilience, the Rockets are second to none.

QUOTES

Rick Adelman:

“It was a terrific game. It was also a tough game. They were playing short handed and shooting the ball well. We hung in there and did what we had to do to get the win.”

“I think these types of games are really difficult. They are playing with seven guys basically. Those guys are out there playing and they are trying to show what they can do. They have a good shooting team, but offensively we thought we could go attack them and score. We did that. We got to find out before the playoffs come what’s going to be our bread and butter and that’s what we are trying to find out right now.”

Ron Artest:

“It definitely was a solid win. We have to make sure we continue to realize what got us here. We have to understand that the reason we are here, is from our defense, and playing together. Yao (Ming) was out tonight, so it gave us a chance to see how we play together with a substitution, and how we can hang in there and play as a team. We showed that tonight.”

“Anthony Randolph and Anthony Morrow are both good players. I wish them the best. They have a chance to be the best at their position in the league if they work hard.”

Aaron Brooks:

“We are still on top of the division. We are trying to hold that lead. Tonight, as a team, we squeaked one out. We did not play too well, but Yao (Ming) was out and got some rest, and we got the win, so we accomplished two things today. It gives Dikembe Mutombo some repetition in games like this, if he needs it, he is forty two years old, so I don’t see how many reps he might need. He stepped in and did a great job like we knew he could, and got the job done.”

Coach Nelson:

“Well we had a great effort from everybody, I have no complaints about the game. We fought hard and stayed in the game I thought had a shot at it , you know here and there, but wasn’t to be. So we’ll pack up our bags and go to Utah tonight…we play Utah tomorrow and I need the same effort and a little bit more up in Utah. We had a couple of career highs, C.J. (Watson) had nine assists no turnovers, quite a game by C.J. Everybody did a great job, just wasn’t t be. Certainly had our problems with (Luis) Scola. I thought (Dikembe) Mutombo came in had an unbelievable performance and hadn’t played much all year, plays 34 minutes, gets 15 rebounds and blocks four shots and I thought was a tremendous factor in the game. One of our great guys (Mutombo) in the league and though you hate to see it against your team he deserves a lot of credit for playing a great game. And (Aaron) little Brooks…. just had trouble keeping him in front of us. On of the quickest in the league and he’s having a great year.

On C.J. Watson: “He’s made the most of his opportunities, as did, I think, all of the guys that had a chance to play… which was seven.

CJ Watson: “We lacked the intensity a little bit the first three quarters, in the fourth quarter we were scrappy, getting rebounds, and making things happen on the defensive and offensive end.”

“I’m just trying to go out there and do the best I can while they are out. I’m trying to go out there and be aggressive on offense and defense and just try and control the tempo and control the team.”

“We couldn’t get the stops we wanted on the defensive end. They got a couple of offensive rebounds on one possession that really hurt us and they ran the clock out and got a good shot at the end. That’s what good teams do.”

Ronny Turiaf:

“We know that’s a tough team, they are one of the top teams in the western conference. They are a hot team and we did our best with the guys we have on the basketball court. They had to play a really, really good game for 48 minutes to beat us.”

(On CJ Watson) “I am very proud of him. He has been a guy that whenever he has been asked to produce or play extended minutes he has always produced. I think he should be very proud of that. People that know basketball and have basketball knowledge see that.”

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