Print
Rockets shut down Nets for 19th consecutive win
Houston 91, New Jersey 73
Video Recap
Box Score
Print
RSS Feed
Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- The Rockets are beginning to join some elite company with their historic run into the NBA record books.
Right now, they're making it look easy.
Before another packed house at Toyota Center, the Rockets rolled over the struggling New Jersey Nets in a 91-73 laugher Monday night to match the third longest winning streak in league history.
The Rockets (43-20) extended their franchise-record winning streak to 19 games and matched an NBA record by collecting their 10th straight victory by double figures.
Houston can match Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks for the second-longest winning streak in league history by beating the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Since holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers for an eight-point victory back on Feb. 19, the Rockets have beaten every opponent in their path by at least 10 points. Houston pulled off its latest win by shutting down New Jersey's offense to build as much as a 27-point advantage in the second half before resting their starters in the fourth quarter.
The Rockets are making their improbable run look easy -- even if it's not.
"I kind of laugh because this is not as easy as people think it is," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "Some of the national media people are saying how we haven't beaten any good teams. You know what? Everyone in this league plays the same schedule so why hasn't somebody else done it? I don't see the problem with saying, 'You know? That's pretty remarkable what they've done.'"
The Rockets added to their impressive streak by shutting the Nets down with their usual brand of defense.
During a defensive clinic in the first half, Houston
held the Nets to a meager 28 points on 20.9 percent shooting. Dikembe Mutombo, who had two points and six rebounds, swatted four of his season-high five blocks in the first 24 minutes to set the tone.
Unsurprisingly, New Jersey never recovered. The Nets didn't make a three-pointer and clanked their way through a 30.4 percent shooting performance, the worst effort against Houston this season.
Vince Carter led the Nets with 13 points after struggling through a 5-of-15 performance.
"Defense wins ball games and that's what we're great at," Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said. "We didn't shoot the ball
particularly
well and our defense bailed us out. In this league, one thing you're going to have is off-nights on the offensive end. One thing you can control is how you play defense."
The Rockets didn't break the century mark for the first time in the past six games.
But Houston still got enough scoring to thump the Nets. McGrady overcame a rough first half to lead the Rockets with 19 points and four assists. Luis Scola and Rafer Alston each added 12 points.
The Rockets actually broke this one open with their reserves. With the second unit opening the second quarter clinging to a 22-17 lead, Houston bolted on a 19-5 run that seized control of the game. Steve Novak hit a pair of three-pointers and Luther Head added a couple of big buckets over the spurt.
By the time McGrady and the starters returned, the Rockets were cruising with a 41-22 advantage.
"Our bench play has been outstanding," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "We have a lot of confidence. We look good on the bench. Take a guy like Mike Harris who was playing in China this time last week. He comes in and gives us solid minutes and solid defense. One of our strengths is our bench play -- no question."
The Rockets are ascending up the standings with such play.
With Monday's victory, Houston moved
within a game of the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the Western Conference.
During the streak, the Rockets have leaped from 10th to third in the West.
"(Before the game,) I told them they have a double whammy going," Adelman said. "Not only do you have a chance to do something remarkable and keep this streak going, but also, every time you win, you keep shortening the season. You keep that lead that you have over other people and you're moving up the standings."
The Rockets are doing it with little trouble. But even if the wins aren't coming as easily as they look, the Rockets are impressed with the company they're joining in the NBA record books.
The Lakers were the last team to win 19 games, pulling off the feat during the 1999-2000 season. With one more win, the Rockets would be one of only three teams to win 20 in a row.
The other two? The Lakers won 33 in a row with Wilt Chamberlain in 1971-72 and Abdul-Jabbars' Bucks in 1970-71.
"It's impressive," Alston said. "We keep adding on the games. We've got 19 (wins in a row). It's fantastic to have your team mentioned with some of the best teams and some of the best players to have ever played the game. It says a lot about our ball club."
