TALE OF THE TAPE
VS. 43-35 RECORD 41-37 W1 STREAK W3 4-6 LAST 10 5-5 89.6 PTS. SCORED 97.4 87.6 PTS. ALLOWED 96.1 42.9 REBOUNDS 42.3 19.3 ASSISTS 21.9 .442 FG% .443 .409 OPP. FG% .454

The Rockets tonight return home following a brief two-game road trip through Golden State and L.A. to host the Denver Nuggets for the final time this season.

Tonight’s game looms large for Houston for a couple of reasons. Denver is one of the teams, along with Utah and Portland, the Rockets are battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference and a win tonight would move Houston one step closer to eliminating the Nuggets from contention.

PROBABLE STARTERS
ROCKETS NUGGETS J. JACKSON 12.8 ppg F ANTHONY 21.1 ppg CATO 6.1 ppg F NENE 11.7 ppg YAO 17.6 ppg C CAMBY 8.3 ppg FRANCIS 16.5 ppg G MILLER 14.9 ppg MOBLEY 15.7 ppg G BARRY 6.2 ppg

After opening the season with a convincing 102-85 win over Denver, Houston has dropped two straight to the Nuggets. In their most recent matchup a week ago today at Pepsi Center, Denver placed eight players in double figures scoring on the way to a 110-100 victory.

The Rockets turned in a less than stellar effort on the defensive end, allowing more points in four quarters than in any other game this season.

"We are very close to the playoffs and we seem to be treating it like we are already in," Yao Ming said. "We didn't do the things we were supposed to do."

There should be a definite sense of urgency tonight for the Rockets. Considering the uninspired exertion in the previous meeting and a first playoff appearance since the 1998-99 season within reach, coach Jeff Van Gundy’s squad should have all the motivation it needs to put forth the type of effort worthy of a playoff team.

Whether or not the Nuggets make the playoffs, they must be commended for exceeding everyone’s expectations following a dismal 17-win season last year.

The mere fact Denver is even fighting for a playoff spot is testament to the impact rookie Carmelo Anthony has had on the franchise.

Point guard Andre Miller has been a solid addition for the Nuggets in his first season with the team, but Anthony is the primary reason why Denver fans have once again become interested in Nuggets basketball.

Ranking in the NBA’s top 20 in 11 statistical categories, Anthony has averaged 25 points in three games against the Rockets this season. He’s reached double digits in free throw attempts in all three games and has been a difficult defensive assignment for Rockets forward Jim Jackson with his threat to knock down the outside jumper or ability to drive to the bucket.

Much like the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver can go 10-deep in its rotation, making it a difficult team to defend. Tiny 5-5 guard Earl Boykins and the energetic Chris Andersen both have given the Rockets fits off the Nuggets bench in the three previous meetings.

Anthony’s likely to get his fair share of shot attempts and free throw tries, but the difference between victory and defeat tonight for the Rockets will be the effectiveness of their interior defense. Marcus Camby, who averages just eight points on the season, basically did whatever he wanted in Denver’s victory last week, finishing with 20 points on 10-of-13 field goal shooting. Yao should have another big night offensively, but the Rockets center and his teammates must shut down the paint defensively.

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