Rockets show some fight, beat Suns (video)

The Rockets were coming off their worst loss in since 2006. Yet, they played like they had all the confidence in the world, especially since they fell behind 8-0 right out of the gate, yet had the lead before the first quarter was over in Phoenix. Tracy McGrady's 27 points were not a season high, but there's no doubt in my mind that it was his finest game of the season. The Rockets ran the offense for the first time all season and McGrady had a good mix of jumpers and drives to the basket and really exploded in the 3rd quarter when the Rockets took control of the game for good.

Aaron Brooks continues to bring exactly what the Rockets have lacked for so long - scoring off the bench and a legit second point guard. Yao also had his best night since the win over the Mavs and this game was truthfully a better night because instead of dominating a matchup with a Erick Dampier, this game was against Shaq and while O'Neal was very productive for the Suns - so was Yao with 17 points and 15 boards - including 11 in the first half.

The Suns were also shooting 51.5% fromthe field in their first 8 games - best in the NBA, but the Rockets held them to 38%. The Suns 3 key guards, Steve Nash, Raja Bell & Leondro Barbosa were a combined 9-31. Bell, the starting shooting guard, didn't even score, missing all of his shots. The Suns also had ZERO fast-break points until the scrubs stepped on the floor in the 4th quarter.
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Now on to the skirmish. I won't call it a fight since no punches were thrown. Here's the video...

Matt Barnes and Rafer Alston were in the center of the get together and it spread to Nash, McGrady & Shaq. All 5 players drew technicals, Alston and Barnes were ejected. Here's what I saw when I re-watched the altercation and everything then I believe led to it.

With just over a minute to go, Rafer set Nash up for a McGrady screen. Nash didn't see it coming and he took a shot to his neck & shoulder. It did not appear to be a violent screen (not to mention it was T-Mac that set it), but Nash recoiled from it and immediately reached for his neck.
I just watched ESPN's replay of the screen and McGrady barely touched Nash - Nash is just old and has a history of back and neck issues. That's all it was.

He showed no ill effects from it as he launched a three on the ensuing possession. (Alston had also stolen the ball from Nash and scored on a fastbreak layup a minute earlier, but I doubt that impacted anyone's reaction during the brouhaha)

Next trip down the court off the Nash miss, Barnes grabbed the offensive rebound but botched the lay-up attempt and was visibly upset as he threw his arms in the air in disgust.

On the very next possession, McGrady came down the court with the ball so Alston came from the wing/baseline to set a screen on Barnes. Barnes saw Alston coming and blasted him with both forearms to the chest. Amazing that none of the referees whistled it right then and there. Alston went charging back at Barnes just as the jump shot connected. Those two were chest to chest and McGrady and Yao were thefirst to arrive. They already had Barnes and Alston separated when Nash came charging in towards Alston and grabbed his jersey. McGrady saw Nash charged, bumped him off-balance and then tossed him to the court and ended up basically standing over him.

That prompted Shaq to shove McGrady to the court, then he did the same to Yao nudging him to the ground on top of McGrady. Barbosa pulled Nash from the fray, Scola did the same with McGrady.
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Here's what the announcers had to say about it...
FSHouston
"Matt Barnes started it, he elbowed or shouldered Alston...that's how it all started. It started with Matt Barnes with a very dirty play.... Watch Barnes...right there...BOOM...that's what started it."-Matt Bullard.

ESPN
"A little Phoenix frustration leading to tempers flaring..." Mike Breen.
"You could see right there, Barnes, that's a cheap shot. Anytime you put a forearm into a guy in theat situation...That's totally uncalled for, whistles should have blown, should've been a defensive foul." - Hubie Brown
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