Each win more impressive than the last

For the Rockets, each win over a legitimate has been more impressive than the last. Their win over Denver was far from pretty as they clanged 15 of their 35 free throws and kept the Nuggets in the game way, way too long. They completely outplayed a team, desperate for a win - on their home floor where the Rockets hadn't won in several years.
Just as they did against Phoenix they refused to give up the lead. Shane Battier hit a monster shot, reminiscent of the one he buried against the Lakers earlier this year at Toyota Center that nearly won the game for Houston.


Chuck Hayes came up large again with a huge save after Battier forced Billups to hit the underside of the backboard with under 20 seconds to go.

That's right, Chuck Hayes and Shane Battier had as much to do with this win as any other Rocket. Not to mention the fact that both Yao and Luis Scola fouled out earlier in the fourth quarter. Also nice coaching job by George Karl not instructing his team to foul Chuck Hayes down the stretch - arguably the worst free throw shooter in the NBA.

Houston is 10-8 against the other 7 playoff teams from the West - that includes their 0-2 record against the Lakers. It's not impossible, but it is highly unlikely they'll face LA in the opening round, meaning among the other 6 teams - any of whom the Rockets might see to open the postseason, they are 10-6. That is damn good all things considered.
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Can't Miss Vids (updated)
The Lakers are up this Wednesday at Toyota Center, so as I was trolling around youtube, I figured this was an appropriate video to post. Very classy Nicole.

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From last night's Lakers-Blazers game. Word has already come down that Trevor Ariza will not be suspended for the flagrant 2 foul he committed on Rudy Fernandez. It would seem likely that Lamar Odom will be since he clearly left the bench area (at least as much as Stoudemire did in the postseason series b/w Phoenix and San Antonio.) Although it is troublesome that we are this deep into the following day (5:37pm CT) and no suspension has been handed down from the league yet.
While we wait for that, listen to the description of the play from the Portland TV announcers, followed by the Lakers crew. Same play, yet they saw things differently - sooooooooooo surprising.


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