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		<description>RUWT? News for Houston Rockets</description>
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				<title><![CDATA[Scola, Ariza help Rockets hold off Kings]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[HOUSTON(AP) -- The Houston Rockets kept their record clean in
second games of back-to-backs. Still, it almost got a little
messy in the fourth quarter.

After leading by 15 points in the second quarter and holding a
59-52 halftime edge, the Rockets needed 22 points from Luis
Scola and some defense down the stretch to beat the Sacramento
Kings 113-106 on Saturday night.

"It was a really hard and long week," Scola said. "We had some
good and bad moments. We fought, we played hard. We can't always
win pretty but tonight was a huge win for us. We needed a win."

The Rockets moved to 4-0 this season in second games of
back-to-backs.

Kyle Lowry had eight assists and hit four straight free throws
to ice it.

"We couldn't get it going until the last couple of minutes,"
Lowry said. "Me and Scola both hit some open jump shots. We
finished the game strong. It took us a while to get going. The
last time we played them we played sluggish and let them control
the game."

The Kings played without rookie Tyreke Evans, who sprained a
finger on his right hand diving for a ball Friday night in a
104-102 loss to Dallas He scored 29 points against the Mavericks
and is averaging 18.2 points this season.

The Kings had six players in double figures, led by Spencer
Hawes with 24 points and Beno Udrih with 18. The Rockets had
five players in double figures. Trevor Ariza added 19 for the
Rockets.

"I like the spirit and the effort on this team," Kings coach
Paul Westphal said. "Everyone should be pleased with the way
we're playing. I like the way we compete every night. I'm sorry
we couldn't cash in on the effort. This team has heart but we
haven't learned how to win."

With the score tied 101-all, Scola scored a go-ahead basket with
3:41 to play. He followed with two rebounds that helped the
Rockets stay ahead.

The Rockets led by 59-52 to start the third quarter but the
Kings came out shooting 3-pointers, two to start the period by
Donte Greene.

Sacramento used an 11-0 spurt midway in the third quarter to
take its first lead of the game, 71-69 on a basket by Omri
Casspi with 5:40 left in the period.

"You don't give out consolation prizes but all we want are
notches in the win column," Hawes said. "They executed better
than we did at the end. A lot of guys stepped up tonight but we
fell short."

Scola took charge from the beginning, leading the Rockets' hot
start with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting in the period. The
Rockets shot 65 percent from the field in the opening period and
had their biggest lead at 33-24 to end the period.

The Rockets lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the final second on
Friday night.

"That's the good thing about the NBA," Ariza said. "You get a
tough loss the night before and you get an opportunity to come
back the next night and change the outcome. Once we lost that
one, we kind of forgot about it, got on the plane and got here
and we got some good rest. We game back and got a win today."

NOTES: The Rockets lost to the Kings 109-100 on Nov. 13 despite
having three players in double figures, Trevor Ariza (28), Shane
Battier (23) and Luis Scola (20). ... The Rockets had a
three-game winning streak early in the season but since then
they haven't won more than one in a row. ... Houston has won the
last five games against Sacramento in Houston. ... The Kings
have scored 100 points in seven of their last eight games. ...
Rockets coach Rick Adelman is the winningest coach in Kings
history (395-229).]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136252-Scola-Ariza-help-Rockets-hold-off-Kings</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136252-Scola-Ariza-help-Rockets-hold-off-Kings</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:09:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Kings-Rockets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAN PIERINGER
STATS Editor

Sacramento (5-5) at Houston (7-5), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings may have anticipated
some early struggles with their top players injured. It's safe
to say both clubs are weathering the storm better than expected.

Each coming off a close loss to one of the top teams in the NBA,
the Rockets and Kings square off for the second time in nine
days Saturday night in Houston.

The Rockets came into this season with stars Tracy McGrady and
Yao Ming each recovering from major surgery. Their top returning
scorer is Luis Scola, who averaged 12.7 points in 2008-09.

Despite its inexperienced and relatively anonymous lineup,
Houston (7-6) has remained competitive. It has the second-best
record in the Southwest Division, and despite a tough early
schedule has only lost by a double-digit margin once - 121-103
at Dallas on Nov. 10.

Sacramento (5-6) has also fared better than expected without a
star in its lineup, winning four of six since losing leading
scorer Kevin Martin to a wrist injury early this month.

Without Martin, the Kings have relied heavily on Tyreke Evans,
the fourth overall pick in June's draft. The 20-year-old point
guard came up big again Friday night, scoring 29 points with
seven rebounds and 10 assists to keep Sacramento close in a
104-102 loss at the Southwest-leading Mavericks.

"To come in here and have a chance to knock off Dallas and play
them the way we did, I was very impressed with our young group,"
first-year Kings coach Paul Westphal said. "When we learn to
take care of the ball a little bit better, I think we'll come
our with our share of wins in these types of games."

Houston is also hoping to rebound from a narrow loss. The
Rockets overcame a 10-point deficit with 2:07 remaining to pull
into a tie with league-best Atlanta on Friday night, but Josh
Smith made a putback with 0.7 seconds left to send Houston to a
105-103 defeat.

"The guys battled back, but we had a bad stretch in the fourth
quarter and it cost us," said coach Rick Adelman, who coached
the Kings from 1998-2006, and remains their franchise leader
with 395 wins.

The Rockets hit a similar rough patch in the second quarter
against the Kings on Nov. 13. They were outscored 33-22 in the
period en route to a 109-100 loss in Sacramento. Jason Thompson
led the Kings with a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds,
Evans had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Beno
Udrih added 22 points.

The Rockets also had three players score at least 20 points in
that game, with Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier and Scola combining
for 71. However, Houston shot 41.6 percent from the field and
made only eight of its 27 3-point attempts (29.6 percent).

The Rockets are shooting 39.9 percent from beyond the arc in
their seven wins and 30.0 percent in their six losses.

McGrady thinks he can step in and make a difference for Houston
immediately, but the team isn't as convinced. McGrady insists
he's fully recovered from microfracture surgery on his left knee
and that he could return to play the Kings. The Rockets believe
the seven-time All-Star needs more time and would risk hurting
his knee again if he comes back too soon. The next step is an
MRI on Monday.

"We have a difference of opinion," Adelman said. "He wants to
play. He's not ready to play. It's as simple as that."

The Kings, losers of four of five on the road this season, have
dropped five straight in Houston.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135904-Kings-Rockets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135904-Kings-Rockets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:03:25 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Smith's last-second shot gives Hawks another win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA(AP) -- Josh Smith spent most of the fourth quarter
cheering on his teammates from the bench.

He was on the court, though, for the biggest play of the game.

After sitting for all but 44 seconds of the final period because
of foul trouble, Smith soared through the lane to drop in a
missed shot with 0.7 seconds remaining and the Atlanta Hawks won
their seventh in a row, beating the Houston Rockets 105-103
Friday night to maintain the NBA's best record.

Marvin Williams scored a season-high 29 points, but it was Smith
who came through at the end for the Hawks (11-2).

Carl Landry hit a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left to cap
Houston's 11-1 run that tied the game at 103. The Hawks got the
ball to Mike Bibby, whose 17-foot jumper bounced off the front
of the rim. But Smith flew right down the middle of the lane,
grabbed the rebound with both hands and softly it back in while
the Rockets screamed for basket interference.

Replays showed the ball had cleared the cylinder before Smith
touched it.

"All I wanted to do was crash the boards," Smith said. "In case
he missed, I wanted to be there. I wanted him to make the shot,
but I was there for the miss."

Smith went to the bench after picking up his fourth foul with
4:03 left in the third quarter. He returned early in the fourth
and lasted only 30 seconds before getting his fifth foul. Back
to the bench, where he stayed until the final minute - long
enough to win the game.

Obviously, he was fresher than everyone else on the court. It
showed.

"He hustled," Houston's Luis Scola said. "Everyone knows how
high he jumps. It was a great play."

Williams had been one of the few disappointments in Atlanta's
brilliant start to the season. He had not scored more than 14
points in a game, but he had 13 in the opening quarter and
passed his previous high before halftime. He finished 13 of 19
from the field.

"He was phenomenal," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "He was
solid from beginning to end. We went to him. He continued to
make them."

The Hawks needed Williams to come up big with Smith in foul
trouble - he had only nine points in less than 24 minutes - and
Joe Johnson held to 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting after two
straight 30-point efforts.

Jamal Crawford added 21 points for the Hawks, while Landry led
five Houston players in double figures with 18.

The Hawks improved to 7-0 at Philips Arena, their best start at
home since 1997, and snapped the Rockets' two-game winning
streak on the road.

Houston outworked the Hawks on the boards much of the night -
getting 20 offensive rebounds - and had a commanding 29-14 edge
in second-chance points. The Rockets led 88-82 with 7 minutes
remaining after Aaron Brooks blew right by Johnson for a layup.

"They have a lot of guys who are not very athletic," Smith said.
"But they get offensive rebounds. They killed us all night
getting offensive rebounds."

Atlanta took over from there, turning up the defensive pressure
and ripping off a 13-0 spurt. Brooks finally broke up the run,
but Williams had a thunderous jam off a missed shot, a steal set
up another dunk by Al Horford and Crawford's falling-down
3-pointer pushed the home team to a 102-92 lead with 2:07
remaining.

"The guys battled back, but we had a bad stretch in the fourth
quarter and it cost us," Houston coach Rick Adelman said.

It seemed over, but the pesky Rockets battled back. Kyle Lowry
exploded to the hoop, banked it in and was fouled by Williams.
The free throw completed the three-point play and pulled Houston
to 103-101.

Bibby missed a 3-pointer, Houston called time and got the ball
in Brooks' hands. He passed off to Scola, who fumbled it away
but watched it go straight to Landry, who drew Horford's sixth
foul and calmly made both free throws sandwiched around a Hawks'
20-second timeout.

But Smith made sure Atlanta stayed perfect at home.

"They have the best record in the league," Houston's Trevor
Ariza. "If we could have come back and gotten this one, it would
have been really big."

NOTES: In the second quarter, Ariza and Johnson scrambled for a
loose ball that wound up bouncing out of bounds along the
sideline, not far from the Hawks bench. While the officials
briefly conferred to make a call, Ariza pleaded, "I swear to God
I didn't touch it." The Rockets got the ball. ... Houston shot
just 42 percent but took 14 more shots than the Hawks, who made
half their attempts. ... Williams also led the Hawks in
rebounding with nine. ... Scola had 17 points and 10 rebounds
for the Rockets.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135845-Smiths-last-second-shot-gives-Hawks-another-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135845-Smiths-last-second-shot-gives-Hawks-another-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:10:41 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[McGrady wants to play, Rockets say no]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA(AP) -- Tracy McGrady is eager to play. The Houston Rockets
say he'll have to wait.

The seven-time All-Star had microfracture surgery on his left
knee in February, but insisted that he's fully recovered before
Friday night's game against the streaking Atlanta Hawks.

"Right now, I could play," he said.

Not so fast. The Rockets believe McGrady needs more time and
would risk hurting his knee again if he comes back too soon. The
next step is an MRI on Monday.

"We have a difference of opinion," coach Rick Adelman said. "He
wants to play. He's not ready to play. It's as simple as that."

Both sides denied a Yahoo! Sports report that the situation
degenerated into a heated argument before the Rockets' previous
game at Minnesota. The report quoted a person close to McGrady
who was not identified.

"I don't know where that came from," McGrady said. "We talked
but it was nothing that was reported like that. I mean,
screaming and all."

Adelman shrugged off the report as "our world of the Internet."

"It seems like nowadays people want to dwell on one particular
thing that may be newsworthy," he said. "Or maybe catch your eye
when you look at it."

Whether the argument actually happened, it's clear that McGrady
considers himself much further along in his recovery than the
team's timetable.

"I don't know," he said. "It's all about what they want to do."

---=

AP freelance writer Amy Jinkner-Lloyd contributed to this
report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135801-McGrady-wants-to-play-Rockets-say-no</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135801-McGrady-wants-to-play-Rockets-say-no</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:28:10 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Hawks Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Houston (7-5) at Atlanta (10-2), 7:30 p.m. EDT

An afterthought in the Eastern Conference's three-team race
during 2008-09, the Atlanta Hawks seemed like they'd be in a
similar position this season.

Right now, though, everyone's chasing them.

The Hawks have barely been tested during a six-game winning
streak that's propelled them to the conference's best record,
and they'll look to make it seven in a row Friday night against
the visiting Houston Rockets.

Atlanta (10-2) finished 19 games behind top-seeded Cleveland in
the East last season, 15 behind No. 2 Boston and 12 in back of
third-seeded Orlando in the Southeast Division. The Hawks
survived a first-round playoff series in seven games against
Miami but were swept by the Cavaliers in the next round, losing
each game by double digits.

Not much drop-off was expected from Cleveland, Boston or
Orlando, but the Hawks certainly have looked capable of
inserting themselves in the conversation of East contenders.
Atlanta has won by an average of 15.2 points during the streak,
beating Miami 105-90 on Wednesday behind 30 points from Joe
Johnson.

"If we stay healthy and do what we're capable of doing, no one
is going to sweep us," forward Josh Smith said after finishing
with 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.
"We'll make a series out of it with any team."

Johnson leads the way with 23.6 points per game, but it seems
the Hawks are at their best when Smith is producing. He averaged
14.0 points and 6.2 rebounds through the first six games but has
averaged 18.5 points, 12.5 boards and 2.7 blocks during the win
streak - Atlanta's longest since a seven-game run from March
7-19.

"We're a tough team to beat when he's playing like that,"
Johnson said. "When he's rebounding, playing defense and diving
down in the paint for dunks and layups, it makes the defense
collapse. That's leaving guys like me and Mike (Bibby) open for
shots."

The seven-game winning streak in March came at Philips Arena,
and Atlanta is 6-0 there this season. It hasn't won its first
seven at home since 1997-98, the last time it had a 50-win
season.

Atlanta will now face Houston (7-5), which already has
double-digit road wins against Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets needed an impressive fourth quarter to blow open a
close game at Minnesota on Wednesday. Luis Scola had eight of
his team-high 20 points in the final 4:35, and Houston turned a
one-point lead after three into a 97-84 win.

"When Luis gets it going, he works so hard that if you don't
match his energy and effort you feel bad," forward Shane Battier
said. "That is the good thing about this team, we have a lot of
effort guys that you can draw from."

Houston is 5-1 when Scola records a double-double.

The Rockets' start has been somewhat of a surprise considering
the absence of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, who participated in
pregame workouts Wednesday but isn't considered ready to return.

Trevor Ariza is taking plenty of shots with no other proven
perimeter scorer in the lineup, and though he averages a
team-best 18.4 points, he's struggling from the field. Ariza is
shooting 30.8 percent (16 of 52) in the last three games.

Each team won on its home floor last season, with Smith scoring
29 in a 103-100 victory Jan. 3.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135389-Rockets-Hawks-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135389-Rockets-Hawks-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:57:29 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets hand Wolves 11th straight loss, 97-84]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- Al Jefferson crumpled to the court in pain, the
victim of an inadvertent kick to the head by Houston's Carl
Landry in the fourth quarter.

It was a literal rendition of what has been happening on a
proverbial level to the Minnesota Timberwolves nearly all season
long.

Luis Scola had 20 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in
Houston's 97-84 victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday
night, Minnesota's 11th loss in a row.

Trevor Ariza scored 18 points, Chuck Hayes had 11 points and 10
rebounds and the Rockets hit 12 3-pointers to hand the Wolves
their seventh straight double-digit loss.

After tight games against the Suns, Clippers and Celtics at the
beginning of the month, the Wolves have had too many nights like
this where they showed little energy and effort as things
unraveled.

"We're going to have to fight, frustrated or not," Jefferson
said. "We're getting paid a lot of money to do our job. We can't
do it half the time. We have to do it for 48 minutes."

Jefferson returned to the lineup for Minnesota after missing the
past two games to be with his grandmother, who died last week.
Playing with a heavy heart, Jefferson made his first eight shots
and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

He remained in the game after being kicked in the fourth
quarter, but was quiet for the final eight minutes as the Wolves
faded.

Their only victory of the season came on opening night against
the Nets, who have yet to win a game this season.

"We haven't came close in any of the games since the fourth or
fifth game," forward Ryan Gomes said. "After that, every other
game has been double-digit losses. We want to get off this
losing streak, but it's going to have to come from within."

Houston was playing the second game of a back-to-back and the
Timberwolves had three days off in a row. But the Rockets were
the team that played with more energy throughout. Houston
outrebounded Minnesota 46-36 and scored 29 points fourth quarter
to pull away.

"This was such a dangerous game. They had lost 10 in a row, they
had a couple of days off to work out some things," Rockets
forward Shane Battier said. "They want to win. They're not
trying to lose 11 in a row and they know they have to play
harder and more together so when you're facing those odds, you
have to play a good game. You can't assume you're going to win."

The Rockets, playing without All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao
Ming, have been pushing the tempo at Suns-like speed to try and
compensate. They entered the night sixth in the NBA in scoring
at 103.5 points per game and had topped 100 in 10 straight,
their longest streak since 1995-96.

But they looked a little sluggish early on after losing to those
Suns on Tuesday night. They had no trouble getting out on the
break in their usual style, it was the finishing that was
proving difficult.

They committed 14 turnovers in the first half to allow the
Timberwolves to hang around.

Minnesota took a 34-29 lead about midway through the second
quarter when Damien Wilkins threw down a rebound-dunk. But the
veteran swingman was given a technical foul for hanging on the
rim, which stunted the momentum and woke up the Rockets.

Houston responded with a 15-2 run, getting eight points from
Scola in the spurt and took a 48-42 lead into halftime.

Ramon Sessions had 16 points and five assists for Minnesota,
which led 67-66 late in the third quarter. But as usual, the
Timberwolves defense failed down the stretch. The Rockets had
little problem getting to the basket or finding open jump shots
in the fourth, quickly rebuilding a 12-point lead.

"If we are able to win against all of the bottom of the
standings teams on a regular basis, we're going to have a lot of
wins," Scola said. "We can beat some of the good teams once in a
while, especially at home. That's going to put us in the
playoffs for sure."

NOTES: Rockets PG Aaron Brooks committed eight of the team's 22
turnovers. ... Timberwolves G Corey Brewer has at least two
steals in four straight games. ... Battier has hit a 3-pointer
in 24 straight games. ... University of Minnesota coach Tubby
Smith was in attendance to watch former Kentucky standout Chuck
Hayes play for the Rockets.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135209-Rockets-hand-Wolves-11th-straight-loss-97-84</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135209-Rockets-hand-Wolves-11th-straight-loss-97-84</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:17:56 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Timberwolves Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

Houston (6-4) at Minnesota (1-10), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Since a three-game winning streak in the first week of the
season, the Houston Rockets have alternated losses and wins.

Following a loss to the Pacific Division leaders, the Rockets
will have a good chance to continue that trend Wednesday night
at the Target Center.

Houston goes for its ninth straight victory against the
Minnesota Timberwolves, who are hoping Al Jefferson's return
will help them snap a 10-game overall slide.

Coming off Sunday's 101-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers,
the Rockets (6-5) failed to win consecutive games for the first
time since a three-game run Oct. 28-Nov. 2, falling 111-105 to
Phoenix on Tuesday. Houston, which led the Suns by as many as 15
points in the second quarter, got outscored 33-23 in the final
12 minutes.

"We are trying to figure out what's good for us, especially down
the stretch," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "That's
something we are going to have to go through and look at this
game, learn from our mistakes in the fourth quarter and grow."

Carl Landry came off the bench and scored a career-high 27
points with nine rebounds, while first-year Rocket Trevor Ariza
hit three of his five 3-point attempts and had 19 points.

Ariza averaged 9.8 points and 1.8 steals in four games versus
the Timberwolves in 2008-09, while playing for the Lakers.

Minnesota (1-10) and rookie point guard Jonny Flynn will also
have to find a way to slow down Rockets guard Aaron Brooks, who
had 16 points and a career-high 13 assists Tuesday.

"You have to limit his penetration - (Brooks is) so fast and so
quick," Timberwolves assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff told the
team's official Web site. "He does a great job getting into the
paint."

Brooks averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds as
Houston won both its visits to the Target Center last season.

While the Rockets go for their fourth straight victory in
Minneapolis, the Timberwolves will seek to avoid their longest
overall skid since a 13-game losing streak last Nov. 29-Dec. 23,
a slide that included a 109-102 home loss to Houston.

Despite shooting 51 percent from the field in the first half,
Minnesota dropped its 10th straight on Saturday - 97-87 at
Memphis.

"The first half, we came out and we were running sets and
playing pretty well," guard Corey Brewer said after leading the
Timberwolves with 16 points. "In the third quarter, we had a
letdown. That's how it's been going all season."

Brewer, averaging a career-high 12.0 points, missed all four
meetings with Houston in 2008-09, due to a torn right ACL.

Jefferson did not play in the final two matchups against the
Rockets last season because of the same injury. Jefferson,
though, averaged 35.0 points and 17.5 rebounds in the first two
games, matching a career high with 22 boards in a 107-90 loss in
Houston on Feb. 7.

Jefferson returns to the Timberwolves' lineup Wednesday after
missing the previous two contests due to the death of his
grandmother.

"The better Al is, the better we play as a team," Bickerstaff
said. "He's our anchor. He's our go-to guy. We just have to do
what we've done in spurts for four quarters."

Minnesota's last win in this series was a 103-99 overtime
victory at home Jan. 7, 2007.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134959-Rockets-Timberwolves-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134959-Rockets-Timberwolves-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:43:35 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Stoudemire scores 23 in Suns' win over Rockets]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- Amare Stoudemire and the high-scoring Phoenix Suns
turned to their defense to pick up another victory in Houston.

Stoudemire scored 23 points, Steve Nash had 16 assists and the
Suns recovered from a slow start to beat the Rockets 111-105 on
Tuesday night.

Jason Richardson scored 20 points for the Suns, who have won
eight of their last 11 games in Houston.

The Suns held the Rockets to 32 percent shooting (9 of 28) in
the fourth quarter and outscored Houston 14-8 in the final 3
minutes to pull out the win.

"We've got a little toughness," Nash said. "We're not physically
the toughest group, but mentally we're tough. We started to
battle at the end of the game and we got a lot of stops."

Carl Landry scored a career-high 27 points off the bench and
Aaron Brooks had a career-best 13 assists for the Rockets, who
were outscored 33-23 in the final quarter.

"We started missing shots and they started making shots," said
Brooks, who scored 16. "We were in a position to win the game at
the end. They made the plays and we didn't."

The Suns (10-2) rallied from a double-digit deficit to win for
the fifth time this season. They're the only team to reach 100
points in all of their games so far.

Nash didn't score in the first half and went 2 for 10 from the
field in the game. He went 8 for 8 from the free-throw line in
the fourth quarter and finished with 12 points. All five Phoenix
starters reached double figures.

"We had a really good team effort," Nash said. "It was a bit of
a struggle tonight, we weren't great. But we got some really
good contributions from a lot of people."

Richardson's 3-pointer with 8:11 left in the third quarter gave
the Suns their first lead since the opening minutes. Brooks hit
a shot from the baseline before Nash made a pull-up jumper for
his first field goal, giving Phoenix a 63-62 lead.

The pace of the game picked up and the lead changed hands eight
more times over the next 6 minutes. Landry dunked and Luis Scola
sank a baseline jumper in the last minute of the quarter to give
Houston an 82-78 advantage.

Nash returned from a short rest with 9 minutes left in the game
and the Rockets leading 85-84. He immediately found Leandro
Barbosa cutting inside for a layup, and the Suns moved back in
front.

The teams traded baskets into the final minutes before Nash
delivered his 15th assist to Richardson for a layup with 2:59
left that put the Suns up 100-98.

Brooks missed a short jumper and reserve forward Channing Frye
sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:51 remaining
that made it 103-98. Landry split two free throws and backup
center Jarron Collins converted a three-point play to put it out
of reach.

Suns reserves scored 34 points.

"The second unit, the guys off the bench, do a great job of
keeping themselves in shape," Stoudemire said. "It's great to
see those guys come in and contribute the way they do."

The Rockets, meanwhile, are still trying to identify their best
scoring options late in games, with All-Stars Yao Ming and Tracy
McGrady sidelined with injuries.

"We are still in the emerging stages," forward Shane Battier
said. "We are trying to figure out what's good for us,
especially down the stretch. That's something we are going to
have to go through and look at this game, learn from our
mistakes in the fourth quarter and grow."

The Rockets finished 9 for 26 from 3-point range, after hitting
five of their first seven attempts to take a 21-9 lead. Houston
(6-5) also outrebounded Phoenix 14-5 in the opening quarter and
led 34-22.

NOTES: The Rockets have reached 100 points in 10 straight games,
the team's longest streak since a 12-game run in 1995-96. ...
Phoenix is 10-2 for the third time in six seasons. ... The Suns'
22 first-quarter points were a season low. ... Hall of Famer and
former Rockets C Hakeem Olajuwon had a courtside seat. He shook
hands with referee Joe Crawford during a timeout in the first
quarter.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134923-Stoudemire-scores-23-in-Suns-win-over-Rockets</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134923-Stoudemire-scores-23-in-Suns-win-over-Rockets</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:06:46 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Suns-Rockets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By KATE HEDLIN
STATS Writer

Phoenix (9-2) at Houston (6-4), 8:30 p.m. EDT

Behind their high-scoring, up-tempo offense, the Phoenix Suns
have gotten off to a hot start. The Houston Rockets are showing
they have no problem speeding up their offense as well.

The Suns look to become the first NBA team to 10 wins Tuesday
night when they host the Rockets.

Phoenix (9-2), which led the league in scoring last season, is
off to another impressive start offensively. The Suns are the
only team in the league to score 100 points in every game this
season, and though they missed the playoffs last season, they
enter Tuesday with the Western Conference's best record.

Phoenix, which is averaging 110.4 points, is coming off a
101-100 win over Toronto on Sunday, bouncing back after
suffering a 19-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Steve Nash was fouled while making a game-tying layup with 38.9
seconds remaining, then hit his free throw for the final score.

"We struggled a little bit offensively," Nash, who finished with
23 points and nine assists, told the Suns' official Web site.
"There were a bunch of in-and-outs on shots I normally make. I
can say the same for our team, in general. We weren't flying
offensively tonight, but luckily we found the strength to make
the stops down the stretch."

The Suns shot 50.8 percent in their first nine games but are
shooting 40.1 percent in the last two. While Sunday wasn't their
best game offensively, Amare Stoudemire scored a season-high 30
points on 10-of-15 shooting. He went 2 of 15 against the Lakers
to finish with a season-low eight points.

While much of the attention has been on their offense, the Suns
were also pleased with their defensive effort against the
Raptors. Phoenix had given up 113.3 points in the previous three
games and it allowed 33 points in the opening quarter before
settling down over the next three periods.

"A good win for us against a quality team," coach Alvin Gentry
said. "They present so many problems for you. I thought after
the first quarter we were going to have to score 120 points to
win."

Gentry will need another good effort from his team Tuesday as
Houston (6-4) has averaged 105.2 points since scoring 87 in a
season-opening loss at Portland.

The Rockets haven't won as consistently as the Suns, but they
beat the defending champion Lakers 101-91 on the road Sunday.
Houston handed the Lakers their third loss of the season,
holding them to 38.1 percent shooting and outrebounding them
60-38.

Aaron Brooks led all scorers with 33 points while Trevor Ariza,
a former Laker who received his NBA championship ring before the
victory, was held to nine points on 2-of-12 shooting.

"I knew tonight was going to be a tough night for me," Ariza
said. "I didn't play as well, but my teammates played great.
Aaron played big for us, and I'm just happy we got a win."

Ariza, who has spent most of his career coming off the bench,
has embraced his starting role with the Rockets, whose top
scorers from last season - Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming - are both
injured. Ariza is averaging 18.4 points, more than double his
previous career high.

With Ariza's help, Houston has scored 100 points or more in nine
straight games, the club's longest streak since a 12-game run
during the 1995-96 season.

Despite being one of the lower-scoring teams in the NBA with
98.4 points per game last season, Houston averaged 106.3 while
winning two of three against Phoenix. The Suns scored 102.7
points per game in the series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134714-Suns-Rockets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134714-Suns-Rockets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:17:53 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Lakers booed at home in 101-91 loss to Rockets]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Trevor Ariza got his NBA championship ring and
his Houston Rockets got the win.

Aaron Brooks saw the ring dripping with diamonds and suddenly he
was off on a career night. He took the Houston Rockets with him,
scoring a career-high 33 points, including five 3-pointers, in a
101-91 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night, sending the
Lakers to a second consecutive loss.

"That's my first time seeing an NBA ring," Brooks said. "It
moved us and we played inspired basketball."

And the NBA champs? Well, they looked downright ordinary again.

The Lakers were coming off a 105-79 drubbing at Denver two
nights earlier only to have another team they vanquished in last
season's title run show them up at home, where they got booed.

"Defensively, we need to step it up," Andrew Bynum said. "That's
what we're lacking right now. We got guards trying to box out
bigs. Bigs trying to box out guards. We're all over the place
right now."

The Lakers have three losses already, something that didn't
happen last season until Dec. 9.

"Mortified," Kobe Bryant deadpanned. "We'll get better, we know
what's at stake. We'll figure our way through this."

Aussie David Andersen added a career-high 19 for the Rockets,
who lost 103-102 at home in overtime in the teams' first meeting
earlier this month.

Bryant scored 41 points in that game, but he had just 18 Sunday
after aggravating a groin injury in the first quarter that he
sustained a week ago against New Orleans.

"I've felt better," he said. "It'll be all right. I've been
nursing it, kind of playing through it."

Even though the injury affects Bryant's ability to run and
change direction on a dime, he said, "You know I don't make
excuses."

Ron Artest, who went to Los Angeles around the time Trevor Ariza
went to Houston in July, added 22 points. Bynum had 21 points
and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers got a combined 12 points out of starters Lamar Odom
and Derek Fisher.

Ariza received his ring from Bryant and Fisher on court before
the game, which may have accounted for his first-half
performance. He was 1 for 10 from the floor and 1 of 6 from
3-point range. He finished with nine points, well off his
team-leading 19.4 average.

"I knew tonight was going to be a tough night for me," Ariza
said. "I didn't play as well, but my teammates played great.
Aaron played big for us, and I'm just happy we got a win."

Andersen scored Houston's first six points of the fourth,
pushing their lead to 86-73 while fans booed the home team. The
Lakers couldn't get a sustained run going, twice turning the
ball over on offensive fouls by Bynum and Odom.

"We obviously didn't know the scouting report that well on
Andersen," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We knew he's a
shooter but we didn't see him playing at that level."

Houston finished 16 of 19 from the line and shot 42 from the
floor. The Lakers hit 38 percent from the field, with Bryant
going 5 of 20. The Rockets dominated the boards, 60-38.

"They pursued the ball really well," Jackson said. "I was upset
at halftime. I thought they forced shots. In the second half,
they had wide-open shots, much better selection. But they just
didn't make shots."

Brooks sat out much of the fourth, but he wasn't needed. Carl
Landry ran off six in a row before Brooks returned to make one
of two free throws for a 97-84 lead that sent fans heading for
the exits.

Brooks' personal 10-0 run gave the Rockets a 76-68 lead late in
the third and seemingly took the life out of the Lakers. He
completed a four-point play after getting fouled by Fisher and
hit two more 3s.

"Once you give a team easy opportunities, your confidence gets
higher, the basket gets bigger, the 3-point shots fall a little
bit more easily," Bryant said. "We got to do a better job
stopping them from getting easy points."

Andersen scored 13 points in the second, when the Rockets tied
the game twice and took a two-point lead before trailing 54-52
at the break.

Bryant and Artest carried the Lakers to an 18-6 lead before
Brooks' and Budinger's shooting rallied the Rockets within six
points after the first quarter.

"They got out in transition, got some easy buckets and we turned
the ball over," Brooks said. "It reminded me of Game 7, when
they got off to a big lead and just sustained it and grew on it
the whole time. So tonight we made big steps."

NOTES: Lakers coach Phil Jackson said C Pau Gasol, who has
missed 10 games with a strained right hamstring, has gone five
days without reporting soreness. Gasol did some light shooting
Sunday before his usual rehab work. ... The Lakers showed
Ariza's career highlights with them on the video board, which
read, "Thank you Trevor." Ariza carried his young son on court
to receive his ring, with Bryant grabbing his head and pulling
it close to whisper. "He's like my brother, always will be,"
Bryant said later.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134387-Lakers-booed-at-home-in-101-91-loss-to-Rockets</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134387-Lakers-booed-at-home-in-101-91-loss-to-Rockets</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:03:13 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Houston (5-4) at Los Angeles (7-2), 9:30 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Lakers were fortunate to escape Houston with a
victory in their first meeting, pulling out an overtime win
despite not being at their best offensively.

The second half of their latest road performance unequivocally
qualifies as their worst.

The Lakers look to bounce back from their most futile half in
franchise history Sunday afternoon when they open a home-heavy
stretch seeking their sixth straight regular-season win against
the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles (7-2) needed overtime to win both of its first two
road games as Kobe Bryant averaged 36.0 points in a 101-98 win
at Oklahoma City and a 103-102 escape at Houston on Nov. 3 and
4.

Through one half of the Lakers' first road game since, it looked
like they were headed for another tight finish. Bryant had 19
points in the first half as Los Angeles trailed Denver 58-56 on
Friday.

A pair of free throws shortly before halftime would be the last
points Bryant would score, however. The Lakers scored 23 points
in the final 24 minutes - a franchise-low for a half - and
Bryant was shut out in a half for the first time since April 11,
2004, as the Nuggets cruised to a 105-79 victory.

"They beat the hell out of us," Bryant said. "... They executed
extremely well and we tried to keep it within a manageable
distance. We weren't able to do that though and they broke us
open pretty good."

The Lakers' eight third-quarter points were two more than their
worst quarter ever, when they put up six in a 102-80 loss to
Chicago on Nov. 20, 1977.

"No one stepped up in the second half and played ball," coach
Phil Jackson said. "We ended up taking long shots and turning
the ball over at the start of the third quarter. Those are the
results you get."

Ron Artest had 15 points in his return to Houston (5-4) after
signing with Los Angeles in the offseason, and this game takes
Trevor Ariza back to Staples Center for the first time since he
averaged 11.3 points in a breakout postseason run for the Lakers
last spring.

Ariza will be looking for a better shooting effort than he
showed Nov. 4 against his former team, when he went 5 of 21.

Yet the biggest storyline as the Lakers begin a stretch of 11 of
their next 12 games at home will be whether there's lingering
animosity between Ariza and Artest.

In their first meeting after essentially swapping uniforms
following last season's seven-game playoff series, the two
earned offsetting technical fouls early in the first quarter,
and at one point Ariza said Artest tried to put his hand around
Ariza's neck.

Artest said he thought about giving Ariza a hard shot, but
backed down for fear of a fine or a suspension.

"You know if somebody hits me, I'm going to react," Artest said.
"I got hit with about three elbows. It's just not fair. I don't
want to fight, I don't feel like doing it. If you throw an elbow
into Ron Artest's chest, do you know who you're hitting?"

Ariza, averaging a team-high 19.4 points but shooting 41.9
percent, was 10 of 21 and had a game-high 28 points Friday at
Sacramento, but Houston was outrebounded 54-35 in a 109-100
loss.

"We knew that they were a good rebounding team, but I believe we
could be one too," said Luis Scola, who's averaged 17.2 points
and 11.0 rebounds in his last six games. "We didn't come
prepared to play and we can't afford to do that."

Bryant has averaged 30.8 points in leading the Lakers to five
consecutive regular-season wins against Houston.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133881-Rockets-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133881-Rockets-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:16:22 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Kings' win streak reaches 4 games]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SACRAMENTO, Calif.(AP) -- Jason Thompson's improvement is starting
to pay off for the Sacramento Kings.

Thompson had a career-high 27 points and added 11 rebounds for
the Kings, who won their fourth straight game, defeating the
Houston Rockets 109-100 on Friday night.

The previous time the Kings won four consecutive games was late
in the 2007-08 season. Only 11,762 fans witnessed this latest
victory, which upped the Kings'home record to 4-1.

"It's starting to get kind of loud in this building, Ireally
like that," Kings coach Paul Westphal said.

Westphal also really likes the production he is getting from
Thompson, a second-year post player who is learning how to avoid
the early foul trouble that plagued his rookie season. Playing
37 minutes, Thompson made 9 of 15 shots, hit 9 of 10 free
throws, and gavethe Kingsplenty of extra opportunities with nine
offensive rebounds.

"He's a remarkable young player who is learning how to stay in
the game," Westphal said. "He's having an impact in a lot of
ways likerebounding, he's one of our most creative passers, and
he can shoot the ball."

Trevor Ariza scored 28 points for the Rockets, who were
outrebounded 54-35 and trailed for most of the second half.
Shane Battier had 23 points and Luis Scola had 20 points and
nine rebounds.

"We knew that they were a good rebounding team, but I believe we
could be one too," Scola said. "We didn't come prepared to play
and we can't afford to do that."

Minus leading scorer Kevin Martin, who is out for at least two
months with a broken left wrist, the Kings continued to get
solid backcourt play. Beno Udrih had 22 points and Tyreke Evans
had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Andres Nocioni
added 15 points.

Houston cut the margin to two points several times in the fourth
quarter, but the Kings responded with important baskets each
time.

"We can't let ourselves get down like that, we have to come out
with better energy and get stops," Ariza said. "We just didn't
get stops when we needed them."

Trying to protect a five-point lead, Evans made a long baseline
jumper and the next time down the court banked in a 23-foot
jumper from beyond the foul line with the shot clock about to
expire, putting the Kings up 107-98 with 52 seconds left.

"I let it fly and it went in," Evans said.

In the third quarter, the Rockets quickly overcame an 11-point
deficit and pulled ahead briefly when Scola scored inside midway
through the period. But the Kings used Nocioni's 3-point play to
retake the lead and went into the fourth with an 82-77
advantage.

In a fast-paced opening half, Udrih made four 3-pointers and
scored 16 points and Thompson had 14 points for the Kings, who
led 63-52 despite struggling with turnovers. Ariza scored 18
points for Houston.

Notes: Ariza had all five of his steals in the first half to tie
his career high. ... It was the fifth straight double-double for
Thompson. ... The Kings had 18 turnovers, but only one in the
fourth quarter.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133748-Kings-win-streak-reaches-4-games</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133748-Kings-win-streak-reaches-4-games</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:46:41 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets reassign C Dorsey, waive F Mensah-Bonsu]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[HOUSTON(AP) -- The Houston Rockets have assigned center Joey
Dorsey to the team's developmental league partner and waived
forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu on Friday.

The 6-foot-8 Dorsey, who has not appeared in a game with the
Rockets this season, will join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The
Rockets took over basketball operations of the Vipers in June.

Mensah-Bonsu played a total of 12 minutes in four games this
season, averaging 1.3 points. He signed as a free agent on Sept.
3.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133550-Rockets-reassign-C-Dorsey-waive-F-Mensah-Bonsu</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133550-Rockets-reassign-C-Dorsey-waive-F-Mensah-Bonsu</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:08:10 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Kings Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON PALMIERI
STATS Editor

Houston (5-3) at Sacramento (4-4), 10:00 p.m. EDT

A .500 record after eight games wouldn't normally be something
to get overly excited about. Considering where the Sacramento
Kings finished last season, their enthusiasm can be understood.

The Kings seek their first four-game winning streak in more than
18 months Friday night when they host the Houston Rockets.

Expectations are relatively low for Sacramento (4-4) after it
finished a franchise-worst 17-65 last season, prompting the
hiring of coach Paul Westphal on June 10.

Any hopes the Kings had at sneaking up on teams seemed to be
dashed when leading scorer Kevin Martin was lost for two months
to wrist surgery. Although Martin averaged 30.6 points in five
games before his injury, Sacramento went 1-4 during that span
and their future appeared bleak with their best player on the
shelf for an extended period.

With contributions from rookies and veterans, the Kings have won
three straight to reach .500 for the first time since Dec. 4,
2006. Sacramento, which hasn't won four in a row since March
30-April 5, 2008, has had three straight losing seasons after
eight consecutive playoff appearances.

"We want to start getting respect around here and the only way
to do that is on the court," said forward Jason Thompson, a
second-year player who is one of six Kings with one year or less
experience.

Thompson had 21 points and 14 rebounds while rookie Tyreke Evans
continued his impressive play with 20 points, eight boards and
eight assists in Tuesday's 101-98 victory over visiting Oklahoma
City.

Sacramento made 31 of 36 free throws, hitting all 14 attempts in
the third quarter.

"It was a great thing, the way we closed out the game was
right," said Andres Nocioni, who matched a season high with 16
points. "Our young guys are doing a great job. They are bringing
energy and playing great defense. They have given us new blood
on this team."

One of those young players is Evans, the fourth overall pick in
this year's draft. In his last three games, Evans has averaged
25.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

"I am feeling good out there," said Evans. "I have a good bounce
to my game. I feel comfortable attacking the basketball."

Houston (5-3) should provide another challenge for the improving
Kings. The Rockets have won five of seven since a season-opening
loss, and are coming off a dominant second-half performance
Wednesday in a 104-79 win over lowly Memphis.

A five-point halftime lead didn't sit well with coach Rick
Adelman, who tore into his team for their sluggish play. The
Rockets responded by outscoring the Grizzlies 31-19 in the third
quarter.

"At halftime, we talked about the fact that we didn't come out
with the energy we needed to," Adelman said. "The first half, we
didn't come out with a spark. The third quarter, we really
turned it on."

Luis Scola had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Carl Landry scored
20 for Houston, which matched a season high with 30 assists and
finished with 27 fast-break points.

Despite missing injured stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the
Rockets have scored 100 points or more in seven straight games,
the club's longest such streak since a 12-game run during the
1995-96 season.

A big reason for that success is Landry, who is averaging 15.6
points per game - more than six points above last season's
total. He has scored in double figures in a career-best seven
consecutive games.

The Rockets won all three meetings against the Kings in 2008-09
by an average of 13.3 points.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133337-Rockets-Kings-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133337-Rockets-Kings-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:59:11 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Scola has double-double, Rockets beat Memphis]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman ripped his team
after a sluggish first half against Memphis on Wednesday night.

The Rockets got the message and then routed the lowly Grizzlies.

Luis Scola had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Carl Landry scored
20 points in the Rockets' 104-79 victory. Trevor Ariza scored 17
points, Kyle Lowry had 10 assists, and rookie Chase Budinger had
15 points for the Rockets, who've won the last seven meetings
against Memphis in Houston.

Houston led by five at halftime, and Adelman wasn't happy.

"Coach gave us a good talking to and we all got into each
other," Lowry said. "This is the type of game where we said,
'Let's show what kind of team we're going to be.' And we
responded really good."

The Rockets opened the second half with a 16-5 run, forcing
turnovers and repeatedly beating the Grizzlies down the floor
for easy baskets. Memphis missed seven of its first nine shots
in the third quarter before O.J. Mayo's three-point play cut it
to 59-46.

But the Rockets seemed to chase down every loose ball after the
break and took a 74-57 lead to the fourth. Memphis went 7 for 20
from the field in the third quarter and gave up nine fast-break
points.

"If we play like we played in the third quarter," Scola said,
"we're going to be able to beat anybody."

Mayo scored 19 points, and Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph added 18
apiece for the Grizzlies, who've dropped seven straight games
overall.

The Rockets matched a season high with 30 assists, finished with
27 fast-break points and shot 50 percent from the field (44 of
88).

"They did everything they wanted to do to get the win," Memphis
coach Lionel Hollins said. "Their will was stronger than our
will."

The Rockets saved their best highlights for the final quarter.

Lowry led a fast break early in the quarter and flipped a pass
to Ariza for an alley-oop dunk, prompting the loudest cheer of
the night. Lowry picked up a steal on the Grizzlies' next
possession and found Scola for a layup and an 82-62 lead.
Budinger converted another alley-oop pass from Lowry into a dunk
two minutes later.

"It was very contagious," Lowry said. "One guy gets a lob, the
next guy wants a lob, the next big guy wants to get a fast-break
dunk. We get the crowd into it and that's what happened tonight.
Once we got it going, we kept it going."

The Rockets led only 20-17 after an ugly first quarter for both
teams.

Houston had chances to build a wider margin early, but missed 12
of its first 16 shots from 3-point range. The Grizzlies also
stayed close by outrebounding the Rockets 26-19 in the first
half.

"At halftime, we talked about the fact that we didn't come out
with the energy we needed to," Adelman said. "The first half, we
didn't come out with a spark. The third quarter, we really
turned it on."

Both teams came into the game wondering when their respective
All-Star guards would be back in uniform.

Allen Iverson missed his third straight game after leaving the
team over the weekend for "personal reasons." Grizzlies general
manager Chris Wallace said he had "nothing new to report" on
Iverson's status or immediate future with the team.

Meanwhile, Houston's Tracy McGrady was on the bench in street
clothes after setting Nov. 18 as a "target" date for his return
from offseason knee surgery. The Rockets have said that there is
no firm timetable for McGrady's return.

NOTES: Hollins said C Hasheem Thabeet could possibly return for
Saturday's game against Minnesota after fracturing his lower jaw
in Tuesday's loss to Portland. Doctors repaired the ridgeline
fracture in Memphis on Wednesday, and Hollins said Thabeet may
not even wear a protective mouth guard when he returns. ...
Adelman earned his 865th career victory, breaking a tie with
former mentor Jack Ramsey for 11th place. ... Retired Rockets C
Dikembe Mutombo walked into the arena midway through the third
quarter and sat down in a front-row seat next to team owner Les
Alexander.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133116-Scola-has-double-double-Rockets-beat-Memphis</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133116-Scola-has-double-double-Rockets-beat-Memphis</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:56:55 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies-Rockets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

Memphis (1-7) at Houston (4-3), 8:30 p.m. EDT

With or without Allen Iverson, the Memphis Grizzlies are not
playing very good basketball. Visiting the Houston Rockets might
not make things better.

Still without the former All-Star point guard, the Grizzlies
look to avoid a seventh consecutive loss - and their seventh
straight on the road against the Rockets - on Wednesday night.

With Iverson still away from the team because of personal
reasons, Memphis (1-7) lost 93-79 at home to Portland on
Tuesday. The Grizzlies are off to their worst start since losing
eight of their first nine in 2005-06.

Iverson's absence continues to cast a shadow over a club that's
0-5 on the road and allowing 112.0 points per contest overall.

Signed in the offseason, Iverson missed the first three games
with a torn hamstring. He averaged 12.3 points in the three
games he played, but wasn't happy coming off the bench in each
game. He's missed the last two games and has reportedly returned
to his home in Atlanta.

"I'm trying to get (the Grizzlies) to a certain place," coach
Lionel Hollins said. "If we get to that place, and it's good,
then if Allen does come back, then obviously, he has to fit into
that place."

Tuesday's effort proved the Grizzlies are far from where Hollins
wants them. Marc Gasol had 20 points and O.J. Mayo added 17, but
Memphis shot 37.2 percent from the field in its eighth straight
loss to Portland.

Making matters worse, 7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet - the second
overall pick in this year's draft - suffered a fractured jaw
late in the first quarter. Thabeet had four points and 11
rebounds in seven games. It's unclear when he'll return.

Gasol has been one of the few bright spots for the Grizzlies.
After averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds during his rookie
season, the 7-footer is posting 16.0 points and 11.3 boards per
contest through eight games.

Though Mayo averaged 17.5 points in four games against Houston
as a rookie last season, he was held to 20 on 9-for-33 shooting
in two road contests versus the Rockets.

Houston (4-3) looks to bounce back from a 121-103 loss at Dallas
on Tuesday. Aaron Brooks had 22 points and Carl Landry scored 19
as the Rockets fell for the second time in three games after
winning three in a row. Houston led by as much as 17 but hit
only 5 of 22 shots in a decisive third quarter.

Trevor Ariza entered the contest averaging a team-leading 20.2
points, but he was held to a season-low nine.

"We took quick shots," said Brooks, who's averaging 18.9 points
this season, but 8.5 in four career games against the Grizzlies.
"We got out of sync in our offense."

While Houston star Tracy McGrady won't make his season debut in
this contest, he could be close to returning after undergoing
microfracture surgery on his left knee in February.

"He's been able to practice and doesn't have the pain he had
last year," said Rockets coach Rick Adelman, who was quick to
dismiss a report that said McGrady planned to return against
Minnesota on Nov. 18. "He still has a long ways to go as far as
running the court and moving defensively."

Though it gave up a season high point total Tuesday, Houston is
holding Memphis to an average of 87.7 and 41.2 percent shooting
during its six-game home winning streak in the series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132917-Grizzlies-Rockets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132917-Grizzlies-Rockets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:49:35 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Mavericks start slow, beat Rockets 121-103]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVID JIMENEZ
Associated Press Writer

DALLAS(AP) -- Erick Dampier isn't content just snatching rebounds
and anchoring the Dallas Mavericks' defense. The 6-foot-11
center showed Tuesday night he can contribute offensively too.

Dampier scored 14 points on 6 of 6 shooting, grabbed 20 rebounds
and blocked three shots as the Mavericks rallied from a 17-point
deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 121-103.

"He wants to be involved on the offensive end and not just set
picks and get rebounds." Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd said.
"He wants to be involved in all aspects."

Jason Terry was 7 of 8 from the field for 24 points, Dirk
Nowitzki added 23, and Josh Howard and Jose Barea each had 14
for Dallas, which scored at least 120 for the second straight
game.

While the Mavericks offense continued rolling along, it was
Dampier and the defense that sparked a 22-3 run that helped them
bounce back from a sluggish start.

Dampier posted his third double-double in seven games. He didn't
get his third last season until the team's 32nd contest.

"We didn't play the game we wanted to in the first quarter,"
said Dampier, who recorded the eighth 20-rebound game of his
career. "But we picked it up in the second half. We've got to be
a defensive-minded team, get stops and that will give us a
chance to win every night."

Houston's Aaron Brooks had 22 points, Carl Landry scored 19 and
David Anderson added 13.

The Rockets jumped ahead thanks its highest-scoring first
quarter of the season and were up 56-39 midway through the
second.

"The first half, it was abysmal." Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle
said.

Dallas took the lead for good as the Rockets hit only 5 of 22
shots in the third quarter.

"We took quick shots," Brooks said. "We got out of synch in our
offense."

After closing the first half on a 10-0 run, the Mavericks
grabbed their first lead since the opening minutes at 65-64 on
Nowitzki's step back jumper.

Howard capped the surge with consecutive baskets that put Dallas
on top 69-64.

Behind Barea's eight points over the final 2 1/2 minutes of the
third, the Mavericks stretched their lead to 83-74.

"There's no secret what's going to get us wins," said Terry, who
is 27 of 38 from the floor over the past three games. "When we
didn't play defense, we got down by 15. We have to continue to
lock in, get stops and run."

Dallas outscored the Rockets 26-13 in the third, Houston's
lowest scoring quarter of the season.

The Rockets got no closer than eight in the fourth quarter, and
the Mavericks' lead swelled to as much as 22.

The Mavericks have averaged 119 points over their past three
games, including 129 in a blowout win over Toronto on Saturday.

"You know Dallas is going to make runs here," Houston forward
Shane Battier said. "They've done it for years and they've got
guys who can make down shots."

Brooks hit his first five shots and scored 14 points in the
first quarter, staking the Rockets to a 37-28 lead. The Houston
point guard hit two free and a 3-pointer to start the second to
push the advantage to 12.

Anderson hit a short jump hook that put Houston ahead 56-39.
That's when Dallas started its comeback.

The Rockets went scoreless over the final 3:04 of the opening
half, and Nowitzki closed with two straight baskets to bring
Dallas within 61-57 at halftime.

NOTES: Rockets coach Rick Adelman remained tied for 11th on the
all-time wins list with 864. He is even with Jack Ramsay, who
gave Adelman his first job as an assistant in 1983. ... F Drew
Gooden (strained rib cage muscle) returned after missing four
games. ... Dampier grabbed eight rebounds in the third. ... The
Mavericks were 22 of 23 from the foul line. Their only blemish
came when rookie Rodrigue Beaubois missed with 17 seconds left.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132881-Mavericks-start-slow-beat-Rockets-121-103</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132881-Mavericks-start-slow-beat-Rockets-121-103</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:21:50 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No timetable set for McGrady's return]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[DALLAS(AP) -- Tracy McGrady is closer to getting back on the court
after microfracture surgery, but no timetable has been set for
the seven-time All-Star's return to the Houston Rockets.

"He's been able to practice and doesn't have the pain he had
last year," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said Tuesday. "He still
has a long ways to go as far as running the court and moving
defensively."

There was an internet report Monday that McGrady, who had
surgery on his left knee in February, planned to make his season
debut Nov. 18 against Minnesota.

Adelman was quick to dismiss that date.

"Coming off that surgery, you're not going to have the quickness
you had before," Adelman said. "He's done OK. But he has a long
way to go."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132854-No-timetable-set-for-McGradys-return</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132854-No-timetable-set-for-McGradys-return</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:47:51 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Mavericks Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JUSTIN EINHORN
STATS Senior Editor

Houston (4-2) at Dallas (4-2), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The return of Josh Howard brings the Dallas Mavericks more
balance.

It seems the Houston Rockets have little choice but to go that
route offensively.

These in-state rivals play Tuesday night for the first time
since Dallas cost Houston its first division title in 15 years.

The Rockets had the Southwest Division crown and the No. 2 seed
in the Western Conference within their grasp going into their
final game of the 2008-09 season, but they lost 95-84 in Dallas.
That gave San Antonio the Southwest title while Houston settled
for the fifth seed, one spot ahead of the Mavericks.

Both teams would lose in the conference semifinals and they
appear capable of getting at least that far this season after
strong starts, though Dallas (4-2) no longer has major injury
problems while Houston (4-2) will have some all season.

As the Rockets await Tracy McGrady's return and know Yao Ming
won't be back, the Mavericks saw Howard make his season debut
Saturday in a 129-101 win over Toronto.

Dallas had five players score in double figures for the first
time en route to its highest point total of the season. Only one
player scored more than 20 - Dirk Nowitzki (29) - for the sixth
straight game, but three others came close as Jason Terry had
19, Shawn Marion 18 and Howard 16.

Marion, acquired from Toronto in July, got his first glimpse at
how good Dallas' offense can be now that Howard has rejoined the
mix.

"It felt good, but a little weird because we haven't been out
there," Marion said. "It's always good to have another weapon
out there."

Howard, who averaged 18.0 points in 2008-09, missed the first
five games following surgery to his ankle and wrist.

"It's something I have to keep working through," said Howard,
who expects to be sore for a while. "Of course I'm fatigued and
I have to work through the process of getting back to 100
percent, which I'm not. But I felt pretty good, getting back in
the swing of things."

Houston should be feeling pretty good despite Yao (foot surgery)
being out for the season and McGrady (knee surgery) unlikely to
return in 2009.

The Rockets have won four of five, scoring more than 100 points
in each, and the only loss came in overtime to the defending
champion Los Angeles Lakers.

They have six players averaging at least 9.8 points - newcomer
Trevor Ariza leads the way with 20.8 per game - and a different
player has led Houston in scoring in three straight contests.

"We've got unselfish guys on this team," said rookie Chase
Budinger, averaging 10.6 points off the bench. "Nobody on this
team is playing for themselves. We are playing together, and
everybody has got one goal in mind, and that is to win games."

Five Rockets scored in double digits Friday in a 105-94 win over
Oklahoma City. Two days earlier, six were in double figures
against the Lakers, and two days before that, eight scored at
least 10 in a win at Utah.

"It's pretty much going to be like that the whole season,"
forward Luis Scola said.

Coach Rick Adelman will be going for his 865th career victory,
which would break a tie with Jack Ramsay for 11th place
all-time.

These teams split four meetings last season as each won once on
the road.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132563-Rockets-Mavericks-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132563-Rockets-Mavericks-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:32:52 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Ariza, Landry score 21 each in Rockets' 105-94 win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- The Houston Rockets' balanced scoring was enough to
overcome big games by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry scored 21 points apiece and the
Rockets extended their winning streak over the Oklahoma City
franchise to 11 games with a 105-94 victory over the Thunder on
Friday night.

Luis Scola added 19 points and 10 rebounds, rookie Chase
Budinger scored 16 and Aaron Brooks added 11 points for the
Rockets, who finished with 26 assists.

"We've got unselfish guys on this team," Budinger said. "Nobody
on this team is playing for themselves. We are playing together,
and everybody has got one goal in mind, and that is to win
games."

Westbrook scored 33 points and Durant added 27, but they were
the only players in double figures for the Thunder. The duo hit
25 of 47 shots from the field - the rest of the team went 15 for
45.

"They both had good offensive games, but we are all about team,"
Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "We didn't get the job
done."

The Oklahoma City franchise hasn't beaten Houston since a 104-87
win on April 4, 2006, when the team still played in Seattle. The
franchise's last win in Houston came in February 2005.

Westbrook and Durant scored 16 of Oklahoma City's first 19
points in the final quarter to keep the Thunder in it, but never
had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead.

Jeff Green, who came in averaging 19 points per game, shot 3 for
15 for Oklahoma City. Nenad Krstic, averaging 10 points per
game, went 1 for 8 from the field.

Houston forward Shane Battier said the Rockets successfully
executed their game plan, limiting ball movement and forcing
Oklahoma City's players to beat them off the dribble.

The Thunder had 15 assists and 15 turnovers, and Westbrook and
Durant took 26 of their team's 45 shots in the second half.

"Their two guys had big games and if you're not careful,
sometimes you can get beat with that theory," Battier said. "But
we want to play good team defense and we can do that better when
we have more isolations."

Kyle Lowry had eight assists in less than 20 minutes, and Brooks
and Ariza each had six for Houston. With Yao Ming sidelined for
the season and Tracy McGrady out indefinitely, the Rockets will
have to get scoring balance from just about everyone else to
compete with most teams.

"It's pretty much going to be like that the whole season," Scola
said. "We are going to face challenges every night. One of the
challenges is whether or not we are going to be consistent on a
daily basis."

Westbrook had seven assists for the Thunder, who trailed 50-45
at halftime.

The Rockets hit 10 of their first 14 shots in the third quarter
to push the lead to 73-59. Durant finished a fast break with a
one-handed dunk a few minutes later to cut Oklahoma City's
deficit to 10, but Landry converted a three-point play to put
Houston ahead 80-67.

"They pulled away in the third quarter, they were hitting their
shots," Durant said. "They were more aggressive than we were and
that is what wins games."

NOTES: Thunder G Shaun Livingston scored two points in his first
action of the season. ... The Rockets wore red and yellow
throwback jerseys reminiscent of the uniforms they wore when
they won NBA titles in 1994-95. Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks
was a backup guard on the Rockets' first championship team.
"That's a great gesture for them to do that for me," Brooks
joked before the game. ... Lowry blocked four shots, a career
high.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131929-Ariza-Landry-score-21-each-in-Rockets-105-94-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131929-Ariza-Landry-score-21-each-in-Rockets-105-94-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:22:08 GMT</pubDate>
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