TONIGHT: ROCKETS AT CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
• When/where: 6 p.m.; Time Warner Cable Arena.
• TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM, 850 AM (Spanish).
• Key players: F Carl Landry, who signed an offer sheet with the Bobcats in September 2008, has become the Rockets' second-leading scorer and their top scorer in the fourth quarter. He could be especially key off the bench with the Bobcats thin in the frontcourt . G Stephen Jackson has been key to the Bobcats' turnaround. They are 13-13 since he became a starter and are 6-4 with the current starting lineup, and Jackson has emerged as the leading scorer and a solid defender since the trade with the Warriors.
• Rockets (21-16) update: They start a back-to-back with a four-game road losing streak but have a seven-game winning streak against the Bobcats and a three-game winning streak in Charlotte. The offense bounced back in the past two games but will be tested by the Bobcats' strong defense.
• Bobcats (16-19) update: They have been strong at home, going 13-4. But in their 4-1 start this month, they have won at Cleveland and Miami. The Bobcats beat the Grizzlies on a last-second tip-in by Gerald Wallace on Saturday to start a four-game homestand. Center Tyson Chandler has been out through all of the recent run, missing eight games with a stress reaction in his right foot.
11th back-to-back
Tonight's game at Charlotte will be the start of the Rockets' 11th set of back-to-backs this season. The Rockets have lost the second half of their last two back-to-backs (at Cleveland and Phoenix).
Coach Rick Adelman said the Rockets are better equipped to play two games in as many nights than last month when the schedule was overcrowded with games and little time to rest or prepare.
When the Rockets play Minnesota on Wednesday at Toyota Center, they will have had two games, two off days and two practice days since last week's back-to-back at Los Angeles and Phoenix.
“It shouldn't be a problem,” he said. “Minnesota's off when we play (tonight), but we're coming home after the back-to-back and we know this is one of the few (back-to-backs) we have left. We had the day off (Sunday) and a decent workout (Monday). We should be fine.”
Budinger bouncing back
Although Rockets guard Chase Budinger has been back from his sprained left ankle for a week, playing three games with increasing effectiveness, he said he is not at full strength.
“I noticed on the dunk I had, I didn't really jump that high,” Budinger said. “It's little things like that I notice. I wouldn't say I'm limited. I'm still doing the things I normally do. I just know on a couple of rebounds, a couple of layups, I can jump higher. I'm not jumping as high as I used to. I don't think anyone else can notice it except for me.”
Bobcats on a roll
The Bobcats are still three games under .500 but are 13-4 at home and have won four of five games this month, including wins at Cleveland and Miami.
That is the sort of improvement Rockets forward Carl Landry expected when he signed an offer sheet with the Bobcats before last season.
“I follow them a little bit, just like all other teams,” Landry said. “That was the team I signed with last year. They are a good team, a well-coached team. Larry Brown is one of the best coaches in the league. And they play hard. They're kind of like us.”
Said the Rockets' Shane Battier: “I think Stephen Jackson really helps them. Stephen's a great player. Gerald Wallace is having a career year. He should get All-Star consideration. And they have one of the best coaches in Larry Brown. It was only a matter of time before they clicked.”
Posts
