Utah Jazz: Win lets Rockets play kiss and tell
But kissing is unusual.
Still, Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston couldn't help himself in the aftermath of teammate Carl Landry's potential game-saving blocked shot in the final seconds on Thursday night against the Utah Jazz. Alston walked right over and planted a kiss on the rookie's cheek in the excitement of the moment.
And Alston hasn't heard the end of it yet. He was already getting teased by teammates about banking in a 3-pointer early in the first quarter. But the kiss gave fellow Rockets extra and better material.
"The kiss, by far, overtook the bank shot," in terms of ribbing from teammates, Alston said.
Rockets star Tracy McGrady wasn't a big fan of the kiss.
"It was nasty," said McGrady. "I know (Alston) was on an emotional high, but it was nasty."
The Rockets as a whole, meanwhile, were smiling and joking and acting like a confident bunch while meeting with the media on the off-day Friday in preparation for tonight's Game 4 at EnergySolutions Arena.
They still trail the best-of-7 series 2-1, but they have proven capable of beating the Jazz in Utah both during the regular season and in the playoffs.
"We know we are going back to Houston for Game 5 now," said Rockets forward Shane Battier. "We want to come back to Utah for Game 6."
After Utah won the first two games in Houston, it looked like the Jazz might sweep the series since they were the best home team in the NBA during the regular season. But Houston's win put an end to that line of thinking.
"We won last night and the whole mood of the series changed," said Rockets coach Rick Adelman. "That's just how it is. When they beat us the first game it was a shock. When they swept us at our place, the mood changed for us. I'm sure they are a little shocked by losing (Thursday) night."
McGrady, who was criticized after the first two games for being a non-factor down the stretch, scored seven of his team-high 27 points in the fourth quarter on Thursday. He was just 2-for-8 from the field in the final quarter, but it was good enough to help his team win.
"We just kept our composure and kept our poise and came out with a victory," said McGrady. "They know they have a dogfight on their hands and we know we can win in their building in the playoffs. We have confidence and I'm sure they have confidence as well."
Recent comments
Yao out. Alston coming off an injury. Landry coming back from an...
RecknHavic | April 26, 2008 at 5:59 p.m.
The truth of the matter, might be that the Rockets are a very good...
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