Utah Jazz: Win lets Rockets play kiss and tell

Public displays of affection are not uncommon in basketball. NBA teammates often slap each other's hands, sometimes pat each other's behinds and even hug after game-winning shots and other special occasions.

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.

And why shouldn't they be feeling good? Houston, which made headlines during the regular season by winning 22 games in a row — the second longest streak in NBA history — climbed back into their first-round series against the Jazz with their two-point win on Thursday.

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."