--After spending most of the season searching for solutions, the Rockets hope to move forward by returning to their recent past. Their hopes, they said, are tied to a return to the defensive prowess they once assumed.
"We have to get our defensive identity back," said coach Rick Adelman. "That's for sure. We have to find ways to make sure Yao (Ming is) the main guy we're going to and really try to find a way to get a little more energy off the bench." With Tracy McGrady out, Ron Artest moves to the starting lineup. He started early in the season when Shane Battier was out, but only recently has been starting with Battier. They have started eight games together with the Rockets going 6-2 in those games.
"If we want to make some noise this stretch run, we have to be a great defensive team," Battier said. "It starts with everyone playing their man more honest and having a little more accountability."
Artest was all for that.
"There should be games that should be won on defense, and some nights when you don't shoot the ball that well, you get a chance to finish it off on defense," Artest said. "That's how we were at the beginning of the season."
--The Rockets did not have their largest margin of victory or largest lead, but they did set several season bests in routing the Nets. They hit more three-pointers (making 15 of 29), had more assists (27) and had a larger rebound margin (56-30) than in any game this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We want a healthy Tracy McGrady rather than a Tracy McGrady that's hobbled by injury. For myself, it's four years and running that we've been dealing with injuries on this team. I learned to put it aside my first year. Hey, you just have to keep it going, understand there's a task still at hand and with the hopes that he can come back. I know I would really like to see him back on the floor. I know this team needs him." -- Point guard Rafer Alston.
