Rockets notes after beating Nets 91-73

Tonight’s attendance of 18,271 marks Houston’s 20th sellout at Toyota Center this season.

Houston won 91-73 to capture its 19th victory in a row (1/29/08-3/10/08), which matches the third longest winning streak in NBA history: 33 by the L.A. Lakers (11/5/71-1/7/1972), 20 by the Milwaukee Bucks (2/6/71-3/8/71) and 19 by the L.A. Lakers (2/4/00-3/13/00).

The Rockets have actually won their last 10 consecutive games by a double-digit margin (2/21/08-3/10/08), which equals the all-time record of 10 by the Washington Capitols in Dec. 1946 and 10 by the New Jersey Nets in Jan.-Feb. 2004.

The Nets scored the opening basket of the game, which marked the first time since the 2005-06 campaign that the Nets have held any kind of lead over the Rockets. New Jersey took a 90-77 win at Houston (3/13/06) in the second meeting that season. Houston then scored the opening points in the next three outings and never trailed in any of those games with New Jersey (12/27/06, 3/9/07 and 12/7/07).

Houston kept New Jersey to just 24-of-79 (.304) from the floor to set the 2007-08 opponent lows for field goals made and field goal percentage. The previous lows were 25 field goals (done twice: last 1/25/08 at Portland) and .313 shooting by the Wizards at Houston (2/26/08). The Rockets also held the Nets to 28 points on .209 (9-43 FG) shooting in the first half to set Houston’s opponent low in field goal percentage for a half, eclipsing the .213 (10-47 FG) mark set by the Wizards in the first half at Houston (2/26/08). Houston also limited New Jersey to an opponent quarter-low .158 (3-19 FG) from the floor in the second stanza, surpassing a .167 mark set by the Hornets in the second quarter at New Orleans (2/22/08).

Tonight was the third time this season that Houston has held an opponent to fewer than 30 points in a half. The Rockets gave up just 29 second-half points to the Trail Blazers at Portland (1/25/08) and limited the Wizards to a franchise-low 23 points in the first half vs. Washington (2/26/08).

New Jersey went 0-for-6 from downtown to become Houston’s third opponent this season to go scoreless from beyond the arc. Minnesota was held 0-for-6 from downtown at Houston (1/11/08) and Atlanta was 0-for-5 from 3-point range at Houston (2/9/08).

Tracy McGrady finished with game-high 19 points and four assists, including a 13-point third quarter.

Rafer Alston had 12 points and three assists, snapping his string of consecutive 20-point outings at three games.

Steve Novak registered a career-high 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 3FG), surpassing his 10-point (4-4 FG, 2-2 3FG) outing vs. Utah (1/27/08).

Dikembe Mutombo posted six rebounds and a season-high five blocks. Mutombo has now upped his total to 17 blocked shots (2.43 bpg) over his seven starts for Yao Ming.

With a game-high 10 rebounds tonight, Chuck Hayes picked up his 25th career double-digit rebounding performances and his seventh of this season.

Vince Carter finished with a team-high 13 points and three assists. Carter, who topped the Nets with 32 points at New Jersey (12/7/07), had almost the same number of points in that game as the top three New Jersey scorers from tonight’s outing (35 combined points: Carter-13, Jefferson-12 and Harris-10).

Warriors recall Kosta Perovic and assign Patrick O’Bryant to D-League

The Golden State Warriors have recalled rookie center Kosta Perović from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League and assigned second-year center Patrick O’Bryant to the Jam, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.
 
Perović, 23, returns from his second assignment to the D-League this season, the latest of which began on March 3.  During his latest stint with the Jam, the 7-2 center played in two games, averaging 13.5 points and 18.5 rebounds in 35.0 minutes per contest – having tallied 16 points and 18 rebounds against Anaheim on March 7, as well as 11 points and 19 rebounds against Iowa on March 9.  In 21 games overall this season with the Jam, Perović has averaged 9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per contest.
 
O’Bryant, 21, is being assigned to the Jam for the first time this season.  He has appeared in 22 games for Golden State this season, averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per contest.  The 7-0 center appeared in 25 games for the Jam during his rookie season in 2006-07, averaging 12.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.88 blocks in 29.6 minutes per contest.
 
Perović and O’Bryant are the only two Warriors player to be assigned to the D-League since the current affiliation system began during the 2005-06 season.  Under the system, NBA teams can assign up to two players who are rookies or in their second season to their D-League affiliate. Players can stay with the D-League team for as long as the team wishes, and be recalled back to the NBA at any time. However, a player can only be sent to the D-League a maximum of three times during the season.

Heat waive Smush Parker

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have requested waivers on guard Smush Parker.

No word yet on the exact buyout agreement, but we’ll post it here and on our rumors page when it’s known.

There is no guarantee Parker gets signed by another team. Not after such public disagreements with Pat Riley and Lakers coach Phil Jackson, two of the game’s most respected coaches.

Parker, who was signed as a free agent by the HEAT on July 27, 2007, appeared in nine games for Miami this season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.
 
The HEAT roster currently stands at 14 players.

Antawn Jamison speaks

Antawn Jamison on the current home stand: “This is one of the last home stands of the season.  This is an opportunity for us to get some home cooking.  We play a game and get a day off after every game.  At this point in the season, you don’t get many opportunities like that.  Hopefully we can get some healthy bodies out on the court as well.  We can really start to see what type of team we’re going to be heading into the next month and hopefully the playoffs.”

Antawn Jamison on Caron Butler’s play in practice: “He looks quick.  He looks lively.  The key is how he feels later on tonight.  I think he’ll give it another practice before he plays in a game.  He looked pretty good.  We’re going to see what happens once he gets some ice on him and gets an opportunity to rest.”

Antawn Jamison on Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas: “It’s good to see those guys moving around and getting closer and closer to playing.  We’d like to see them out there but we’ve got to be patient.  It’s almost like Christmas…you’re counting down the days until you can finally open the presents.  It would be nice to see number zero and number three out there on the basketball court.”

Houston Rockets notes

27-3: Houston is 27-3 over its last 30 games, registering 27 wins over a 30-game span within a single season for the first time ever in the club’s history.

Beyond the Arc: Houston connected on 14-of-34 (.412) from beyond the arc vs. New Orleans (3/8/08), setting Houston’s season high in 3-pointers made (prev. high: 13 on 2/24/08 vs. Chicago and 13 on 3/5/08 vs. Indiana) and matching the season best in 3-point attempts (34 on 12/20/07 at Denver and 34 on 3/5/08 vs. Indiana).

Western Conference Player of the Week: Tracy McGrady was named today by the NBA as Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Mar. 3 through Sunday, Mar. 9. It is his second such honor this season after winning West Player of the Week earlier this season for games played Oct. 30-Nov. 4. Overall, it marks McGrady’s seventh time with the Rockets and the 12th time in his career to be named NBA’s Conference Player of the Week.

Hawks sign Jeremy Richardson for rest of season

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Jeremy Richardson for the remainder of the season, effective March 9, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Richardson, signed earlier to two 10-day contracts with Atlanta, has appeared in nine games with the Hawks, averaging 3.0 ppg (.478 FG%, .556 3FG%) in 6.6 mpg. Richardson has also seen action earlier this season with Memphis (three contests) and San Antonio (five games).

Dwayne Wade knee treatment will end season

The Miami HEAT announced today that guard Dwyane Wade will undergo OssaTron treatment (Shock wave therapy) on his left knee and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2007-08 season. The procedure which is non-surgical and will take approximately 30 minutes will be performed later this week. After the procedure is completed Wade will be limited to passive exercise for the first 30 days and after 30 days he can slowly return to basketball related activities. Wade initially had surgery on the left knee on May 15, 2007 and has been bothered by tendinitis in the knee.

With just 11 wins to go with their 50 losses, the Heat have the league’s worst record. Despite the pairing of Wade with the multi-talented Shawn Marion, acquired when the team traded Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat haven’t looked any better and have recently been getting blown out at home. There was simply no reason for Wade to keep playing hurt. He might as well take time, heal, get back to 100 percent health, and focus on a better next season.

So, we’re not surprised that his season is over.