Rockets trailing 28-26 after 1 quarter. Ariza with 14 points. Don't like the defense being played right now. Golden State is giving up open 3s with their zone, and Rockets have capitalized thus far to keep themselves in the game. But they have to defend and rebound better.
Rockets down by 10 at the half. Scola and Landry have played like dog shit through 1 1/2 games. These guys are supposed to be the primary inside scorers, and they've given the team nothing so far.
Brooks taking over on offense in the 3rd quarter. Chuck and Shane leading the way on defense. Rockets up by 4.
Rockets up 6 at the end of the third. Scola scores 19 points in the third quarter, after scoring only 3 points over the previous 6 quarters. Go figure. Will the Rockets have enough gas to finish this game? Brooks may need to play the entire second half again, as he did the night before. Lowry has 4 fouls, as does Ariza.
Rockets hold on for the victory, winning 108 to 107. Rockets hit 12 threes, and get 14 steals. Difference maker was Brooks asserting himself on the offense end, and more defensive cohesion in the second half. Luis Scola and Carl Landry finally showed up, and had a big impact in the second half. Budinger did a nice job all-around in the second half as well.
