Rockets Love Fest

UPDATE, 3/18: Boston ends the streak with 94-74 win.
UPDATE, 3/16: Rockets make it 22 straight!
UPDATE, 3/14/08: 21 wins in a row!
UPDATE, 3/12/08: The streak is up to 20 straight wins!

The Houston Rockets continued their spectacular ride with their franchise record 18th straight win Saturday night. The New Orleans Hornets were losing team number 18. The national sports media has hopped on the bandwagon, too. Did you know "Rafer Alston is the most underrated point guard in the NBA?"

The Rockets have not just won 18 straight games. The last nine wins have been by double-digits which is one short of the league record.

It's amazing what winning can do.

A few months ago Tracy McGrady was worried about his injured left knee and whether he'd be able to finish the season. Plus, McGrady was complaining about the shooting background at Toyota Center. Fans were griping about McGrady's lack of toughness so much they wanted the Rockets to trade him. Quick. Fast. And in a hurry.

Eighteen straight wins later. McGrady is on a roll! He's scored 20 plus points -- in the first half -- for two straight games. T-Mac's 41 point, nine assist showing versus New Orleans was sensational! In fact, Rockets fans chanted "MVP! MVP! MVP!" during the ball game.

Now, since the Rockets have won six straight games without him, some fans want the Rockets to trade center Yao Ming instead of McGrady.

Rafer Alston has played very, very well during this Rockets roll. He's averaged 15.4 points and 7.2 assists per game during the streak. He's scored 20-plus points in three consecutive games for just the third time in his career.

And, Alston is letting his opponents know he and his team are playing well, too.

"I don't like them. They don't like me," Alston said. "They keep telling me to stop talking. I'm great at talking trash."

Paul, considered an MVP candidate, was pretty good at it, too.


"I wish I could be half as good as him one of these days in the NBA," Paul said, "since he thinks he's so great."

The Rockets are getting positive contributions from every player. Rookie forwards Carl Landry and Luis Scola have combined to produce Tim Duncan type numbers game in and game out. Dikembe Mutombo is a force on defense blocking and / or altering shots. Luther Head is scoring well off the bench. Chuck Hayes grabs rebounds; plays pestering defense; and cuts to the basket for easy lay-ups. Steve Novak is knocking down open 3s. Shane Battier is doing his job.

On and on.

Houston has hit 74-of-188 (.394) 3-pointers over their last seven games, reaching double-digits made from downtown in five of those contests.

Whichever player head coach Rick Adelman puts in the game gets the job done when called.

The Toyota Center crowd has been electric. The players are jumping up and down and chest bumping during times-out. Overall, the team is confident; energized; and excited to be on the court.

When will the Love Fest end? Who knows and honestly who cares?