Pacers Race Past Rockets

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The new-look Houston Rockets scored 115 points; unfortunately, the Rockets allowed 125 points to the Indiana Pacers as Indiana picked up the 125-115 victory in fron of an announced crowd of 16,550 fans.

The Rockets led by 11 points at halftime; but, the Pacers (19-36) erased that lead in the third quarter outscoring the Rockets 36-25 to tie the game at 90 heading to the fourth period.

"That was a very poor defensive effort on our part," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman. "We talked about it at halftime, with an 11 point lead, that the Pacers could score points. 'You got to get out. You got to make a stand. You got to play people individually. You can't gamble. Be solid.'

"They got it going; and, then they started making every shot. You give up 71 points (in the second half) at home you're not going to win very many games doing that."

Defense seemed to be taboo to the Rockets in the second half as Indiana shot 56.8% (25 for 44) from the field.

T.J. Ford led the second half onslaught with 18 points (8 for 13 from the field) in 15 plus minutes. Ford finished the game with a season-high 23 points; and, he did not record his first assist until he had scored 22 points.

"T.J. Ford was amazing," said Aaron Brooks. "He made a lot of jumpers. He played well."

The Rockets (28-26) led the Pacers 30 to 27 after the first period. Luis Scola scored 11 in the opening 12 minutes.

Kevin Martin checked into the game with 5:50 remaining in the quarter to a standing ovation.

Martin finished the first quarter with two points (1 for 5); two assists; one board; and one steal.

The Rockets offense continued rolling in the second quarter with 35 points on 13 for 24 shooting (4 for 5 on threes). Aaron Brooks scored 11 points in the second.

The third period started the Rockets' downfall.

"It all started with the third quarter," Brooks said. "We had an 11 point lead. We knew these guys could score points in bunches. But, we let them back into the game. They rode the momentum from the third quarter into the fourth quarter.

"I think it starts in the third. If we go out there and play hard and make a stand in the third quarter, they won't have momentum in the fourth. They played a great game." 

Offense was not the problem tonight for the Rockets.

"We scored 115 points and had 28 assists," said Coach Adelman. "We didn't give ourselves a chance. They had everything going for them. If you're making any stops at the other end, it carries over at the offensive end.

"I talked about it at halftime even before it started; and, I talked about it at every timeout; and, it never changed. We are not going to do anything if we don't have more of an attitude at the defensive end of the floor. I know we have shortcomings and everything; but, we've got to be better thant that."

Martin finished the game with 14 points; but, he made only 3 of his 16 field goals. He did shoot 8 for 9 from the free throw line. Martin added six rebounds; five assists; three steals; and one blocked shot.

Martin said he liked the shots he took.

"Loved them," Martin acknowledged. "They felt good. Some nights your shot just doesn't fall; but, you just can't let it affect how you play on the other end and just do other things."

Indiana's Danny Granger scored a game-high 36 points including 12 in the final quarter including back-to-back three-point buckets to ice the game for the Pacers.