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Saturday February 21, 2009 1:33 AM

Brooks' Daggers Doom The Mavs

Brooks hits big shots down the stretch to put away Dallas 93-86

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

Houston - One game does not a great trade make.

That may sound like something out of a fortune cookie, but it also happens to be true. However, for one night at the very least, Daryl Morey’s deadline deal looks like a stroke of genius.

Just one day after being handed the reins to the Rockets’ offense following the trade which sent former starting point guard Rafer Alston to Orlando, Aaron Brooks made himself right at home in his new position, stuffing the stat sheet and, more importantly, knocking down two clutch three-pointers to help lead Houston to a thrilling 93-86 victory over its division rivals from Dallas.

And while Brooks was only in the mood to rave about his teammates after the game, there were plenty of other players who were all too happy to heap praise on the second-year guard for his crunch-time heroics.

“He’s always had that confidence,” said Shane Battier. “The recent games where he’s played down the stretch, he’s hit some pretty big shots for us. The kid’s got cojones. He’s not scared to take that shot.”

Brooks says some of that fearlessness stems from the trust the club has demonstrated by naming him its starter.

“It means they’ve got confidence in me and now it’s my turn to return the favor. I’ve got to go out there and play hard each game. I know not everything’s going to be perfect but I’ve got to keep it even-keel and just be positive for the team.

“I think if I just slow down and play my game and just relax [things will be fine]. We did a good job as a team. Luis hit a bunch of clutch shots, Yao was big and our defense won this game today.”

To be sure, Brooks had plenty of help from his teammates Friday night. Yao Ming (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Ron Artest (17 points, 3 steals) were their usual rock-solid selves, and even the newly-acquired Kyle Lowry provided some meaningful minutes off the bench, despite the certain fatigue he must have been feeling after a whirlwind 24 hours which included little sleep and no practice time.

But perhaps no one played a more vital role in Houston’s victory than Luis Scola, who not only contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds, but also did yeoman’s work on the defensive end, helping to hold Dirk Nowitzki to just 9 points (16 below his season average) on 4-of-18 shooting. Just like Brooks, however, Scola downplayed much of his impact.

“When you wake up and realize you have to play defense against these type of guys – Dirk, Garnett, Duncan, Stoudemire – you need a little luck on your side because when those guys get it going, there’s not very much you can do. So you play hard, try to play physical with them, make them feel uncomfortable and make then do what they don’t like to do so that, hopefully, when they take their shots they miss a couple right in the beginning and everything is easier.

“If he would have made those two or three first shots that he took, it probably would have been a whole different night. So you need a little luck and you need a whole team effort to back you up.”

So there you have it: Everyone contributing, while simultaneously re-directing the credit to everyone else in the locker room. That same team-first mentality is clearly manifesting itself on the court as well, judging by the better ball movement and improved defensive play of late which have combined to help carry the Rockets to a season-best 13 games over .500.

There remains plenty of work to be done, of course. (For starters, cleaning up those 22 turnovers) and the results of the trade are, obviously, still very much a work in progress. Brooks is sure to have growing pains like every other young point guard, Lowry must get acclimated to his new teammates and new system, and the coaching staff needs to figure out a way to utilize its other new “chess piece”, Brian Cook, as well.

But it’s refreshing to see the club show signs of being back on track after watching it spend the majority of the season in search of the sort of chemistry, consistency and cohesion it’s demonstrating now. We may not know where the Rockets are headed, but at least they’re pointed in the right direction. And, sometimes, that’s all you can ask out of life.

Just another bit of fortune cookie wisdom for a team that’s starting to show it may still have the potential to be everything people thought it was cracked up to be.

And 1’s: After the game, Coach Rick Adelman offered his first impressions of Kyle Lowry: “I liked him. For just coming in off the plane and just throwing him out there, I think he did a good job. He’s a guy who will attack the basket, which I like. He’ll push it and he’s tough. He and Aaron are the same type of player, so we’re going to be consistent in the way we play.”

QUOTES

RICK ADELMAN

(On the win) “It was a great win. Our guys, after the first quarter, really picked up our defense and did a good job of controlling the tempo. The only thing I can complain about is the turnovers. We had so many turnovers and that is something we just can't do. Our guys really hung in there, really stayed with it.”

(On the turning point in the 3rd quarter) “We talked about it, with the group we have right now, with the two point guards we have, we need to push it and try to get the easy points.

What I liked about it is everybody thinks it's fast break basketball but it's really not. You need to flow into a transition game where the other team can't pick up what you are doing and we did a nice job of that. We did a nice job of getting into stuff, getting it into Yao. Yao is kind of our anchor. He's the one that is coming behind, especially if he is trailing a play and we are trying to get quick hitting things but we know that we have him at the end of the play. We just started doing this with all the changes and everything and I think we are just going to get better at it.”

(Scola): With Dirk, you have to keep him off the line No. 1 and hope that he has an off game, which I think he had. But Luis stayed down on him and make [Dirk] take shots over top of him. Some night he’s going to knock those down but you have to have the mental discipline where you make him work for every shot he gets. Our guys did a good job of following the gameplan that [assistant coach] Elston [Turner] laid out for us and I think that was key. They really jumped on us in the first quarter, but that was more our own offense than the defense. They just got out in the open court and we couldn’t get back. Then as we got better offensively, we were able to control the tempo.

(on Aaron being the guy): We have confidence in him. He’s going to make big shots. It did not surprise me that he made those shots down the stretch because he has the ability and he’s always done that his whole career in college and now.

Like I said before the game, this is unchartered territory for us because we have Yao inside, but what are we going to run in the fourth quarter? Because we haven’t had this group together. It was always Yao and Tracy, so we’re trying to find out what we can do and the more we have games like this, and especially with a little bit of success, the better we’re going to be.

YAO MING

(On importance of the win) “We are gaining confidence for a new teammate and we are gaining confidence for us. First of all we cannot lose a home game. This year we have lost too many home games. This is a good opportunity for us to win some games and we need to let our new teammates play. Winning games always gives you confidence.”

(On the play of Aaron Brooks) “He made big shots and also he did very well on Jason Kidd. I think he played to his strengths very well.”

LUIS SCOLA

(On the importance of the game) “It was a huge game for us. If you look at the record, if we would have lost, they would have picked up on us but we won and opened up a window between the two of us. We guaranteed at least we will be tied, a tie breaker, if we finish with the same record, so it is a huge game for us. After the trade and finding out when Tracy wasn't going to play and all the things we are going through, this is an effort victory and a fighting victory and we needed it.”

(On the difference between intensity of the 1st and 2nd half) “We came back fighting and even though we made mistakes, we were fighting. That is pretty much what we did tonight, fight. We eventually are going to get better sooner or later. We'll see what happens.”

(on defending Dirk): When you wake up and realize you have to play defense against these type of guys – Dirk, Garnett, Duncan, Stoudemire – you kind need a little luck on your side because when those guys get it going, there’s not very much you can do. So you play hard, try to play physical with them, make them feel uncomfortable and make then do what they don’t like to do so that, hopefully, when they take their shots they miss a couple right in the beginning and everything is easier. If he would have made those two or three first shots that he took, it probably would have been a whole different night. So you need a little luck and you need a whole team effort to back you up.

SHANE BATTIER

(On the Rockets 3rd quarter turnaround) “I think we settled down. We were all a little anxious early on and we tried to cram fifty games of chemistry into two quarters of basketball. We were all a little nervous and it showed out there. Once we settled down, we came out and played much better defense. Some of the shots they were making in the first half fell a little short and we were able to make a run there. It was a great way to respond from a sub par first half.”

(On the play of Aaron Brooks) “A.B. was the same this morning at shootaround – just a wisecracking guy – and that speaks to his maturity. I thought he played great. Everyone will remember the big shots that he hit but he did a great job of just pushing the ball.”

RON ARTEST

(On the importance of the win) “It was a good game. We played like veterans tonight.. I was really impressed and proud of the young point guards because they led us to victory. We were down 16 (points) and they stayed poised and along with the veterans, those point guards led us to victory.”

(On the play of Kyle Lowry) “We played against him and he was always tough and now we've got him on our team and it makes it that much better to know that you've got a guy like that on our team. It was bad enough that we had Yao attacking, now we have a point guard that can get in there whenever he wants to and we have Von who can get in there anytime he wants and me who can get in there anytime I want. It's going to make it harder for the other team and he is going to take a lot of pressure off of us.”

AARON BROOKS

(On his first game as a starter post-trade) “Everybody welcomed me as far as the starting role and everybody had their feedback trying to help me through this game. I felt good out there and it wasn't about me. We all just went out there and played hard and we did it together. Our intensity is what won this game.”

(On the Rockets coming back from an early deficit) “We had to keep things in perspective. Dallas, they always start off on a run to begin the game. That's just what they do. That's their make up. It got to the point where they got off to a good run and we had to keep in our mind that they are a good beginning team but not only that, but we were shooting ourselves in the foot. We were making bad plays and turned the ball over. We knew that if we could just control the ball then we would be alright. We were lucky we were only down 7 points (at half time).”

(on taking the big shots late in the game): I still want to get the ball the Yao; that’s definitely our first priority late in the game. It’s just the shot clock was winding down, Yao came over for a screen and I took the shot.

(on stepping out on the court tonight): “It’s been going through my mind ever since [Rafer] got traded. I mean, right when I find out it’s kind of like it was a dream. I woke up and was like, ‘Did he really get traded?’ You come to the gym and you don’t see him here and it’s kind of unreal. But once you step out there, you’ve just got to go out there and play.

(on confidence being the starter now): I think it just slows me down a little bit. I had a couple plays where I was going to fast and made bad plays but I think if I just slow down and play my game and just relax [things will be fine]. We did a good job as a team. Luis hit a bunch of clutch shots, Yao was big and our defense won this game today.

(on the high screens on the final possession): On the last one, I was hoping [the defender] would go under because I think I drove the one before that and got blocked, so I was hoping he would go under and he did exactly what he wanted and I got an open shot.

(on the sensation of it going in): It was a good shot (laughs). I was just relieved that it went in. It felt so good to get this first win as we transition.

KYLE LOWRY

I’m just happy to be here and help this team win. I can’t wait to get myself acclimated and just be a part of the team; just getting used to everything. I can’t wait.

MAVS COACH RICK CARLISLE

(on the game) “Our undoing was the third quarter. We had seven turnovers and we only shot 35%. We battled back in the fourth quarter and I loved our effort but we dug too big of a hole. Both teams played tough and physical.”

(on his team’s play) “These games are all meaningful now. We are in the stretch run and we have to learn it is a 48 minute game and nothing else will get the job done.”

(on the Rockets new look without McGrady) “They’re really a good team. McGrady is a great player but they’ll be plenty tough without him.”

BRANDON BASS

(on the game) “They had us on our heels in the third quarter. The third quarter hurt us. You only get Dirk shooting like that (4-18) once a year. Now it is out of his system.”

JASON KIDD

(on the key to the game) “Turnovers hurt us in the second half and Houston came out very aggressive and took over the game. It got away from us defensively and then we turned the ball over and they made their shots and we didn’t.”

(on Aaron Brooks play) “He can shoot and he really pushes the ball up the court. He loves to take big shots and he will really help their team.”

JOSH HOWARD

(on the key to the game ) “It was the third quarter when we couldn’t respond to their run and we had too many turnovers. Turnovers were big and that gave them momentum. J.J.(Barea) had a big game for us and it helped us fight our way back.”

(on the Mavericks) “It’s down to nut cutting time and we have to keep playing hard every game. We are a playoff bound team and we’ll be there at the end.”

JOSE BAREA

(on the game) “We had a good first half but Houston came out aggressively in the third quarter and took over the game. Seven turnovers in the third quarter after only three first half turnovers and that made the difference.”

(on Brooks) “Aaron Brooks is going to be a great player. I’m really a big fan of his and with this opportunity he can take his game to another level.”

NOTES

Tonight’s attendance of 18,195 marks the 15th sellout of the season at Toyota Center.

With a 93-86 win over Dallas, the Rockets have captured their last six outings at Toyota Center (1/31/09-2/20/09). Houston’s season-best home winning streak stands at seven consecutive games (11/29/08-12/27/08). The Rockets are now 18-3 (.857) over their last 21 outings at Toyota Center, which is the second-best home winning percentage in the NBA since Nov. 29 behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers at 15-1 (.938).

Houston snapped a four-game home losing streak to the Mavericks by returned from a 16-point deficit for the victory tonight. It marked Houston’s largest deficit overcome in a win this season. The previous best by the Rockets was erasing a 15-point deficit in the second quarter en route to a 107-90 win vs. Minnesota (2/7/09).

The Rockets held the Mavericks to an opponent season-low 13 third-quarter points (6-17 FG). The previous low was 14 points in the third quarter by New York at Houston (1/10/09).

Houston took a 50-38 (+12) edge off the glass tonight, giving the Rockets a double-digit rebounding differential in three straight games (42-29 on 2/11/09 and 56-30 on 2/17/09).

Yao Ming finished with 22 points (8-16 FG, 6-6 FT), 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. Luis Scola added 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-6 FT), 15 boards and two steals tonight. The duo has now posted double-doubles in each of the last three games. The three consecutive double-doubles for Scola marks a career best within a single season.

Aaron Brooks had 19 points (7-15 FG, 3-5 3FG), six rebounds and eight assists tonight. Brooks is now averaging 14.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his eight starts this season.

Ron Artest posted 17 points (2-4 3FG), seven rebounds, four assists and three steals tonight. Artest now has three or more steals in 10 games this season.

Kyle Lowry, who made his Rockets debut tonight, had six points, three boards and two assists.

Josh Howard notched 21 points (9-19 FG, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds. Howard, who was inactive for the last meeting at Houston (11/19/08), had 28 points (11-19 FG) at Dallas (10/30/08).

Jose Juan Barea recorded a career-high 26 points (10-17 FG) behind a career-best five 3-pointers made (5-8 3FG). Barea’s previous highs were 25 points and four pointers made vs. Sacramento (11/3/07).

Dirk Nowitzki had nine points (4-18 FG, 1-1 FT) and 11 rebounds tonight. Nowitzki has yet to miss from the free throw line against the Rockets this season (24-24 FT).

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