Rockets-Nuggets: Houston Brings Surging Denver Down to Earth

On Monday, Rockets' fans got some insight into how dangerous the team can be when their "Big Three" are all healthy and confident.

After being down 61-56 at halftime, the Rockets' defense stepped up and outscored the Nuggets, 52-35. Under the Tracy McGrady/Yao Ming regime, most Rockets' fans are used to second half or fourth quarter collapses. The addition of Ron Artest is seemingly turning that around.

Although it's true that the Rockets have had some fourth quarter meltdowns this season, most of those were suffered at less than full strength. Which makes it even more impressive that this was done against the Nuggets, who were 15-4 after the acquisition of Chauncey Billups. 

Things to take from the game

• Tracy McGrady's rest seems to have helped him get back to almost full strength, and is playing with confidence I haven't seen since last season. He recorded a triple double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. The 14 rebounds seem to indicate his knee is getting better.
• The offense ran through Yao Ming in the second half and for most of the game, which is where it needs to go. Yao is an underrated passer from the block, and Adelman is quickly figuring out that the key to offensive success is through his big man. He scored 32 points and was assertive on the block, as Denver has no one who can stop him
• With a decimated backcourt, Aaron Brooks elevated his game against a top-five perimeter defender and scorer. Brooks not only had 18 points and six assists against Billups, but he also held Billups to eight points on 3-10 shooting. Billups was trying to post up Brooks all game, but Brooks battled and made Billups look like the second-year player, pushing him out of the paint and being in his face for every shot. 
  
• Adelman may be on to something in having Artest come off the bench. With Artest struggling to make shots and to co-exist with the star power on the team, maybe a few weeks with the second unit will get his confidence back. People in Houston have been calling for this since Shane Battier came back and has been shooting well, and Adelman has answered the call.

The Rockets are finally getting close to full strength, and I fully expect them to make a run. As fans, we can only speculate as to how long they will remain healthy.