Rockets Tried to Run, But Result the Same

April 15, 1980

The Houston Rockets turned in desperation to a running game against the Celtics last night, and that's exactly how the Celtics made them look in the fourth and final game of this best-of-seven playoff series - desperate.

Counting the regular season, the Celtics beat the Rockets 10 straight times, but not until last night did the Rockets attempt to run with them.

"They had to do something different," said Cedric Maxwell after the series-clinching 138-121 victory. "After nine losses, wouldn't you change your strategy?

"The only thing is, that's our game. Because we're a good transition team and we have more depth, so we have fresh bodies coming out to help us. Also, we have a great point guard in Tiny (Archibald).

"We're always happy to see somebody try and run with us. I know Philly or Atlanta will try, and it will really be something. We've had trouble with both of them."

Maxwell was one of the chief beneficiaries of the fast pace last night, scoring 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field. Larry Bird benefited in kind, getting several fast-break buckets on his 13-for-20, 34-point night.

When the Rockets pulled into a tie at 68-68 early in the third quarter, the Celtics virtually ran them out of the game. Three of their next five baskets came off the fast break, with Bird getting a jumper and a layup, and Chris Ford getting a layup. Bird was involved in four of six baskets as the Celtics took an 80-70 lead, never to be seriously challenged thereafter.

"They tried to run with us," said Bird, "but when we are running like we can, we can outrun practically anybody."

Indeed, the Celtics made such short work of the Rockets, winning the four games by margins of 18, 20, 19 and 17 points, that they found themselves being asked if perhaps they won it too easily for their own good.

"I don't believe that for a moment," said coach Bill Fitch. "This was close enough. I think we learned as much in this as we could winning a seven- game series with Philly. You don't have to win every game by two or three poins to learn something. We had enough pressure points of one or two points. There was enough aggravation and enough nitpicking situations.

"I'll take the extra days' rest over anything people think we might have gotten out of a five-, six- or seven-game series. Hopefully, somewhere down the line, if we get down by two or three games, we'll know what it feels to be on the other side. We can think about the pressure we would have had on us here if we had lost this game."

The bottom line, as Fitch said, might very well be the rest resulting from the sweep. If Philadelphia beats Atlanta tonight, the next series will start Friday at the Garden, and the Celtics will be the fresher of the two teams.

"I think the rest is very important to this team," said Maxwell. "Dave (Cowens) has a bad back, and rest is the only thing that can help it. I think one of the reasons we did so well is the 10-day rest we had after the season.

"I never figured we'd sweep them down here. I thought we'd split and have to go back to Boston. We'll take it, though. It's a good feeling."