Celtics have Rockets Number

April 10, 1980

CELTICS CONTINUE HEX OVER ROCKETS

The record is 0 wins, and lots of losses....and nobody has to tell the Houston Rockets why they have been unable to beat the Celtics this season. "We're not nervous," said veteran Rocket guard Calvin Murphy. "This isn't our first playoff game. We've been at it for a week already.



"It's just that all year long, we've been playing the Celtics from behind. The thing we have to do is go ahead and make them play our game." The final score was Boston 119, Houston 101. And, in many ways, the game was a throwback to 1974-75, when the Celtics posted a 123-106 blowout in the opener of a playoff series, which Boston won in five games.

It was a similar score, yet the Rockets did give a hint that they are capable of causing a few problems, particularly if they get away with the same kind of aggressive, physical play that was the hallmark of the Celtics' victory. "I'll always consider it a one-point victory," said Celtic coach Bill Fitch. "They got that close and we held on to win." But it really wasn't a one-point victory. Since the Celtics nearly blew a 19-point lead, it cannot diminish the fact they came right back and won it with an imaginative offense, based largely on movement, and a stingy defense that produced 23 turnovers that were turned into 31 points.

Murphy recalls the turning point well. Boston had missed a shot while leading, 69-68, and Houston had the ball. "We just relaxed too much," said Murphy. "I mean we had a chance to take the lead and should have set up a play. But we went for the opportunity basket and missed, and Boston took off again. They got the next several points off turnovers. We know how to beat that kind of overplaying defense. It was just carelessness."

During the regular season, it was difficult to overlook the fact that the Celtics had great success against the Rockets because they were able to frustrate Moses Malone with either Dave Cowens or Rick Robey. Malone got 27 points and 13 rebounds. Although he may have bumps and bruises today, he wasn't stopped from doing his thing inside whenever his teammates got the ball to him.

But that was the key. By overplaying the passing lanes, sagging the middle and putting on pressure any time a red shirt touched the ball, the Rockets simply made mistakes and played right into the Celtics' hands. "There is no question that we got behind because of the turnovers," said Houston coach Del Harris. "It wasn't that Boston was executing so well on its plays, it's just that we made the kind of turnovers that allowed them to fast break and get that big lead. We adjusted and got back into the ball game. But we made some more turnovers and they did it again."

Boston's defensive pressure and offensive movement was no accident. Fitch's secret practices during the 10-day layoff resembled his open scrimmages during training camp last fall. It was boot camp all over again, and the idea was to be in better condition and more aggressive than the Rockets.

In fact, the only time Fitch's troops were suspect was in the second quarter, when Houston cut a 19-point lead (59-40) to just five points (61-56). Most of the Rockets' run was against the Celtics' so-called second unit. But Fitch had his reasons for going with his bench. "What should I do," he said, "play the starting group for the entire game or until they fall out? That way we win tonight and forfeit Friday's game. Truthfully, I don't think I could have picked a better time than to go to my bench. You win a NBA championship with 11 players, not just five or six.

"I could feel what was happening when the lead dropped to 13 and I could have done something then. I did bring back (Cedric) Maxwell and (Larry) Bird at the end. But how are you going to build up confidence in your bench if you don't use it. No team has ever won a championship without a major contribution from the bench."

It was a fresh group of starters that were on the floor when the Celtics countered a surge by the Rockets. A hook shot by Cowens gave the Celtics some breathing room at 71-68. Chris Ford then warmed up for a nine-point string and Boston was ahead, 80-72. Cowens effectively finished off the Rockets by scoring eight of the first 10 points in the final quarter, giving the Celtics a 94-78 lead.

"We all know what is on the line," said Celtic guard Chris Ford. "We know we have to do it right now. This is a unique team and the guys are all unselfish. You may stop one or two guys for awhile, but somebody else will take up the slack. "The important thing about this victory is that this gives us the home court advantage. Do you know how important that is? Well, you can go 12-9 in the playoffs and still win an NBA championship. That's how important the home court is."