Carlisle Steals the Show, Outscores Sampson

October 11, 1984

CARLISLE STEALS SHOW; CELTICS WIN, 124-105

This town has been good to the Celtics. A couple of youngsters named Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn developed their skills near the shores of the muddy Blackstone River and went on from Holy Cross to enjoy years of green glory in Boston.

The Celtics gave a little back last night - treating Central Mass. legions to one of the more attractive matchups on Boston's preseason barnstoming tour: a date with ex-Celtic czar Bill Fitch and his World Trade Center Houston Rockets.



To the delight of 10,683 loyalists, an unknown rookie guard named Rick Carlisle paced the Celtics to a 124-105 conquest of the young Rockets. Carlisle, a collegiate teammate of Ralph Sampson, torched Houston for 18 points (8 of 10 from the floor), 5 assists and 4 rebounds before bowing out to a standing ovation. He outscored Sampson by six points.

Winning was secondary. This was a night for Carlisle's coming-out party and a sneak preview of The Sequoia Experiment.

The Sequoia Experiment involves the pairing of Houston's 7-foot centers, Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon. The unique and infinitely intriguing combination is guaranteed to create chaos in frontcourts from Boston to Portland, Ore. But it's up to Fitch to make sure the Rockets aren't more confused than everyone else.

Houston has a long way to go. The Rockets were thrashed by the Spurs (125-95) in their exhibition opener, and demonstrated an abysmal halfcourt offense last night. But make no mistake: they are loaded with youth and talent, and should sell tons of tickets.

Olajuwon (18 points) jumped center but was guarded by Kevin McHale most of the night. Sampson played on the wing and out top, taking Robert Parish with him.

Olajuwon gave the Worcesterites a thrill in the first four minutes. The ex-soccer goaltender scored Houston's first eight points, grabbed five rebounds, and three times converted missed shots into dunks.

Sampson played the entire first quarter, but made only two of seven shots and managed only one rebound. Thanks to 10-point quarters by both Danny Ainge and Larry Bird, Boston led, 35-23, after one.

Houston's twin towers didn't come back until the second half, which started with the Celtics leading, 66-53. The pair appeared more comfortable, but Houston kept getting burned by Celtics sneakaways.

The visitors' lowlight came when the Rockets couldn't exploit a Ronnie Williams vs. Sampson matchup. Guarded by a man 10 inches shorter, Sampson went about four minutes without getting the ball, then settled for a 15-foot jumper - which missed. The Celtics led, 98-81, after three, and coasted in the fourth.

Ainge (8 for 9 from the floor) and Bird were Boston's more impressive regulars. Second-year center Greg Kite showed considerable improvement, and Carlisle was easily K.C. Jones' most pleasant surprise of the evening. The Celtics and Rockets play again tomorrow night in the Garden.

A local power outage blacked out the Centrum until 35 minutes before game time. Fortuntely, there was enough auxiliary power for the players to use the court for early shooting practice . . . Bay State Bombardiers coach Dave Cowens attended the game and would undoubtedly like to have a couple of the Celtics' castaways . . . Quinn Buckner was the only Celtic who did not play . . . The Rockets are in town until Saturday, and will practice at Hellenic College in Brookline today . . . Celtics general manager Jan Volk spoke with Gerald Henderson's agent, Scott Lang, yesterday, but said, "Nothing was accomplished. I wouldn't read anything into it." . . . Bill Fitch vehemently denies that the Rockets ever considered signing Henderson.