PRO BASKETBALL — February 21

HOUSTON at NEW ORLEANS
(Hornets -1.5, Total 201) — [private] The Rockets used Kevin Martin extensively in his first game with the team, and he responded with a 3-for-16 performance from the field. It’s going to rocky fitting the great scorer into the Houston lineup, because he really needs to be the focal point to be effective. The Rockets have been ice cold against the number, covering just five of their last 21 games. They’ve made an incredible 39 three-pointers in the last three games, on 53% shooting, but it does appear that they are getting overly reliant on the three-pointer. Sometimes those shots don’t fall, and when they hit just four of 22 against Miami before the break, they scored a grand total of 66 points. One of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this season has been the way rookie point guard Darren Collison has filled in for the injured Chris Paul, as he’s averaged 23.6 ppg in the last five, 9.8 assists in the last eight, and recorded a triple double against Indiana in Friday’s win. Even David West is getting into the act; along with his 29 points he also had a career-high seven assists against the Pacers.

THE PLAY: NEW ORLEANS -1.5 ****

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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