D’Antoni downplays marks
SAN ANTONIO — Though the Rockets could long assume they would finish with the NBA’s top record, when the Toronto Raptors' loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday clinched it, along with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, it was a milestone coach Mike D’Antoni was willing to briefly appreciate.
They not only have the best record in franchise history, they are the first Rockets team to finish with the league’s best record.
The 50 seasons in which they did not have the best record in the NBA was the secondlongest span in league history, according to Elias.
Only the Hawks, with 68 years in which they did not have the NBA’s best record, had a longer streak.
“We’ve been on track to do some great things,” D’Antoni said. “We did that. It means not a whole lot.
“At the time, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. We’re not celebrating or anything. It’s nice, but it’s no big deal.”
Extreme caution concerning Paul
Guard Chris Paul sat out for the fourth time in five games Sunday, a 100-83 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, with the Rockets holding him out with a sore left leg.
But Paul said he has no concerns about having enough time, with five games left, to be ready for the start of the postseason April 14 or 15.
“Not at all,” Paul said. “I figure, I know how to play this game.
“I don’t think about it. Whatever the situation, I’m cool.”
Coach Mike D’Antoni said the Rockets have no doubt Paul will be ready with enough game time to be sharp at the start of the playoffs.
“He picks it up pretty quick,” D’Antoni said. “He takes care of himself.
“The last time he was out for a long time, he looked really good coming back.”
Paul wanted to play Sunday, but D’Antoni said the Rockets’ position is that if there is any question about his readiness, there is no question they will hold him out.
“Until it’s 100, 100, 100 percent we’re not going to do it,” D’Antoni said. “He’s not quite there, but looking very good for Tuesday night.
“But if it’s not, it’s Thursday. We’re erring on the side of caution.”
Tucker takes words to heart
Rockets forward P.J. Tucker, watching as Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw took a frightening fall Saturday, turned to his teammates and said that when helpless in the air as McCaw was, players must turn to land any way other than how McCaw did. A day later, he did. McCaw had to be taken from the court on a stretch, diagnosed Sunday with a lumbar spine contusion.
Tucker on Sunday went up for a rebound only to have the San Antonio Spurs’ Patty Mills get under him, sending Tucker into a similarly dangerous fall. But Tucker turned in time to land on his right hip.
In pain, Tucker grabbed the ball and slammed it to the court, but stayed in the game.
“That was crazy,” Tucker said after a long therapy session after the game. “We saw it. I told guys ‘When it happens, you try to spin in the air when you know you can’t get your feet under you so you can fall on your side or your front.’ It’s always hard because it’s so fast. We just talked about it last night and it happened to me today.
“Chris (Paul) said, ‘It was crazy. You did exactly what you said.’ ”
Tucker said Mills might have said something to him at the time, but he wasn’t sure.
“I wasn’t listening,” Tucker said. “I don’t know what he said, but it was a bad play. But you know, play on.”
Tucker said he was worried he could have been injured “at first,” but did not expect to miss any time. Since returning to the NBA in 2012, Tucker has played in 478 games, the most in the lead.
“Once we came back (to the locker room), I knew it was my hip, my pelvis a little bit,” Tucker said. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be back Tuesday.
“It’s sore. I’ll be OK.”