By now, they said, they know better. No argument here. They always start like this. Their casual approach to defense in the first minutes has routinely allowed opponents to launch fast starts, allowing them to shoot with a lead and confidence.
Teams warm up with layup lines.
Since Hakeem Olajuwon went out, the Rockets have allowed opponents to get hotter with a few easy layups in the first minutes. Inside the numbers Steve Francis passed to Maurice Taylor for a fast-break slam in the first minute of the second half. The Clippers might be rebuilt with young talent, but it was not the kids that beat the Rockets. But he made just three of 15 shots. Francis and Cuttino Mobley outscored the rest of the team, 51-41.