The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 11

THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1994 B3 BELOW THE RIM Rockets shoot for first trip to league finals since '86 "0rT'" a giving Utah an extra eight seconds. "We've played defense for 24 seconds before. We Just had to do it again in that case," Kenny Smith said. "If I had a choice, I'd rather be on defense and ahead by one than on offense and down by one." .1 Tom Chambers eventually missed a 4-footer, Houston got the loose ball and the clock ran out. "It was a scary situation, and I'm thankful it didn't cause overtime or a loss because we would have had to go through some controversy," Tomjanovlch said.

One of the key moves defensively in Game 4 was putting Olajuwon on Karl Malone, who was ineffective when he had to contend with a 7-footer in his face. Olajuwon had five blocked shots, and Malone scored only four of his 25 points on field goals when he was guarded by Olajuwon. In Game 5, Tomjanovlch said, the Rockets can expect some similar type of curveball from the Jazz. "They might press, they've got to be Jumpy with their defense, but we know what they'll do offensively," the coach said. That kind of assuredness was evident from the players, too.

"There's so much confidence in our locker room that you can feel it." Robert Horry said. "We feel In our hearts and minds that we will win it." "The main thing is to get this one out of the way. They know that we're looking to close things out," Thorpe said. of the playoffs, scoring 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting. "If we play the same type of defense as we did out there, and we'll be playing at home instead of on the road, that's going to be dinner at home," Otis Thorpe said.

The Rockets led by at least six "they might press, they've got to be jumpy with their defense, but we know what they'll do offensively." Rudy Tomjanovlch Houston Rockets coach in the final quarter until the last 2 minutes when Utah capitalized on Houston's mistakes and made a charge that almost sent the game into overtime. First, Olajuwon attempted a layup with about 20 seconds left when he probably should have passed so Houston could run down the clock. He missed the shot, Utah rebounded and John Stockton made a 3-pointer to draw the Jazz within two. Then Sam Cassell got called for an offensive foul as Houston tried to inbound, although replays appeared to show Stockton pulling Cassell down but making it look like Cassell pushed off. "I don't think that should have been the call," Cassell said Monday.

"It should have been a no-call. They should let the players decide the outcome of the game." Utah had 13.5 seconds to try to tie it or go ahead, only the clock operator forgot to start the clock, Associated Press Houston The mood was relaxed at the Houston Rockets' practice Monday, which is about what would be expected from a team that got what it wanted at least one victory from its four-day trip to Utah. The Rockets salvaged Game 4 of the best-of-7 series Sunday by hanging on despite their mistakes and a timekeeper's error near the end of an 80-78 victory that gave them a 3-1 lead. A victory tonight would put the Rockets in the finals for the first time since 1986. As they assembled at Rice University for practice, there were a few games of H-O-R-S-E, a little horsing around, some planning for an afternoon barbeque.

There was nothing to suggest that this team. Just one game away from the NBA finals, was nervous about its situation. "We tend to always have loose practices. We'll elect different players general managers, have a lottery and pick different teams each time," Coach Rudy Tomjano-vich said. If there was one overriding theme in interviews with the coaches and players, it was that the defense the Rockets played in Game 4 had to carry over to Game 5.

Houston held Utah to 21 points in the first quarter, 10 in the second and 19 in the third to carry a 10-point lead Into the fourth quarter. The defensive effort was especially important because Hakeem Olajuwon struggled through his worst offensive game Game 6 of the series. After Sunday's 80-78 victory, Houston heads home with a 3-1 lead In the best-of-7 series. "We'll review what happened and make a determination on what to do. But it would be unlikely that he would work a Game 6 If there is one," NBA vice president Brian Mclntyre said.

"I just got caught up in the game," said Hicken, the Jazz timekeeper since the team moved from New Orleans to Utah In 1979. fa V. 1 5 1-7 Associated Press Duke University basketball oach Mike Krzyzewskl scheduled news conference for this morn-ng that should settle rumors bout whether he plans to leave he Blue Devils for the NBA. The university's sports informa-lon director, Mike Cragg, could ot provide de- Iw3A All I can NOTEBOOK VUU IS LUC ews confer- nce Is al uke," he said londav night. I In its Tues-ay editions, 'he Herald-Sun of Durham re-orted two sources at the school aid Krzyzewskl would be staying It 1 1 K.

Indiana's Kenny Williams Krzyzewski i slam dunks over the Knicks' Anthony may reveal fiiture plans today LUBE, OIL, FILTER TUNE UP COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE UP TO 5 QTS GM AC SPARK PLUGS, P.C.V. JMOST 6 CYL. GM CARS Exp. 6-11-94 at Duke. Krzyzewskl met Monday with athletic director Tom Butters and school president Nan Keohane.

Butters confirmed the meeting took place, but wouldn't say whether Krzyzewskl was going or staying. "I have not talked to Mike about his decision today," Butters told the newspaper. Krzyzewskl prompted much speculation after tersely announcing last week he was considering leaving the Blue Devils, whom he coached to consecutive national championships. Although he didn't indicate where his search was taking him, all signs pointed to the NBA, particularly to the Portland Trail Blazers, who fired their coach, and the Miami Heat, who haven't. 3930 GEORGETOWN RD.

i 4 5S Star Staff Photo Patrick Schneider Mason. But many have said a transition to the NBA would be difficult. It's such a simple concept An NBA timekeeper has to remember one simple thing: Start the clock when the ball is put In play. Utah Jazz timekeeper Wayne Hicken didn't do that, and he picked the worst time to forget right at the end of a tight playoff game. Hicken waited at least eight seconds to start the game clock when play resumed with 13.5 seconds left in Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference playoffs.

Hicken's oversight didn't end up making much of a difference in the. game, but It nonetheless may have cost him his Job, if there is a 1990 TUESDAY, MAY 31st 4 to 8 THURSDAY, JUNE 2nd 4 to 8 GREENWOOD 275 Stale Rd 135 12 Mile S. ol Supreme Orchard GoH Center 888-3010 i4f, to $1 0995 GOOD WRENCH OIL UP TO 2 GAL. COOLANT MUST PRESENT COUPON WRITE UPjj 299-5555 Qualifying Speed: 226.259 it si dwve mmy 6W3 guy fa W3 mmQMSl Featuring BIG BERTHA METAL BIG BERTHA IRONS WOODS WAR BIRD SOLEPLATE 13 If mm 1 V' Average BANKEONE INDIANAPOLIS 50l ROOKIE of the YEAR Congratulations FACTORY REP toWEL purinNGX raEWARBIrX Jacques ViUeneuve Winner of the 1994 Bank One Rookie of the Year Award. with CONTEST RAFFLE TICKET LtcA each tew PURCHASy STORE AT EACH STOREj NORTHEAST B326CastWon Comer Or NexttoSalyan's 841-7513 NORTHWEST 39W 86th St.

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