Rockets making do; Cavs on top

A superstar goes down, the team plays better. Wait ... this sounds familiar.

The Rockets' recent surge without Tracy McGrady isn't exactly like the 10-0 run they went on once Yao Ming went down last season (they already had won 12 straight games when Yao was lost for the year), but there are similarities. With McGrady gone, the Rockets have revamped their offense behind speedy point guards Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry while pairing Ron Artest and Shane Battier together for a formidable defensive presence. The results speak for themselves: Houston has won seven of its last eight games without T-Mac and is giving up just 88.3 points per game.

Knowing McGrady's season is over has helped the Rockets settle into roles.

"Tracy really impacted how we play on both ends," general manager Daryl Morey said. "Having him be in and out daily was a big challenge for the coaching staff."

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"It's always hard when you don't know if one of your best players is going to be in or out of your lineup," said Nets coach Lawrence Frank, whose team lost to the McGrady-less Rockets on Feb. 17. "There was closure. Everyone moves forward because they know he's not going to be there."

(All stats and records are through Sunday.)

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