Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305220194
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SEATTLE LENGTH: Medium
It's a tale of two cities.
When the Seattle SuperSonics and the Houston Rockets finally settle their Western Conference semifinal series today, the deciding factor may be the homecourt advantage. Neither team has been able to win on the road.
The Rockets sent the series back to the Seattle Coliseum for the winner-take-all game with a 103-90 victory Thursday night.
"I'll tell you, it's going to be different," Seattle's Shawn Kemp said. "Much different."
"It's a crazy series," said Houston's Otis Thorpe.
The Rockets captured Games 3, 4 and 6 in Houston by 18, 11 and 13 points. Seattle won Games 1, 2 and 5 at home by nine, 11 and 25 points.
Except for geography, not much separates the clubs, each of whom won 55 regular-season games. The Sonics earned the homecourt advantage by beating Houston three out of four times during the regular season.
In Game 6, Houston's Kenny Smith scored 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting. And he missed his first two shots. But until then, Smith hadn't been a major factor in the series, averaging 14.5 points.
"This series has taken on a pattern," Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We have to change it."
Despite their road woes, the Rockets believe in themselves, too. Having Hakeem Olajuwon on your side will do that. In the series, he is averaging 23.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks. And he's playing 41.7 minutes a game.
"It's just a matter of who wants it the most," Thorpe said.
One player who's been giving the Sonics a hard time is a member of the team. Eddie Johnson, who has been Seattle's top offensive threat off the bench, is averaging only 9.2 points and shooting just 32.8 percent (22 for 67).
During the regular season, Johnson averaged 14.4 points, and he averaged 18.4 points for the Sonics in the playoffs last season.
The winner of today's game will play in Phoenix on Monday and Wednesday nights.
by CNB