Houston’s Slim Conference Title Hopes Slimmer

Sat., March 15, 1997

Associated Press

The Houston Rockets’ hope to be the top seed in the NBA Western Conference may be only that - hope.

As the regular season headed into the home stretch, the Rockets trailed conference-leading Utah by four games. Each has 18 games left.

The reality of the situation makes Wednesday’s last-second one-point loss to Orlando even tougher for the Rockets to handle.

“That’s why games like that are so frustrating,” Houston’s Mario Elie said. “We’re right there in the race, battling for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

“That’s what hurts when you lose a game you feel you should win. We were gaining ground on Utah, then we lose a game like that.”

Houston trails the Los Angeles Lakers by percentage points and Seattle by two games.

The SuperSonics, leaders in the Pacific Division, are without Detlef Schrempf while the Lakers appear vulnerable without Shaquille O’Neal. That could pave the way for Houston to climb to at least No. 2 in the West.

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Houston’s Slim Conference Title Hopes Slimmer

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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