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Anup Shah of Rockets Buzz was kind enough to meet us At Center Court.

48MoH: The Rockets are an impressive 7-3 in their last 10, and against a tough schedule. There is a sense in which this team plays better without Tracy McGrady. I know you’ve heard it before, but what gives?

RB: Not only are the Rockets 7-3 in their last 10, but they’ve won 15 of 19 since that crazy week in which T-Mac left and Rafer Alston was traded. As far as talent goes, this team is not better without McGrady. You can’t replace a talent like McGrady. But with T-Mac out of the lineup, they play more as a team. Fans are so used to Mac handling the ball and creating shots for his teammates, but now people are getting to see what each of the players are actually capable of doing. Who knew Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer could put up the numbers they’ve been putting up? There’s so much unselfishness without Mac, I’m scared that certain players might get a little too unselfish (Yao know who I’m talking about). As long as the big man learns he needs to be in charge in the playoffs, I don’t see why they wouldn’t make it out of the first round.

48MoH: The Rockets stand a good chance of advancing to the 2nd round this season-without T-Mac. Funny, huh?

RB: Not surprising. There’s very little pressure this year on the team to make it out of the first round. Some fans mailed it in back when Mac said he was gone for the season. Also, the Rockets haven’t had any big streaks this year, but rather a series of shorter win streaks. Thus, they’ve flown under the radar in the league. So if they make it out of the first round, it wouldn’t surprise me. This is the most consistent Rockets team I’ve seen in a very, very long time.

48MoH: How important is passing the Spurs in the standings and securing the 2 seed?

RB: More important than you can imagine. A third or fourth seed would be disastrous because then there’s a good chance that the Rockets will face the Jazz in the first round. For some reason, the Jazz are the one team the Rockets can never match up with properly. If they land the second seed, the Rockets will face New Orleans, or Portland or Dallas - teams that I don’t think pose as much of a challenge as the Jazz. So in terms of potential first round matchup, getting the 2nd spot is crucial.

48MoH: What do you expect to see in today’s game?

RB: I think Yao will have a big game because there’s been more talk of needing to get him more involved in the offense. The Rockets are going to keep trying to pound it in to him - a lot more than they did last week. I also see Von Wafer having a big game because Wafer has stepped up in big games this season. My prediction: Rockets by 7.

Stop by Rockets Buzz during the game for a live chat.