| |
|
|
 Chillin' with the hot hand CNN/SI's Vince Cellini talks to Allan Houston after Gm. 3
Posted: Sunday June 27, 1999 07:17 PM
SAN ANTONIO (CNN/SI) -- Allan Houston was there all night long for the New York Knicks. After scoring a game-high 34 points in the Knicks' Game 3 win, he sat down with CNN/SI's Vince Cellini. VC: Allan, talk about your mindset coming in down 2-0. AH: We really learned from Game 1 and Game 2. Game 2 more so because we felt we put ourselves in a good position to win the game. But we didn't make shots and we didn't get to the free-throw line. So we wanted to get to our spots on offense a little bit better and still attack the basket. We knew if we made shots, we knew things would turn out better. But the key is trying to play solid defense against this team. Fortunately, we were able to do that and do the best job we could on the "Twin Towers" but at the same time, try to get to the perimeter guys. VC: For the first time in this series, it was a Spurs' starter that gets in early foul trouble. Mario Elie picked up two quick fouls and that seemed to be some sort of chain reaction and allowed you to do some things against Jaren Jackson. AH: It was definitely a key early when I was able to be effective and get the ball in the post. That helped get me and the rest of the team with some early free throws. That always helps offensively also. VC: Marcus Camby comes in and starts for you. He gets two quick fouls and doesn't score much, but it seemed that the fact that he was in the starting lineup energized everybody. AH: Just having those guys in there -- [Latrell] Sprewell and Marcus -- they change the game because of their energy. No matter what, whoever we started, we had to come out with a lot of energy in order to give ourselves a chance to have a good start. We got off to a good start and I think that helped us. VC: Even when the team went into a dry spell in the third quarter shooting-wise, you finally step up again. How do you know when you are going to have one of these nights? AH: I just really wanted to take my time, but when I got the ball still be aggressive. It's a fine line and I'm learning how to do it more. But I try to use every ounce of God-given ability that you have. That's all I try to do. VC: Looking ahead to Game 4 -- and this has to be a tremendous lift to your team -- you know if you come out here and work hard from top to bottom, you know you have a chance. And suddenly, it's amazing how the series has changed now at 2-1. AH: I don't think anyone expected us to even win a game. We have a tremendous belief in ourselves. At this time, we're just looking to try to improve. We've had trouble moving on to the next game when we win. Now we have to learn to play with prosperity instead of with our backs to the wall.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
