"Whether it was the intention to second guess Kevin McHale and his staff or not, whether it was just pride covering for an atrocious defensive performance, Rockets guards Kyle Lowry and Courtney Lee said the Rockets failed to 'make adjustments."

The translation was that the coaches let them down. And the accusation came with Rick Adelman, the coach they wanted to have back this season, sitting down the hall in the visiting locker room with a fresh 120-108 butt-kicking of his former team."