"The Rockets did not get the win Wednesday night. Kyle Lowry did not break through or leave his shooting slump behind. But the changes were obvious.

They played much better, even in blowing a 19-point lead against the Spurs, than they had in the defensive debacle against the Timberwolves. But as the Rockets await one more home game, tonight against the Suns, before taking off on their longest road trip of the season, the changes go beyond improved defense or effort.

The finger-pointing and second-guessing that followed Monday's loss were gone. The video session was shorter and nowhere near as painful."