"It's going to be a huge game," Rockets guard Goran Dragic said. (Mayra Beltran/Chronicle)
As Rockets guard Goran Dragic joined the Suns’ Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Jared Dudley for dinner on Thursday, they talked about their times together in Phoenix, kidded Dragic about his new fame and talked about soccer.
The Suns veterans also left Dragic with a message.
“They were teasing me a bit that they have to win this game, but I told them, ‘We have to clinch that playoffs,’ †Dragic said. “It’s going to be huge game. They want to make playoffs. We want to make playoffs. Two really tough teams. Who is going to be more focused on the court is going to win.â€
The Rockets returned to the Toyota Center main court Friday with a greater sense that this is a “huge game†than they had Tuesday, perhaps because of their game on Tuesday, when they returned to Houston after a four-game road trip sweep and did not show how they did it.
They did not care that ESPN was in town for the Rockets’ first-nationally televised appearance of the season, their first in Toyota Center since the 2009-10 season. Instead, there was a greater sense of must-win determination than they had on Tuesday.
“Two days ago, we came out flat,†Rockets guard Courtney Lee said. “Today, Sunday, all these games are must-win. These are teams trying to compete for the spot we have right now. They’re trying to take it from us. We have to compete.â€
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said he believed the Rockets were ready to battle Tuesday, but just did not play well. These are the sorts of games he said they have to learn to win. He had said last week that these experiences are needed to grow into the sort of team that wins in the playoffs. The next day, the Rockets beat the Lakers in Los Angeles. They face a similar opportunity for growth tonight, even if the emphasis was only on the scoreboard.
“We’re ready to go,†McHale said. “We have to go out. We have to compete. We have to take care of our business.
“There comes a time in a playoff series … where you got to win a game, you just have to win a game. You play enough playoff series, they’re going to have three wins at some point. You might have two wins. You might have one. There’s going to be a game if you don’t win, you’re done. That’s what every one of these games has to be like. We have to win this game.
“Playing meaningful games is really important for a team. Hopefully, this team will be together for a long time, play a lot of meaningful games. It starts now.â€
That much was clear when Dragic visited with his former teammates. He accepted their congratulations for his strong recent play, but said he intended to deliver more.
“They were happy for me,†Dragic said. “They told me they congratulate me. They told me to not go off tonight, but I said ‘I have to go off against you guys.’ â€
Scenes from the Rockets' games in April. Click SHOW CAPTION for more information.
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April 11: Jazz 103, Rockets 91
Rockets forward Luis Scola, right, passes the ball ahead of Utah's DeMarre Carroll during the second quarter of Wednesday night's game at Toyota Center. Scola finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, left, tries to control the ball after Jazz guard Devin Harris knocked it from him during the first quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Jazz forward Paul Millsap, left, and Rockets forward Luis Scola, right, scramble to the floor after the ball during the first quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Kyle Lowry, right, works to move around Utah's Alec Burks during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, left, works to move around Utah's Derrick Favors during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets center Marcus Camby, left, tries to rebound ahead of Utah's DeMarre Carroll during the third quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Utah's Paul Millsap, left, is fouled by Rockets forward Luis Scola during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, left, tips the ball away from Utah's Jamaal Tinsley during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic reacts to missing a 3-point shot during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Kyle Lowry protests a non-call during the third quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Kyle Lowry, left, passes the ball around Utah's Al Jefferson during the fourth quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Jazz forward Paul Millsap, left, and Rockets forward Luis Scola tangle over the ball during the first quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons, right, works to take ball around Utah's DeMarre Carroll during the first quarter. (Melissa Phillip / Chronicle)
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April 9: Rockets 94, Trail Blazers 89
Rockets guard Goran Dragic, right, looks to pass as Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge defends during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, right, from looks to pass against Trail Blazers guard Raymond Felton, left, and J.J. Hickson during the second half. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, right, celebrates with teammate Kyle Lowry after Monday's win. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Kyle Lowry reacts after he is called for a foul during the second half. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets coach Kevin McHale signals to the referee for a jump ball during the second half. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Luis Scola, left, shoots over Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Luis Scola tries to control the ball as he falls from being fouled during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Patrick Patterson, left, blocks a shot by Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge during the second half. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, left, looks to pass against Rockets center Marcus Camby during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, front, drives Rockets center Marcus Camby during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Rockets center Marcus Camby, right, complains to referee Ron Garretson during the first quarter. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Trail Blazers interim coach Kaleb Canales yells from the bench during the second half. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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April 8: Rockets 104, Kings 87
Rockets guard Courtney Lee, left, goes to the basket against Kings guard Jimmer Fredette during the first quarter of Sunday's game in Sacramento, Calif. Lee finished with a game-high 25 points. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Rockets center Marcus Camby, left, and Kings guard Tyreke Evans dive for the ball during the first quarter. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Courtney Lee, left, goes to the basket against Kings guard Jimmer Fredette, right, during the first quarter. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Kings guard Isaiah Thomas, center, drives to the basket between Rockets center Samuel Dalembert, left, and forward Luis Scola during the second half. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Kings forward Terrence Williams, right, shoots over Rockets center Samuel Dalembert, left, during the second half. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Kings guard Jimmer Fredette, left, shoots against Rockets guard Courtney Lee during the second half. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, left, steals the ball from Kings guard Tyreke Evans during the second half. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, right, is tripped and fouled by Rockets center Marcus Camby during the first quarter. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Chase Budinger, left, and Kings center DeMarcus Cousins battle for the ball during the first quarter. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons, left, catches a lob pass for the dunk over Kings guard Jimmer Fredette. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
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April 6: Rockets 112, Lakers 107
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Rockets forward Luis Scola (4) battle for possession in the first half of Friday night's game at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic heads to the basket past Lakers guard Ramon Sessions (7). (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Lakers forward Josh McRoberts throws down a dunk. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Los Angeles' Metta World Peace (15) scores on a layup in front of Courtney Lee. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Rockets forward Luis Scola (4), of Argentina, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16) fight for a loose ball in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Kobe Bryant reacts as he is fouled in front of Goran Dragic. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Paul Gasol scores on a dunk in front of Courtney Lee. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant scores in front of Courtney Lee (5) and Goran Dragic (3). (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Andrew Bynum reacts to a foul call. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Andrew Bynum slams home a dunk. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant dunks against the Rockets. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Andrew Bynum grabs a pass in front of Samuel Dalembert (21). (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Andrew Bynum leaves the game after being ejected with his second technical foul. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant scores in front of Marcus Camby (29) and Luis Scola (4). (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant misses a dunk as he is guarded by Chandler Parsons. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Metta World Peace speaks to Lakers coach Mike Brown during the game. (Harry How / Getty Images)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons (25) attempts to get by Los Angeles Lakers guard Ramon Sessions (7) on a fast break in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Lakers forward Metta World Peace (15) battles Rockets guard Courtney Lee in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic (3) drives on Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake (5) in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Rockets center Samuel Dalembert (21) dunks on Los Angeles Lakers forward Josh McRoberts (6) in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, tries to box out Rockets guard Courtney Lee (5) in the first half. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Los Angeles' Ramon Sessions (7) drives to the basket against Courtney Lee in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / McClatchy-Tribune News Service)
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Los Angeles's Andrew Bynum, left, flips a pass past Rockets defender Samuel Dalembert in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / McClatchy-Tribune News Service)
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The Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket against Luis Scola. (Robert Gauthier / McClatchy-Tribune News Service)
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The Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace (15) sneaks past Courtney Lee in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / McClatchy-Tribune News Service)
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The Los Angeles Lakers' Ramon Sessions (7) drives to the basket against Luis Scola (4) in the first half. (Robert Gauthier / McClatchy-Tribune News Service)
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April 2: Rockets 99, Bulls 93
Rockets guard Courtney Lee, right, blocks the shot of Bulls forward Carlos Boozer during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Bulls forward Taj Gibson tries to get off a shot against Rockets forward Patrick Patterson (54) and and center Marcus Camby. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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Rockets forward Chase Budinger passes the ball past Bulls center Joakim Noah during the second half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Courtney Lee falls out of bounds after colliding with Bulls forward Kyle Korver during the second half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Earl Boykins grabs Bulls guard John Lucas III during the second half. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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Rockets center Marcus Camby shoots over Bulls forward Carlos Boozer during the first half. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons lays in a shot during the win. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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Rockets center Marcus Camby rebounds against Bulls forward Taj Gibson during the first half. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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Bulls center Joakim Noah, left, ties up Rockets forward Luis Scola, resulting in a jump ball, during the second half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic, left, is fouled by Bulls guard C.J. Watson, as Dragic drives the lane during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets shooting guard Courtney Lee throws a pass away from Bulls shooting guard Ronnie Brewer during the first half. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)
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Rockets power forward Luis Scola defends against Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic (3) drives past Bulls guard C.J. Watson on a pick set by center Marcus Camby, during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets forward Luis Scola (4) shoots over Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (5), as center Marcus Camby watches during the second half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic drives between Bulls guard C.J. Watson (7) and center Joakim Noah during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) grabs a rebound next to Rockets center Marcus Camby during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Bulls center Omer Asik (3) tries to pull in a rebound between Rockets center Samuel Dalembert, left, and forward Patrick Patterson during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Bulls center Joakim Noah dunks over Rockets forward Luis Scola (4) as Richard Hamilton watches during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Bulls guard Richard Hamilton (32) shoots between Rockets center Marcus Camby (29) and guard Courtney Lee during the first half. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
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Luis Scola is greeted by teammates at a timeout late in the game. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
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April 1: Pacers 104, Rockets 102 (OT)
Rockets center Marcus Camby, right, steals the ball from Indiana's George Hill in the second half of Sunday's game at Toyota Center. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Courtney Lee tries to steal the ball from Indiana guard Paul George in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Pacers forward Danny Granger celebrates scoring in overtime. Granger finished with a game-high 32 points. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Indiana's Roy Hibbert, rear, celebrates with Danny Granger after Granger scored in overtime. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic loses possession of the ball to Pacers guard Paul George in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Courtney Lee attempts to steal the ball during overtime. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons scores late in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Courtney Lee scores in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Indiana's Lou Amundson blocks a shot from Rockets center Samuel Dalembert in the first half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Pacers forward David West tries to get around Rockets forward Luis Scola in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets forward Chandler Parsons tries to get around Pacers forward Danny Granger during overtime. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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Rockets guard Goran Dragic is blocked by Indiana's Paul George in the second half. (Mayra Beltran / Chronicle)
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