As I stood and watched the beginning of the game from just off the court, I could see the intensity the Rockets were playing with. It was a classic case of determination and effort. THIS is the way the team with the longest winning streak in the league this year and second longest in the history of the game should perform. The defense was swarming, the anticipation was precise, and fundamentals of the game were almost perfect. When the Rockets execute like that, nobody is going to beat them. Utah never had a chance and it was so noticeable.

When you play smart, tough and with confidence, look out. Rick Adelman's team was well prepared and Jerry Sloan's team was overwhelmed. There were only about three times in the first half, I noticed a lazy effort in blocking out when a shot went up and it hurt the Rockets. Nobody is perfect but it was such a indication on how important the basics are and what the result will be. Utah saw the same thing I saw and everyone else witnessed. I'm thinking they've got to have a big question mark in their minds on how to solve the resurgent guys from Houston.

Game six now returns to the Rocky Mountains in a difficult place to play. It's called Energy Solutions Arena. If the Rockets stay focused and give the effort in game six that they had in game five, they may be doing commercials for the company whose name is on the building the Jazz play in before they leave to come home and match up with Utah in the deciding game seven.