A Success: Rockets top Celtics before sellout crowd at Dodge Arena

HIDALGO — Big-time basketball came to the Rio Grande Valley Wednesday night. Aside from a little local flavor in the form of a mariachi band that performed the national anthem, it was all business for the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics in their exhibition staged before a sellout crowd of 6,300 at Dodge Arena.

Former Viper Aaron Brooks scored a game-high 21 points for the Rockets, who prevailed 96-90. Brooks did most of his damage in the first and third quarters, but it was Australian rookie David Andersen that helped the Rockets pull away late.

Andersen hit jump shots from 19, 8 and 17 feet and snagged a rebound in the final 2:48 as the Rockets broke away from an 88-88 tie. Andersen finished with 11 points.

“Both teams had some young guys playing down the stretch,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “We had some guys really step up. David Andersen came in the last three minutes and was huge.”

Will Conroy and Carl Landry each scored 12 for Houston (2-0).

Celtics 6-foot-11 forward Kevin Garnett, who received the loudest applause during player introductions, returned for his first action since having knee surgery in May. He snagged the opening tip and sank his first field goal attempt — a 22-foot jumper — for the game’s opening score.

Garnett moved well for the most part, but was still walking a little gingerly with this right leg. Garnett finished with six points and five points in 13 minutes.

“I know his gait and I saw four minutes into the second half he was exhausted,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Garnett. “I was watching his legs and as long as he wasn’t limping, I was going to let him push through the wall, but then I thought, ‘Let’s get him out.’”

Reserve Michael Sweetney led Boston with 10 points as 14 Celtics scored.

Fans were slow to warm to the “hometown” Houston Rockets — as they were referred to by the public address announcer — in this San Antonio Spurs hotbed.

There was probably good reason. Only the most ardent Houston fans could recognize the players Houston trotted onto the floor.

The Rockets didn’t have their star players — Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Yao is likely going to miss the year recovering from surgery to repair a foot fracture. Yao was not in attendance. McGrady, who watched the game from the bench, is expected to miss the first part of the season recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee performed last February.

Shane Battier, who participated in shooting warm-ups, also didn’t play and sat behind the Rockets’ bench beside Houston’s general manager, Daryl Morey. Battier has been bothered by a pulled hamstring.

VIPERS NEWS

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers new head coach Chris Finch was introduced to the media just prior to the game. Finch, who also coaches the British national team, was announced as the Vipers’ third coach last week.

Former Milwaukee Buck Paul Mokeski was introduced as Finch’s assistant. He has coached with two other D-League teams in Fort Worth and most recently in Anaheim.

Finch has coached in England, Germany and Belgium the last 12 years, compiling 380-178 record and seven league championships.

“I’m going to have to learn some of the nuances of the D-League, but I don’t think (coaching in Europe) gives you an advantage,” Finch said. “Basketball is basketball.” … Rockets vice president of player personnel Gerrson Rosas was named the Vipers general manager on Wednesday. Rosas will maintain his role with the Rockets and add the responsibilities of being in charge of the Vipers’ personnel moves.

Brian Michael Cooper who held the dual title of Vipers general manager/president will remain the team’s president. Cooper will be in charge of the business end of things for the Vipers as he was before.

“This is an important area and platform for us to evaluate talent,” Rosas said.

Rosas has worked for the Rockets for six seasons and elevated to his current position last month. Rosas is a Columbia native and grew up in Houston. He will work out of the Houston office.

David Hinojosa covers the Vipers for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.