Adelman, Rockets put distraction aside

HIDALGO — Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the team has not been distracted by all the hoopla surrounding the team’s training camp in the Rio Grande Valley. The portion of the five-day camp included a quick up-and-down trip to San Antonio Tuesday for an exhibition with the Spurs.

“We’re playing games so it doesn’t matter where you play,” Adelman said before Wednesday’s game. “You are finding out about your team. We’ve been able to play a (intrasquad) scrimmage and two games so it’s been good.”

During the Rockets’ stay in the Valley for training camp, he said he was trying to use their early travels as a way to prepare his team for similar stretches during the regular season.

IN THE CHASE

Chase Budinger (Arizona), one of the two Rockets second-round draft picks, had eight points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. The other second-round pick, Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida), was scoreless and had one rebound in nine minutes.

Budinger scored his first two points on a nifty layup over Rasheed Wallace. Budinger and Taylor are prime candidates to spend some time with the Vipers should they not make the Rockets’ squad.

“I think I’m doing pretty well, there’s still a lot of learning I’ve got to do, especially on the defensive end,” said Budinger, who scored 15 points against the Spurs Tuesday as a surprise starter for Shane Battier. “I’m just trying to get better every game.”

SHEED’S ANTICS

It didn’t take long for Rasheed Wallace to get a technical foul as a member of the Celtics.

Midway through the third, Wallace was whistled for a foul on the Rockets’ Trevor Ariza. Wallace argued the call with a referee and was called for a technical. During his career, Wallace has become known for his confrontations with the referees, and he gave the Valley a small glimpse of that Wednesday.

“Rasheed is an emotional player,” Celtics guard Ray Allen said. “It’s always great to see a guy who’s emotional about the game”

FOUL NIGHT

NBA officials have been locked out by the league, forcing the use of replacement officials. Those officials called 75 fouls, and the teams combined to shoot 102 free throws.

The Celtics struggled from the line, missing 20 of their 55 attempts. Houston, meanwhile, took better advantage and made 36 of their 47 attempts.

Boston coach Doc Rivers wasn’t complaining much about the officials.

“I thought they were fine. A lot of calls, obviously,” Rivers said. “It’s so tough for them, they’ve never reffed these guys before. They’ll just keep getting better and better at it.”

IN COURT

Few probably realized it, but the Rio Grande Valley Silverados played a part in Wednesday night’s game.

Because the Vipers’ court was not usable for a game, the Rockets and Celtics used the McAllen Convention Center’s court. The only Vipers marking on the surface was a decal placed at center court.

During their lone year in the Valley, the Silverados played at the Convention Center and used the same court graced by the Celtics and Rockets.