Houston Rockets in pursuit of a title

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and center Dwight Howard (12) celebrate during the final moments of Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
AP-AP

It's been 20 years since the Rockets won back to back NBA titles, but this year's Rockets team has awakened those Championship feelings in the city of Houston. Clutch City 2.0 is alive as the Rockets are back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1997.

Kevin McHale in his fourth year as Rockets head coach has pushed the right buttons and shuffled his line-up to get the most out of an injury filled regular season. Dwight Howard played in exactly half the games during the regular season but he's at full speed and playing at a high level in the playoffs. James Harden finished second in scoring averaging 27 points a game and second in the MVP voting.

Harden and Howard getting plenty of help from their supporting cast. The additions of veterans Jason Terry, Josh Smith and Corey Brewer helped the Rockets earn the number two seed in the West and it's their play against the Clippers that helped erase a 3-1 deficit.

The Rockets are only the 9th team in NBA history to come back after being down 3-1. McHale is the only head coach and player to ever come back from a 3 - 1 deficit. McHale was part of a Celtics team that came back against the 76ers in 1982. He's an old school, been-there-done-that kind of coach, one his players identify with.

Counted out by many, the Rockets refused to go quietly, as they continue their pursuit of another NBA title.