Maxwell: Houston Will Win

Houston guard Vernon Maxwell guarantees that the Rockets will beat the Phoenix Suns in the seventh game of the NBA Western Conference semifinals today at the Summit.

“We’re definitely going to win,” Maxwell said shortly after being ejected in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 103-89 loss at Phoenix. “We’re going to get ready to play whoever wins the game in Utah (today between the Jazz and the Denver Nuggets in the other Western Conference semifinal).”

Rocket center Hakeem Olajuwon isn’t as confident that Houston will advance to the Western Conference finals for the third time in franchise history.

“Nobody can guarantee the future,” Olajuwon said. “But we’re in a very good position. We have to be smart, play with confidence and take care of business.”

Maxwell will need to shoot better than he did Thursday for the Rockets to make good on his prediction. He had 34 points in Game 3, his best playoff game ever, but made only two of 10 shots and scored six points in Game 6.

Guard Kenny Smith didn’t shoot much better, missing eight of 11 shots and scoring eight points.

Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson, who overcame a bad Game 5 by getting 28 points and 13 assists in Game 6, expects the Suns to advance.

“We’re very confident. We’ve been in this situation many times,” Johnson said. “We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to try to rediscover what we’re made of.”