Houston general manager Daryl Morey pursued a trade for Carmelo Anthony, but now that the team has played so well without a big star, owner Leslie Alexander is less willing to make that type of move.

"Definitely, the way our players are playing," Alexander said. "Daryl and I always fight about this. It's all give and take. I think our guys have shown they are capable of winning a championship if we add a couple pieces to them. I don't want to give them away for some other player.

"We are young. (Patrick) Patterson. (Kyle) Lowry's just 24. Chase (Budinger), Courtney (Lee) and Jordan Hill. You can go on and on and on. Chuck Hayes (28) is not that old. Yao (Ming) is only 31. There is no reason he can't have five or six more years."

The Rockets are 12-4 since the break.

"I had dinner with Chuck Hayes," Alexander said. "He mentioned, 'We all know what we're doing now. We all know what to do; we're doing the right thing at every part of the game, which makes us a very tough team to beat.'

"I definitely think we have a bright future. If we gain a couple of pieces, I think we can be a very good team."