Since coaches never stop worrying, and Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni did not really feel at ease when the Rockets led the Nuggets by 18 midway through the fourth quarter on Friday, D'Antoni naturally was concerned about how the road-weary Rockets would finish the trip they expected to be the toughest of the season.
He also could not be surprised when they saved their near-best for last, fighting fatigue more than the Nuggets to complete the trip with four wins in five games and a 13-7 record a quarter of the way into the season.
The Rockets saw the dangers of playing the Nuggets a day after the double overtime win against the Warriors, and if they didn't, the sunrise in Denver soon after they checked in might have offered a clear clue.