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Photo: Richard Carson / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Image 2 of 15 Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the seventh round of the 1985 draft, Elie broke into the league with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1990-91. After signing a 10-day contract, Elie appeared in three games with the Sixers. He finished the campaign with the Golden State Warriors. He would also spend the 1991-92 season in the Bay Area. Elie averaged about 8 points per game during his stint with the Warriors. less Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the seventh round of the 1985 draft, Elie broke into the league with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1990-91. After signing a 10-day contract, Elie appeared in three games ... more Photo: Bill Baptist / NBAE/Getty Images Image 3 of 15 Elie signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 1992-93 season. He averaged just over 20 minutes per game and shot over 45 percent from the field. Elie signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 1992-93 season. He averaged just over 20 minutes per game and shot over 45 percent from the field. Photo: Brian Drake / Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images Image 4 of 15 Prior to the 1993-94 season, Elie was dealt to the Rockets for a 1995 second round draft pick. Coming off the bench, Elie became a key piece to the team's championship puzzle. Prior to the 1993-94 season, Elie was dealt to the Rockets for a 1995 second round draft pick. Coming off the bench, Elie became a key piece to the team's championship puzzle. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE/Getty Images Image 5 of 15 Image 6 of 15 Elie came off the bench and played nearly 30 minutes per game (during the playoffs) in the Rockets' second title run. He also shot over 50 percent from the field and made 43 percent of his 3-pointers. He started all four games of the Finals in which the Rockets swept the Magic. less Elie came off the bench and played nearly 30 minutes per game (during the playoffs) in the Rockets' second title run. He also shot over 50 percent from the field and made 43 percent of his 3-pointers. He ... more Photo: Noren Trotman / NBAE/Getty Images Image 7 of 15 Elie, still coming off the bench, averaged over 30 minutes per game during the regular season for the Rockets in 1995-96. He also averaged over 11 points per game and 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He shot over 50 percent from the floor during the season. The Rockets beat the Lakers in the opening round of the playoffs, but were then swept by the SuperSonics in the second round. less Elie, still coming off the bench, averaged over 30 minutes per game during the regular season for the Rockets in 1995-96. He also averaged over 11 points per game and 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He shot over ... more Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press Image 8 of 15 Elie became a regular starter for the Rockets during the 1996-97 season when he started 77 of the 78 games he played in. He also started all 16 games of the playoffs for the Rockets, where they lost in the Conference Finals to the Jazz 4-2. less Elie became a regular starter for the Rockets during the 1996-97 season when he started 77 of the 78 games he played in. He also started all 16 games of the playoffs for the Rockets, where they lost in the ... more Photo: Tony Ranze / AFP Image 9 of 15 In what ended up being his final season in a Rockets jersey (1997-98), Elie started 59 games. He averaged over 27 minutes per game, but logged the worst 3-point percentage of his entire career (29.1 percent) in a season when the Jazz knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs in the first round. less In what ended up being his final season in a Rockets jersey (1997-98), Elie started 59 games. He averaged over 27 minutes per game, but logged the worst 3-point percentage of his entire career (29.1 percent) ... more Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press Image 10 of 15 Image 11 of 15 Elie won his third NBA Championship as a part of the 1998-99 Spurs. He started 37 regular season games for them as well as all 17 playoff games. He was a part of a starting lineup that included Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Avery Johnson and Sean Elliot. less Elie won his third NBA Championship as a part of the 1998-99 Spurs. He started 37 regular season games for them as well as all 17 playoff games. He was a part of a starting lineup that included Tim Duncan, ... more Photo: Kathy Willens / Associated Press Image 12 of 15 Elie's final season was played with the Suns. He started 67 games for Phoenix in the regular season as well as all four playoff games. The Suns lost to the Kings in the first round. Elie's final season was played with the Suns. He started 67 games for Phoenix in the regular season as well as all four playoff games. The Suns lost to the Kings in the first round. Photo: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images Image 13 of 15 Elie was named as a part of the Rockets' team of the 90s along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Robery Horry and Kenny Smith. Elie was named as a part of the Rockets' team of the 90s along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Robery Horry and Kenny Smith. Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle Image 14 of 15 Elie started his coaching career in 2003 with the Spurs. In 2004 he left San Antonio to become an assistant for the Warriors. He left Golden State and became an assistant for the Mavericks in 2007. Elie left Dallas in 2009 to join the Kings in the same role. In 2011 he left Sacramento to help the New Jersey (at the time) Nets. He served as an assistant with the Nets for two seasons. less Elie started his coaching career in 2003 with the Spurs. In 2004 he left San Antonio to become an assistant for the Warriors. He left Golden State and became an assistant for the Mavericks in 2007. Elie left ... more Photo: Rocky Widner / NBAE/Getty Images Image 15 of 15 Mario Elie, who led Rockets' 3-1 comeback in 1995, is still bullish on Houston 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Mario Elie isn’t worried about the Rockets.

Yes, they are down 3-1 to Portland in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, they are facing elimination on Wednesday night.

But, as Elie says, it’s not over.

And few know better than him how true that is.

In 1995, the Rockets were down 3-1 to Phoenix in the second round and were facing a Game 5 on the road in a rowdy arena against a team they had defeated in the playoffs the season before.

“It was a really tough situation,” Elie, the former Rockets guard, said. “But we had a really confident group. No one on the team was ready for vacation yet.”

So the Rockets headed back to Phoenix, forced an overtime and a Game 6. They would go on to win that series 4-3 and their second straight NBA title.

In that crucial Game 5, Elie and teammate Chucky Brown came off the bench and each had 15 points. Those performances, Elie said, are what a team on the ropes need.

“The playoffs are different, it’s tougher,” he said. “You have to have guys on the team step up. You know your stars are going to score. You need other guys to also.”

Elie certainly did in Game 7. His “kiss of death” 3-pointer from the corner with 7.1 seconds to plays put the Rockets up 113-110 in what would be a 115-114 win.

“Shots like that one will give you a lot of confidence,” he said. “It just raises the mood and confidence of the team. That was a big moment.”

Elie has his eye on a Rockets player who has had a couple of big shots in the Portland series, rookie Troy Daniels. Elie said the guard reminded him of himself.

“Guys like me and him, we came from the bottom,” Elie said. “He has nothing to lose and he plays without fear.

“I would like to see him get even more playing time.”

As the Rockets prepare to host Portland in Game 5 on Wednesday, Elie said they just need to be confident and believe that they can turn it around.

He said the biggest part of the 1995 Rockets turning around their series against Phoenix was overall team confidence.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Elie said. “We were down, Clyde (Drexler) was in the hotel room with a fever. Our fans were worried. But we just thought, ‘we only have to win three games in a row. We have done that before.’ Then it wasn’t so bad. We all still felt like we had a great chance.”

With the way the Rockets-Trail Blazers series has gone, Elie sees no reason for concern.

“These games have been so close,” Elie said. “The Rockets could easily be up 3-1. They have no reason to believe they aren’t still in this.

“Portland has the pressure. It’s hard to eliminate a team. They have to come on the road to a great environment and the Rockets will be ready. It will be another good game.”

His advice to the Rockets? Have a lot of energy and a lot of confidence.

“I heard (coach Kevin) McHale talking about how they are going to have to grind it out,” Elie said. “That’s exactly right in these games. Playoffs are about grinding out games. This isn’t the regular season. You can’t just bounce back. They need to do what it takes to win.

“And I see no reason they can’t.”

While the Rockets continue on their postseason road, Elie said he would be watching every step of the way.

“I am not ready for the Rockets’ season to end, yet. I think they have a few more left in them.”