Rockets Top Spurs by 2
Saturday night, the Houston Rockets picked up a big win, 83 to 81, over the San Antonio Spurs before 18,353 screaming fans.
While the game had an exciting ending, it was not a thing of beauty.
Houston finished the game making 32 of their 83 shots (38.6%); however, the Rockets made just 12 of their free throws -- including three attempts (out of 4) by Yao Ming and Rafer Alston which could have iced the ball game in the final seconds.
"I was disappointed in myself especially after he (Yao Ming) missed two," said Rafer Alston after the game. "I just knew I was going to make two."
San Antonio shot 45.1% (32 for 71) from the field but only 11 of 19 from the foul line.
"Clockwork", aka Tim Duncan, finished the game with 24 points and 17 rebounds. Manu Ginobli scored 21 points off the bench for the Spurs. Tony Parker added 16 points and four assists.
Yao Ming scored 21 points to lead the Rockets while Rafer Alston added 16 points and 6 assists. Yao also pulled down 14 rebounds.
The Rockets' bench scored 30 points. Tracy McGrady came off the bench and scored nine points to lead the unit. Saturday's game was T-Mac's first game action since December 28th. Rookie forward Carl Landry scored seven points (3 for 4 from the field). All three made shots were slam dunks. Landry also grabbed five boards.
"He gave us a lift. The way he's playing -- his hustle; his energy," said Alston about Landry's game. "I think tonight we fed off that. He was getting so many offensive rebounds and putbacks. He was finishing with a ferocious dunk. We're going to need his energy and effort.
Luis Scola scored six points, pulled down six boards; and provided some much needed toughness and energy.
"Luis was Luis. He's been that way all season for us. One thing he's going to give us is hustle plays. He takes big charges. He continues to make big plays for us that don't show up in the stat sheet."
The Rockets led 45 to 39 at halftime; however, the offense went stale in the third quarter and the team made only 7 of 20 shots from the field.
In the fourth quarter, Landry split two free throws to put the Rockets ahead 75 to 68 with 7:53 remaining. Duncan and Parker each scored four points during a quick 8 - 0 Spurs' run to take a 76-75 lead with 4:59 left in the ball game.
Scola tied the game with one made free throw. Then, Alston and Yao Ming scored to give the Rockets a four point lead (80 to 76) with 3:11 to go in the game.
Ginobli drained a three-point shot; but, Yao Ming scored again. Duncan answered with a lay-up to trim Houston's lead to 82-81 with 1:47 remaining.
The Rockets missed three jump shots and three free throws in the final 1:47; however, the Spurs were unable to capitalize. San Antonio forward Matt Bonner missed an 11-foot jump shot as the game clock expired.
Though the win was nice, Alston acknowledged the team needs to build from the victory.
"It's huge. We have to build from this. We can't beat a team like the Spurs then drop another one to Seattle."
While the game had an exciting ending, it was not a thing of beauty.
Houston finished the game making 32 of their 83 shots (38.6%); however, the Rockets made just 12 of their free throws -- including three attempts (out of 4) by Yao Ming and Rafer Alston which could have iced the ball game in the final seconds.
"I was disappointed in myself especially after he (Yao Ming) missed two," said Rafer Alston after the game. "I just knew I was going to make two."
San Antonio shot 45.1% (32 for 71) from the field but only 11 of 19 from the foul line.
"Clockwork", aka Tim Duncan, finished the game with 24 points and 17 rebounds. Manu Ginobli scored 21 points off the bench for the Spurs. Tony Parker added 16 points and four assists.
Yao Ming scored 21 points to lead the Rockets while Rafer Alston added 16 points and 6 assists. Yao also pulled down 14 rebounds.
The Rockets' bench scored 30 points. Tracy McGrady came off the bench and scored nine points to lead the unit. Saturday's game was T-Mac's first game action since December 28th. Rookie forward Carl Landry scored seven points (3 for 4 from the field). All three made shots were slam dunks. Landry also grabbed five boards.
"He gave us a lift. The way he's playing -- his hustle; his energy," said Alston about Landry's game. "I think tonight we fed off that. He was getting so many offensive rebounds and putbacks. He was finishing with a ferocious dunk. We're going to need his energy and effort.
Luis Scola scored six points, pulled down six boards; and provided some much needed toughness and energy.
"Luis was Luis. He's been that way all season for us. One thing he's going to give us is hustle plays. He takes big charges. He continues to make big plays for us that don't show up in the stat sheet."
The Rockets led 45 to 39 at halftime; however, the offense went stale in the third quarter and the team made only 7 of 20 shots from the field.
In the fourth quarter, Landry split two free throws to put the Rockets ahead 75 to 68 with 7:53 remaining. Duncan and Parker each scored four points during a quick 8 - 0 Spurs' run to take a 76-75 lead with 4:59 left in the ball game.
Scola tied the game with one made free throw. Then, Alston and Yao Ming scored to give the Rockets a four point lead (80 to 76) with 3:11 to go in the game.
Ginobli drained a three-point shot; but, Yao Ming scored again. Duncan answered with a lay-up to trim Houston's lead to 82-81 with 1:47 remaining.
The Rockets missed three jump shots and three free throws in the final 1:47; however, the Spurs were unable to capitalize. San Antonio forward Matt Bonner missed an 11-foot jump shot as the game clock expired.
Though the win was nice, Alston acknowledged the team needs to build from the victory.
"It's huge. We have to build from this. We can't beat a team like the Spurs then drop another one to Seattle."
posted by Kris Gardner @ 5:13 PM
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