Novak's 3 Rescues Rockets
The Houston Rockets are living right. Not many teams can blow an 18-point lead (after three quarters) and win on a three-point jump shot.
Rockets forward Steve Novak took a pass from Tracy McGrady and drained a three-point shot to give the Rockets an 89 to 87 lead over the Sacramento Kings with 2.7 seconds left. Kings' center Brad Miller missed a desperation 3-point shot as the game clock expired.
Novak said, "I was just glad to be out there in the end; and, Tracy put it in my hands at the right time; and, I knew I got it, I was going to put it up. My man helped off and Tracy found me. It feels good."
Tonight's win improves the Rockets' record to 32 and 20 and is eight straight wins for the club.
Yao Ming led the Rockets with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Rafer Alston scored a season-high 23 points. Alston added seven assists.
Ron Artest scored a game-high 30 points for the Kings. Artest scored 15 points in the fourth quarter (6 for 6 from the field) as the Kings outscored the Rockets 26 to 10 in the period.
The Rockets offense went completely south in the fourth quarter. Four turnovers; 3 for 15 shooting (including Novak's game-winning three).
Artest put the Kings ahead 87 to 86 with a turnaround jumper that rolled in with 24.1 seconds left in the game.
After a Rockets' time-out, McGrady took his time against tough defense from Artest; dribbled into the paint; dished to Novak; and, Novak let fly a shot that banged into the net.
Artest said, "I held him (McGrady) scoreless (in the fourth quarter); but, he still made a big play at the end. He got a big assist at the end of the game and that really hurt."
The Rockets are 17-3 over their last 20 games. Houston has not allowed an opponent to score 90 points in any of its last six games.
Rick Adelman added, "Not a lot happened in the fourth quarter for the last shot. We just got so stagnant and missed so many shots. I really thought it started at the end of the second quarter, we did the same thing. In the last five minutes, we couldn't get anything to go down. We had a decent third quarter and then they just came back. We talked about it -- any team in this league could get it going and they have some good offensive players. Artest really got rolling, making every shot. Fortunately, Tracy found Steve at the end. Big shot by Steve. Steve hadn't played much the whole game and hits the game winner. Good way to finish though, to take the win and go to the All-Star break and get ready for the second half."
Rockets forward Steve Novak took a pass from Tracy McGrady and drained a three-point shot to give the Rockets an 89 to 87 lead over the Sacramento Kings with 2.7 seconds left. Kings' center Brad Miller missed a desperation 3-point shot as the game clock expired.
Novak said, "I was just glad to be out there in the end; and, Tracy put it in my hands at the right time; and, I knew I got it, I was going to put it up. My man helped off and Tracy found me. It feels good."
Tonight's win improves the Rockets' record to 32 and 20 and is eight straight wins for the club.
Yao Ming led the Rockets with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Rafer Alston scored a season-high 23 points. Alston added seven assists.
Ron Artest scored a game-high 30 points for the Kings. Artest scored 15 points in the fourth quarter (6 for 6 from the field) as the Kings outscored the Rockets 26 to 10 in the period.
The Rockets offense went completely south in the fourth quarter. Four turnovers; 3 for 15 shooting (including Novak's game-winning three).
Artest put the Kings ahead 87 to 86 with a turnaround jumper that rolled in with 24.1 seconds left in the game.
After a Rockets' time-out, McGrady took his time against tough defense from Artest; dribbled into the paint; dished to Novak; and, Novak let fly a shot that banged into the net.
Artest said, "I held him (McGrady) scoreless (in the fourth quarter); but, he still made a big play at the end. He got a big assist at the end of the game and that really hurt."
The Rockets are 17-3 over their last 20 games. Houston has not allowed an opponent to score 90 points in any of its last six games.
Rick Adelman added, "Not a lot happened in the fourth quarter for the last shot. We just got so stagnant and missed so many shots. I really thought it started at the end of the second quarter, we did the same thing. In the last five minutes, we couldn't get anything to go down. We had a decent third quarter and then they just came back. We talked about it -- any team in this league could get it going and they have some good offensive players. Artest really got rolling, making every shot. Fortunately, Tracy found Steve at the end. Big shot by Steve. Steve hadn't played much the whole game and hits the game winner. Good way to finish though, to take the win and go to the All-Star break and get ready for the second half."
posted by Kris Gardner @ 10:53 PM
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