Rockets rout Clippers with Yao's double-double
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-15 15:03

Alston's 3-pointer capped an 11-2 run that increased Houston's 14-point lead to 84-61 with 5:12 left in the third, and the Clippers got no closer than 14 points before the Rockets pulled away by 30 midway through the fourth quarter. The 31-point losing margin was one point shy of the Clippers' largest losing margin ever against the Rockets.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy got upset at referee Leon Wood over a foul called against center Chris Kaman in the first quarter, after Yao fell backwards under the Houston basket. Less than 2 minutes later, Yao was called for an equally questionable foul when Kaman crashed to the floor after driving around him. At that moment, Dunleavy put his hand in front of his face, made eye-contact with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and mouthed the words, "We're even."