|
Yao helps Rockets beat Hawks 123-121
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-23 14:03
Yao Ming scored a career-high 41 points, including eight in the last of three overtimes, to help the Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-121 on Sunday night.
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (11) of China is pressured by Atlanta Hawks' Zeljko Rebraca, left, of Serbia-Montenegro as Jason Terry, rear, follows the play in the first half Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, in Houston. [Reuters] |
Cuttino Mobley added 28 points, and Steve Francis had 16, including nine in the overtimes, but fouled out with 37 seconds left in the third extra period.
In the third overtime, Yao scored Houston's first six points, but Jim Jackson tied it with one of two free throws with 47 seconds remaining, and Bob Sura scored with 37 seconds to go to give the Hawks a 122-120 lead. Yao then hit a short jumper with 23 seconds left and Mobley made one of two free throws with 8 seconds to play.
Yao hit a layup with 32 seconds to play in regulation to put Houston up 94-91, but Atlanta's Chris Crawford made a 3-pointer with 25 seconds to play to tie it at 94.
Francis then forced the second overtime, hitting a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to play in the first extra period.
Terry hit a 3 with 54 seconds left to give the Hawks a 114-111 lead in the second overtime. Jackson countered with a 3 from the corner to tie it with 5 seconds left.
Jason Terry led Atlanta with 27 points, and Stephen Jackson added 24.
Notes: Houston also won the NBA's last three-overtime game, beating visiting Indiana 127-118 on March 13, 2001. ... Atlanta has lost five straight in Houston, and 11 of its last 12. ... The Rockets are 6-6 on first nights and 9-4 on second nights of back-to-back games ... Houston is 6-0 when Yao has at least four blocks. ... Terry has at least one steal in 18 straight games.
|
