YaoMingMania.com

Yao fights for a rebound over Utah's John Amaechi Tuesday night in Houston. Despite Yao scoring 25 points, the Rockets lost to the Jazz 103-101 in overtime.

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Just like what happened in their last game against the Jazz at Compaq Center, the Rockets couldn't put away Utah after holding a 9-point lead in the fourth quarter. While holding a 3-point lead with 3.5 seconds left and Utah inbounding the ball, the Rockets failed to foul Karl Malone, who passed to Matt Harpring, who then hit a three to send the game into overtime. Once OT started, the Rockets followed their usual ways and shot low percentage shots, and it was "game over." Jazz 103, Rockets 101. The Rockets are now 1-6 in games decided by two points or less. Except for a few games thus far, they just can't execute down the stretch. Yao had a good game, scoring 25 points with 11 coming from the free throw line on 13 attempts (career highs for free throws). His clutch FT shooting kept the Rockets ahead until Harpring's trey. As always, you can get the Detailed Yao Analysis directly below. Since the Rockets play Utah again on Wednesday night, my goal is to provide more analysis of the Rockets effort against the Jazz after tomorrow's game. For more in-depth analysis of this game, I encourage you to read this Houston Chronicle account. Sorry I cannot provide more detail here. Scheduling conflicts coupled with back-to-back games make it extremely tough to provide more. I have to also admit I'm getting a bit frustrated with this pattern of losing and need time to reflect on what's happening here with the Rocks. If you haven't seen it yet, don't forget to check out our Discussion Forum and vote on the question "Should Rudy T. be replaced as the Rockets head coach if Houston doesn't make the playoffs this season?" (requires free registration to vote)

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Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Utah Jazz 2/11/03

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
11:40		With only 4 seconds left on the short clock, James Posey passes to Yao at the top of the key. Aware that there isn't much time left on the shot clock, Yao asserts himself and launches one of the longest shots he has attempted this season: from the top of the key. What happens? Yao drains it!! We love it! We've seen Yao attempt this shot once before, and he hit that one, too! This is not luck we're talking about.
10:46	Assist	From the 3-point line on the left side of the court, James Posey passes the ball to Yao in his favorite spot just outside the lane. Posey runs toward Yao, who drops the ball off to him at the baseline, and James drives the baseline and goes in for the score. Not only did Yao get the assist, but his standing there screened Matt Harpring off from defending Posey.
6:46		Mobley shoots a jumper from the right elbow of the paint, but it rattles out of the basket. However, Yao is able to to tip the ball to himself over Greg Ostertag's outstretched hands, bring the ball under control, then shoots a right-handed shot off the glass for two! Nice hustle by Yao to win the battle against the 7-foot Ostertag. Yao is 2-for-4 from the field, and the score is 11-9 Rockets.
5:17		Francis drives toward the basket along the right edge of the paint with Yao running parallel to him down the center of the lane, and Ostertag is drawn to Francis defensively. After Steve gets Ostertag to commit, Steve dishes a pass to Yao, who is able to fight off Harpring for possession underneath the basket, then DELIVERS A TWO-HANDED FACIAL TO OSTERTAG ON A RIM-RATTLING JAM! AND HE'S FOULED BY OSTERTAG! After the facial, Ostertag kicks the basketball in disgust. Yao makes the free throw, and has 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field.
2nd quarter - The Jazz lead 26-24. Cato starts the quarter for Yao.
5:36		Yao checks into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 38-35.
5:15		From the right side in his favorite spot, Yao gets the ball, turns, shoots and hits it over Ostertag! Yao has 9 points on 4-for-7 shooting.
4:31		From the left side of the lane, Yao dribbles into the paint, pivots and puts up a Sky hook over Ostertag with his right hand...and SWISH! Yao is not only getting the ball, but he is being assertive offensively and scoring with ease. He is now 5-for-8 from the field with 11 points. The Rockets trail 39-40.
3:12	Free Throws	From the left side of the court Yao goes up for a jump shot, but Ostertag fouls him. That's Ostertag's third foul, and he has to retire to the bench. Yao hits both free throws (3-for-3 from the line) and now has 13 points.
1:25	Great defense	Utah's John Amaechi drives to the basket along the baseline, but Yao is there to cut him off and gets pushed to the ground on a charging call. Great sacrificing of the body by Yao for the call! BUT THEN THE REFS REVERSE THE CALL AND SAY YAO WAS CALLED FOR BLOCKING! They had it right the first time! The Compaq Center crowd boos loudly, and for good reason! What is up with these refs?
1:05		Moochie passes the ball to Yao in his favorite spot on the right side just outside of the paint. Yao then drives into the middle of the paint, stops, pump fakes to the right, then leans left toward the basket and extends his right hand under John Amaechi and puts a scoop shot off the glass which rattles around the rim and drops through!! The crowd is going bonkers on this beautiful move! It appears Yao made a very strong move into the lane motivated by the terrible call by the refs on the other end. Yao is 6-for-10 from the field for 15 points.
:8.6	Free Throws	Yao is fouled by Karl Malone on a loose ball foul. Yao misses both free throws.
Halftime - The Rockets trail 47-48.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
4:07		On a Jazz fast break, Matt Harpring catches a long pass and drives to to the hole and tries a reverse layup underneath the glass, but Yao is able to block it!
3:25	Free Throws	Yao gets the ball in the middle of the paint and makes a quick spin move toward the basket, but is fouled by Ostertag, which is his fourth foul. Yao goes to the line and makes both free throws. That's 17 points for Yao.
2:56		Terence Morris puts up a long jumper from the corner, but it draws nothing but air...but Yao is there to collect it in traffic, then goes up and hooks it in for the bucket! That's 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
4th quarter - Cato starts the quarter. Rockets lead 72-69.
5:56		Yao checks into the game for Cato. The Rockets lead 85-79.
4:09	Free Throws	On the left side of the court near his favorite spot, Yao is being guarded by Tony Massenburg. Yao quickly spins baseline and leaves Massenburg wondering, "What happened?" With Yao having a clear lane to the basket, Massenburg has no choice but to foul him. Yao goes to the free throw line and makes both. He now has 21 points.
3:34	Free Throws	With the Rockets leading 89-83, Yao is fouled trying to get position in the paint. He then steps to the free throw line for some very important attempts AND MAKES BOTH! Yao's accurate free throw shooting is really paying off here!
:6.3	Intimidation	With only a few seconds left in the game and the Rockets leading only by one point, John Stockton has the ball on a fast break that can win the game. Stockton throws a pass to Andrei Kirilenko on the right wing, and he drives baseline to the bucket, BUT YAO IS THERE TO MAKE HIM ALTER HIS SHOT, AND THE BAL BOUNCES OFF THE RIM AND YAO GETS A HUGE REBOUND AND IS FOULED! Yao calmly sinks both free throws to put the Rockets up by 3 points. Yao is showing just how valuable his free throw shooting is. The Rockets lead 94-91.
:0.1		Unbelievably, the Jazz Matt Harpring hits a 3-pointer with .1 seconds left to tie the game at 94, and the Rockets go on to lose in overtime. Yao finishes with 25 points on 7-of-16 shooting (and 11-of-13 from the line), 10 rebounds and 3 assists.