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Yao vs. Suns - 2/19/03

Yao shoots over fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night. In Houston's victory, Yao scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds compared to Stoudemire's 11 points and 3 rebounds.

Within a 24-hour period, the Rocket rollercoaster went from a valley (losing to the Lakers in double-OT) to a crest after an excellent win Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns, 107-89. If the Rockets end up making the playoffs, they might be able to look at this game as the turning point. But we've said that before following other big victories this season, haven't we?

After only scoring 18 points in the first quarter and trailing the Suns by 4, the Rockets got their offense humming in the second quarter where they took a 50-40 lead and extended the lead after three quarters to 77-61. The Rockets did just about everything right by flowing the offense through Yao, moving the ball around to find the open man (18 assists), hitting open shots, and out-rebounding the Suns (57-32). In other words: all the stuff we have hoped the Rockets would try to do every game, but for some reason they forget to do.

Mr. Consistency

Yao had his 18th double-double of the season after scoring 12 points (3-for-8 from the field, 6-6 from the line) and snaring 12 rebounds (7 offensive). He also had 3 blocks and 3 assists. The man can do it all. Although he's not scoring a lot of points, Yao appears very comfortable and confident in having the offense run through him. The fact he has made 61 of his past 68 free throws (90%) doesn't hurt when he steps to the line in clutch time, either.

Balanced effort

The rest of the Rockets finally were able to deliver collectively in one game. Glen Rice was surprisingly effective in only his second game after being taken off injured reserve by hitting 7-of-8 treys to tie his season-high point total of 23. Mobley had 22 points (7-of-15) and 7 assists (believe it or not), Mo Taylor 13 points (6-of-11), and Eddie Griffin had 12 points and 10 rebounds, including some clutch baskets at the end of the 3rd quarter (a 3-pointer), and a couple of put-backs after offensive boards. And they didn't really need Steve Francis, who played 29 minutes but headed to the locker room after only scoring 5 points. I'm not sure what his physical condition is right now, but I don't expect it to be serious.

Now we'll see if the Rockets can have the same success Friday night against their long-term rival, the Dallas Mavericks. It will be interesting since in their last game against the Mavs the Rockets lost their confidence big-time in the second half when Dallas started raining three-pointers. Do the Rockets have enough confidence now to weather their next storm against the Mavericks? Compared to the Suns' centers, will the inside presence of Dallas' Shawn Bradley and Raef Lafrentz change the complexion of the game in a way the Suns wished they could have done? It will be a good test of the Rockets' mettle, especially after being blown out in their past 3 meetings against the Mavs.

Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Phoenix Suns 2/19/03

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.

9:33 Yao gets the ball on the right side outside the lane, then turns baseline on Scott Williams and shoots a little jumper for the score. Yao is 1-for-2 with 2 points.

6:27 Assist Yao is double-teamed outside the paint on the right side (exact same spot where he made his last shot), and he passes a swift pass to a cutting Maurice Taylor down the middle of the lane, who jams it home! Rockets trail 8-13.

3:57 Yao checks out of the game for Cato. Rockets trail 11-16.

2nd quarter - Cato remains in the game.

6:08 Yao checks back into the game for Cato. Rockets trail 31-33.

3:26 Stephon Marbury drives the lane and puts up a shot over Yao, but Yao is able to deflect it for the rejection!

1:46 Free
throws Eddie Griffin shoots a 3-pointer that misses, but Yao grabs the rebound and will have a sure dunk, but he is fouled by Scott Williams. Yao makes both free throws, and has four points.

Halftime - The Rockets lead 50-40 after Francis heaves a long 3-pointer with no time remaining on the clock.

3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.

10:39 With the shot clock down to 2 seconds, Francis drives the lane and everyone in the building thinks he's going to put up a shot, but instead he dishes to Yao who is standing 3 feet inside the 3-point line along the left baseline. With only 1 second left on the shot clock, Yao shoots a long jumper and SWISH!! Beautiful play, and this is one of the longest shots Yao has hit all season. He still has that outside touch! Yao has 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting. Rockets lead 54-40.

9:44 Assist Posey passes the ball to Yao in his favorite spot just outside the left side of the paint, then Posey cuts to the basket along the baseline right next to Yao. Yao hands the ball off to him on this classic give-and-go play and Posey goes in for the uncontested dunk! Rockets lead 56-42, and they are clicking on all cylinders right now!

6:44 From the left side of the lane, Mobley drives to the hole then dishes to Yao on the right side of the lane. Yao immediately drives to the rack and puts up a soft finger roll for the bucket! What a nice, graceful shot by Yao!

3:44 Intimidation Shawn Marion drives the lane, but Yao tracks him perfectly and is able to alter Marion's scoop shot attempt. The shot misses off the glass and the Rockets grab the defensive rebound.

2:47 Jake Voskuhl picks up a loose ball in the middle of the paint and he tries a hook shot over Yao, but Yao is easily able to deflect it without even jumping.

2:40 Yao checks out of the game and is replaced by Cato. The Rockets lead 70-53.

4th quarter - Cato stays in the game. The Rockets lead 77-61.

6:58 Yao checks into the game.

6:28 Marbury drives into the lane and puts up a shot as he runs into Yao, who is just standing there. Yao is credited with a block although it was hard to tell if he actually touched it, or if it was just a poor shot by Marbury.

5:34 Free
Throws Yao is fouled by Bo Outlaw as he is jockeying for position in the paint. Yao makes both free throws, and the Rockets lead 93-74. Yao has 10 points.

1:35 Free
Throws Glen Rice misses a 3-pointer, and Yao is fouled on the rebound. He shoots free throws, and makes both of them. The Rockets lead 102-87. Yao has 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting, and is 6-of-6 from the line. Yao also has 3 blocks.

The Rockets go on to beat the Suns 107-89.

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1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
9:33		Yao gets the ball on the right side outside the lane, then turns baseline on Scott Williams and shoots a little jumper for the score. Yao is 1-for-2 with 2 points.
6:27	Assist	Yao is double-teamed outside the paint on the right side (exact same spot where he made his last shot), and he passes a swift pass to a cutting Maurice Taylor down the middle of the lane, who jams it home! Rockets trail 8-13.
3:57		Yao checks out of the game for Cato. Rockets trail 11-16.
2nd quarter - Cato remains in the game.
6:08		Yao checks back into the game for Cato. Rockets trail 31-33.
3:26		Stephon Marbury drives the lane and puts up a shot over Yao, but Yao is able to deflect it for the rejection!
1:46	Free throws	Eddie Griffin shoots a 3-pointer that misses, but Yao grabs the rebound and will have a sure dunk, but he is fouled by Scott Williams. Yao makes both free throws, and has four points.
Halftime - The Rockets lead 50-40 after Francis heaves a long 3-pointer with no time remaining on the clock.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
10:39		With the shot clock down to 2 seconds, Francis drives the lane and everyone in the building thinks he's going to put up a shot, but instead he dishes to Yao who is standing 3 feet inside the 3-point line along the left baseline. With only 1 second left on the shot clock, Yao shoots a long jumper and SWISH!! Beautiful play, and this is one of the longest shots Yao has hit all season. He still has that outside touch! Yao has 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting. Rockets lead 54-40.
9:44	Assist	Posey passes the ball to Yao in his favorite spot just outside the left side of the paint, then Posey cuts to the basket along the baseline right next to Yao. Yao hands the ball off to him on this classic give-and-go play and Posey goes in for the uncontested dunk! Rockets lead 56-42, and they are clicking on all cylinders right now!
6:44		From the left side of the lane, Mobley drives to the hole then dishes to Yao on the right side of the lane. Yao immediately drives to the rack and puts up a soft finger roll for the bucket! What a nice, graceful shot by Yao!
3:44	Intimidation	Shawn Marion drives the lane, but Yao tracks him perfectly and is able to alter Marion's scoop shot attempt. The shot misses off the glass and the Rockets grab the defensive rebound.
2:47		Jake Voskuhl picks up a loose ball in the middle of the paint and he tries a hook shot over Yao, but Yao is easily able to deflect it without even jumping.
2:40		Yao checks out of the game and is replaced by Cato. The Rockets lead 70-53.
4th quarter - Cato stays in the game. The Rockets lead 77-61.
6:58		Yao checks into the game.
6:28		Marbury drives into the lane and puts up a shot as he runs into Yao, who is just standing there. Yao is credited with a block although it was hard to tell if he actually touched it, or if it was just a poor shot by Marbury.
5:34	Free Throws	Yao is fouled by Bo Outlaw as he is jockeying for position in the paint. Yao makes both free throws, and the Rockets lead 93-74. Yao has 10 points.
1:35	Free Throws	Glen Rice misses a 3-pointer, and Yao is fouled on the rebound. He shoots free throws, and makes both of them. The Rockets lead 102-87. Yao has 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting, and is 6-of-6 from the line. Yao also has 3 blocks. The Rockets go on to beat the Suns 107-89.