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Yao vs. Sonics - 3/18/03

Yao drives on Sonic center Jerome James Tuesday night in Seattle. James got to take more shots (9) than Yao (8), who scored 13 points to Yao's 8 in the Sonics victory over the Rockets 100-94. (AP photo)

The Rockets roll of 5 straight wins ended Tuesday night in Seattle when the Sonics pulled away in the second half, hitting 59% of their shots and making 5 of their last 8 three-point attempts. The Rockets couldn't keep pace as they only hit 25% of their treys, which is below the magical 30% mark which more-or-less determines if they will win or not. Final score: Seattle 100, Rockets 94. Just like that, the Rockets are again tied with Phoenix for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

If you hadn't heard, this game was played without coach Rudy T in attendance. Tomjanovich was back in Houston recuperating from medical tests that determined he has "superficial" bladder cancer, which means it's highly curable. As a tribute to Rudy and to build solidarity, all Rocket players wore red headbands, which was a moving gesture rarely seen in professional basketball.

It was the first time we had seen Yao wear a headband, and he looked good with it on. It definitely didn't hurt his shooting percentage since he went 4-for-8 from the field, but since he didn't go to the free throw line, he only scored 8 points. Regardless, with the success of the Sonics outside shooting in the second half, there was probably nothing that Yao could have done to prevent this loss. The Rockets made a late run behind two 3-pointers and two free throws by Glen Rice to narrow a 14-point deficit to six, but the Sonics were able to close out the victory at the free throw line.

As a side note, there's something about Yao Ming and Kelvin Cato that brings the best out of reserve Sonic center Jerome James. James matched his season-high of 13 points, which ironically was set previously against the Rockets on November 5th. Couple James' points with the 13 points from "throw-in guy" Kevin Ollie (acquired by Seattle in the Ray Allen for Gary Payton/Desmond Mason trade a few weeks ago), and you've got some unexpected bench production the Rockets couldn't counter.

The Rockets next play Portland on Wednesday night. We will be quite surprised if the Rockets can beat the 4th seed in the Western Conference on the road. Since Phoenix plays Utah at home on Wednesday, look for the Rockets to be 1 game out of that final playoff spot late Wednesday evening. If they do lose their second straight, it will be interesting to see how they respond Friday night at Golden State (another team that threatens the Rockets playoff chances). The Rockets depend so much on their confidence, when they start losing it becomes difficult for them to shake themselves out of a funk.

cYAO,
John

Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Seattle Supersonics 3/18/03
brought to you by John and Jeff

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.

9:46 On a Rockets fast break from the half court area, James Posey makes a 15-foot bounce pass that hits Yao perfectly in stride. With no one in his way, Yao takes two monster steps, skies to the rim, and SLAMS it home! Way to run on a fastbreak, big man! Yao scores the first Rockets points of the game, and the score is tied 2-2.

2:11 From the upper left three-point line, James Posey makes a post pass to Yao at the outer left edge. With Sonics' center Jerome James defending, Yao knocks down a turnaround 12-footer. Yao now has 4 points (2-for-4), and gives Houston their first lead, 18-16.

0:34.5 Off an Eddie Griffin 3-pointer miss, Steve Francis gets the rebound at the left edge. With two Sonics now focusing on him thinking he's going to take the shot, Franchise flips a beauty of a no-look pass to Yao on the right side of the rim. Yao jumps and throws down a one-hand dunk with AUTHORITY! Through the roars of the crowd, you can tell a big part of the Seattle audience is Asian! Nice setup by Franchise! The Rockets lead 20-18.

2nd quarter - The Rockets lead the Sonics, by the close score of 20-18. Yao has 6 points on 3-for-5 shooting and 4 rebounds. Cato starts the second quarter.

4:01 Yao comes in late in the second quarter for Cato. Cato, like recent games, has performed proficiently. Cato has 6 points (3-for-3), 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Rockets lead only by 2 points, 36-34.
3:21 Intimidation Sonics center Predrag Drobnjak rebounds a fade-away miss from Sonics sharpshooter Ray Allen. With only Yao between him and the rim, Drobnjak tries to put up a baby 3-foot hook shot over Yao, but Yao's menacing presence causes Drobnjak to airball! Yao gets the rebound, but he turns it over when Sonics small forward Rashard Lewis intercepts his outlet pass to James Posey. The result of this turnover unfortunately leads to a Ray Allen 3-pointer. The Sonics lead 37-39.

Halftime - After several lead changes in the second quarter, the Sonics have regained the lead, 47-46. Yao did not take a shot attempt in the second quarter, and he has 6 points (3-for-5) and 5 rebounds.

3rd quarter - Yao starts the third quarter.

8:44 Cat Mobley streaks down the left side on a 3-on-2 fast break. As Mobley nears the left elbow of the free throw line, he lobs a pass to the right of the rim, exactly where Yao is waiting. Yao leaps to air, PALMS the ball with his right hand and WHAMS it in with a DUNK!!! This makes the Asian contingent in the crowd get up and cheer for the phenom known as Yao even more! Even some of the Rockets players on the bench like Juaquin Hawkins are jostling with each other after seeing this incredible play!

6:58 Intimidation Rashard Lewis gets a feed from the left baseline and works his way to the basket for the dunk. Three Rockets converge on him, Posey from behind, Griffin from the side, and Yao from the front. The result: Yao and company prove to be just too much, as Lewis misses the dunk! Great team defense by the Rockets!

3:02 Assist Posey inbounds the ball to Yao in his favorite post position. Seeing his man out of position, JP uses Yao as a big screen and cuts to the baseline. Yao dishes to JP, who goes in for the reverse layup and scores as his shot is goaltended by Rashard Lewis. That's Yao first assist of the game. Amazingly, after Lewis goaltended the ball, Yao grabbed the ball in mid-air and threw another one down, two-handed with authority! The snap on the dunk was so powerful, Yao's teammates on the bench just shook their head in awe. The Rockets trail 62-63.

1:04 Cato checks in for Yao. Yao leaves with 8 points on 4-for-7 shooting. The Rockets trail 64-73.

4th quarter - The Sonics end the third quarter with a 20-8 run. The Sonics lead the Rockets, 68-78. After three quarters of play, Yao has 8 points (4-for-7 from the field), 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Cato starts the fourth quarter.

4:58 Yao checks in for Cato. The Sonics lead 88-77.

3:52 Assist Yao gets the ball in the outer left edge post. As Sonics point guard Kevin Ollie comes in to double-team from the weakside, James Posey gets a step on his man and cuts through the paint. Yao finds him over the double-team defense, and JP lays it in for the easy two. Yao now has 8 points and 2 assists. The Rockets continue to trail 80-92.

2:53 With the Rockets trailing the Sonics 80-94, Cato checks in for Yao. Now we don't quite understand interim coach Larry Smith's strategy here. It's not like Yao is having a horrible game. At this point Yao is shooting 50% and is 4-for-8 from the field. For the past several games, we have been accustomed to Yao finishing games when they are relatively close.

0:00 Despite the late heroic efforts of Glen Rice (8 points in the last 2 minutes of play), the Rockets go on to lose 94-100. As noted above, to our puzzlement, Yao sat out most of the fourth quarter, playing for about only 2 minutes. Yao's stats for the game are: 8 points (4-for-8), 7 rebounds, and 2 assist. With this loss and Phoenix's win yesterday, the Rockets and Suns are tied once again for the eighth and final seed of the Western Conference.

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1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
9:46		On a Rockets fast break from the half court area, James Posey makes a 15-foot bounce pass that hits Yao perfectly in stride. With no one in his way, Yao takes two monster steps, skies to the rim, and SLAMS it home! Way to run on a fastbreak, big man! Yao scores the first Rockets points of the game, and the score is tied 2-2.
2:11		From the upper left three-point line, James Posey makes a post pass to Yao at the outer left edge. With Sonics' center Jerome James defending, Yao knocks down a turnaround 12-footer. Yao now has 4 points (2-for-4), and gives Houston their first lead, 18-16.
0:34.5		Off an Eddie Griffin 3-pointer miss, Steve Francis gets the rebound at the left edge. With two Sonics now focusing on him thinking he's going to take the shot, Franchise flips a beauty of a no-look pass to Yao on the right side of the rim. Yao jumps and throws down a one-hand dunk with AUTHORITY! Through the roars of the crowd, you can tell a big part of the Seattle audience is Asian! Nice setup by Franchise! The Rockets lead 20-18.
2nd quarter - The Rockets lead the Sonics, by the close score of 20-18. Yao has 6 points on 3-for-5 shooting and 4 rebounds. Cato starts the second quarter.
4:01		Yao comes in late in the second quarter for Cato. Cato, like recent games, has performed proficiently. Cato has 6 points (3-for-3), 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Rockets lead only by 2 points, 36-34.
3:21	Intimidation	Sonics center Predrag Drobnjak rebounds a fade-away miss from Sonics sharpshooter Ray Allen. With only Yao between him and the rim, Drobnjak tries to put up a baby 3-foot hook shot over Yao, but Yao's menacing presence causes Drobnjak to airball! Yao gets the rebound, but he turns it over when Sonics small forward Rashard Lewis intercepts his outlet pass to James Posey. The result of this turnover unfortunately leads to a Ray Allen 3-pointer. The Sonics lead 37-39.
Halftime - After several lead changes in the second quarter, the Sonics have regained the lead, 47-46. Yao did not take a shot attempt in the second quarter, and he has 6 points (3-for-5) and 5 rebounds.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the third quarter.
8:44		Cat Mobley streaks down the left side on a 3-on-2 fast break. As Mobley nears the left elbow of the free throw line, he lobs a pass to the right of the rim, exactly where Yao is waiting. Yao leaps to air, PALMS the ball with his right hand and WHAMS it in with a DUNK!!! This makes the Asian contingent in the crowd get up and cheer for the phenom known as Yao even more! Even some of the Rockets players on the bench like Juaquin Hawkins are jostling with each other after seeing this incredible play!
6:58	Intimidation	Rashard Lewis gets a feed from the left baseline and works his way to the basket for the dunk. Three Rockets converge on him, Posey from behind, Griffin from the side, and Yao from the front. The result: Yao and company prove to be just too much, as Lewis misses the dunk! Great team defense by the Rockets!
3:02	Assist	Posey inbounds the ball to Yao in his favorite post position. Seeing his man out of position, JP uses Yao as a big screen and cuts to the baseline. Yao dishes to JP, who goes in for the reverse layup and scores as his shot is goaltended by Rashard Lewis. That's Yao first assist of the game. Amazingly, after Lewis goaltended the ball, Yao grabbed the ball in mid-air and threw another one down, two-handed with authority! The snap on the dunk was so powerful, Yao's teammates on the bench just shook their head in awe. The Rockets trail 62-63.
1:04		Cato checks in for Yao. Yao leaves with 8 points on 4-for-7 shooting. The Rockets trail 64-73.
4th quarter - The Sonics end the third quarter with a 20-8 run. The Sonics lead the Rockets, 68-78. After three quarters of play, Yao has 8 points (4-for-7 from the field), 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Cato starts the fourth quarter.
4:58		Yao checks in for Cato. The Sonics lead 88-77.
3:52	Assist	Yao gets the ball in the outer left edge post. As Sonics point guard Kevin Ollie comes in to double-team from the weakside, James Posey gets a step on his man and cuts through the paint. Yao finds him over the double-team defense, and JP lays it in for the easy two. Yao now has 8 points and 2 assists. The Rockets continue to trail 80-92.
2:53		With the Rockets trailing the Sonics 80-94, Cato checks in for Yao. Now we don't quite understand interim coach Larry Smith's strategy here. It's not like Yao is having a horrible game. At this point Yao is shooting 50% and is 4-for-8 from the field. For the past several games, we have been accustomed to Yao finishing games when they are relatively close.
0:00		Despite the late heroic efforts of Glen Rice (8 points in the last 2 minutes of play), the Rockets go on to lose 94-100. As noted above, to our puzzlement, Yao sat out most of the fourth quarter, playing for about only 2 minutes. Yao's stats for the game are: 8 points (4-for-8), 7 rebounds, and 2 assist. With this loss and Phoenix's win yesterday, the Rockets and Suns are tied once again for the eighth and final seed of the Western Conference.