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Yao vs. Clippers - 12/19/03
 Yao Ming is fouled from behind by the Los Angeles Clippers' Corey Maggette. Yao had a monster game, scoring 21 points, racking up 10 rebounds, rejecting 5 shots, and doling out 4 assists. The Rockets won 99-85, and upped their record to 15-10. (Photo courtesy AP) |
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FRIDAY, 12/19/03 - Finally the Rockets had a dominating game. They haven't had one of those since November 24th, which came against the same LA Clipper team they defeated on Friday night, 99-85. It was a good thing, too, since this was a game the Rockets had to win. It was a home game, and the Clippers (10-11) are one of only three Western Conference teams right now with a losing record.
Yao had a wonderful performance, recording his 12th double-double of the season. He scored 21 points (9-of-13), had 10 boards, 5 blocks, and 4 assists. Fantasy league owners who have Yao on their teams love those kinds of stats. I ought to know--I'm one of them. Honestly, though, Yao easily could have had 30+ points since the Rockets had a huge 82-67 heading into the fourth quarter, but he only took 2 shots in the final quarter. A 30-point game would have definitely turned a few heads around the league since Yao's highest point total for a game this season has been 22 (against Detroit) and he is "only" averaging 16.1 points a game this season. Yao definitely got respect from Clipper coach Mike Dunleavy. Maybe this quote from Dunleavy after the game will earn Yao some props from those people who think Yao is not living up to expectations this season: "He is a terrific player. He did everything they wanted him to do. He is probably one of the top five centers in the world." The rest of the Rockets played extremely well, shooting 49.4% from the field and making 39 field goals, a season-high, due to lots of layups and easy baskets. In fact, they pulled a play out of last year's playbook that we have missed so much this season. You guessed it: a half-court alley-oop play! (Not an alley-oop that was spontaneous on a fast break that we have been seeing recently). Francis penetrated the lane and threw one up to Cato to the right of the rim, and Cato slammed it home! The Rockets also had 21 assists. We also loved the 9 blocks and 7-of-18 shooting from three-point territory. Cuttino Mobley continues to play very well, scoring 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, and grabbing 7 rebounds. Now the Rockets head to Phoenix and play on Saturday against the Suns, one of the other teams in the West with a losing record (9-17). You can bet Yao will be fired up to show the Suns who should have been Rookie of the Year last year. Too bad Amare Stoudemire won't be playing on Saturday because of an injury. Note: Unfortunately, I had technical difficulties with my VCR so I won't be able to provide my Detailed Yao Analysis like I usually do. DOH! What are the odds of that happening? Yao has an awesome game, and I can't give you all the details like I normally do! However, I have tried to give a short synopsis below from the few notes I was able to take from the game. The good news is that you won't have to wait long until you get the next DYA since the Rockets play the Suns on Saturday night. |
| 1st quarter | ||
| 10:17 |  |
Yao makes a 16-foot baseline jumper on the right side. The Rockets lead 6-2. Yao is 1-for-1 from the field with 2 points. |
| 9:12 | Free Throws |
Yao is fouled by Corey Maggette and goes to the line, but he misses both free throws! He is now 0-for-2 from the field. |
| 7:49 | Free Throws |
Yao is fouled by Elton Brand and goes to the line. He misses the first attempt (that's 3 misses in a row), but he makes the second one. Yao is now 1-for-3 from the line, and has 3 points. The Rockets lead 9-4, though. |
| 7:20 |  |
Yao makes a fallaway jumper just outside the right edge of the lane. Yao is now 2-for-2 from the field and has 5 points. The Rockets lead 11-6. |
| 4:09 |   |
Yao misses a layup! However, he grabs the rebound and puts it back in for the score. Yao is now 3-for-4 from the field with 7 points. The Rockets lead 9-8. |
| 2:57 | Free Throws |
Yao is fouled by the Clippers' Chris Kaman. Yao goes to the line and makes both free throws. Yao is now 3-for-6 from the line, and has 9 points. The Rockets lead 24-13. |
| 2:16 |  |
From the top of the key, Jim Jackson shoots a jump shot that misses. The rebound comes down between Yao and a Clipper just below the free throw line. The ball comes loose, and Yao bends down to pick it up at the free throw line, dribbles once and takes a huge step toward the lane, leaps and TOMAHAWK JAMS IT DOWN WITH AUTHORITY! WE LOVE YAO'S AGGRESSIVENESS THERE! Yao is now 4-for-5 from the field with 11 points. The Rockets lead 26-16. |
| 1:24 |  |
Yao blocks Clippers' center Chris Kaman. That is Yao's first block of the game. |
| 1:21 | Yao checks out of the game for Maurice Taylor. | |
| 2nd quarter - At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets lead 28-22. The Rockets are sizzling from the field, shooting 11-for-19 (58%). Yao has 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, and is 3-of-6 from the line. Yao does not start the quarter. | ||
| 9:36 | Yao checks back into the game for Kelvin Cato. | |
| 8:52 |  |
The Rockets lead 34-26. Yao misses a 15-foot jumper along the left baseline. He is now 4-for-6 from the field with 11 points. |
| 7:13 |  |
Yao makes a dunk! He now has 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. The Rockets lead 38-29. |
| 4:57 |  |
Steve Francis drives the lane and draws three Clippers to him, and while he is in mid-air dishes off to Yao, who is standing all by himself on the baseline. Yao then squares up and nails the baseline jumper! Yao is on fire on 6-of-8 shooting for 15 points! The Rockets lead 42-36. |
| 0:41 |  |
Yao scores on a layup, and the Rockets lead 49-41. Yao has 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. |
| 0:21 |  |
Yao blocks Bobby Simmons' shot. That's Yao's second blocked shot of the game. |
| 0:00 |  |
Yao blocks Elton Brand's layup attempt. That's Yao's third blocked shot of the game, and his second block in 21 seconds! |
| Halftime - The Rockets lead 51-41 at halftime. Yao has 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and has 3 blocks. The Rockets' torrid shooting continues after going 10-for-17 from the field in the second quarter (58%). | ||
| 3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter. | ||
| 10:13 |  |
Yao makes a layup, and is now 8-for-10 from the field with 19 points! |
| 8:32 |   |
The Clippers' Corey Maggette jacks up a three-pointer. The rebound comes down to the Clippers' Marko Jaric in the middle of the lane, and Jaric jumps up immediately and tries to lay it up in front of the rim, but Yao is there to swat it way toward the sideline just past the three-point line! Jim Jackson picks up the loose ball, passes it ahead to Steve Francis who streaks down the court, takes it to the hole, but then whips a pass backwards to the other side of the lane to Cuttino Mobley. Mobley jumps up high for the pass, then in one quick motion while in mid-air "touch" passes the ball to Yao WHO CAME RUNNING DOWN THE COURT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE IN FRONT OF THE RIM. YAO JUMPS UP HIGH AND THROWS IT DOWN WITH HIS RIGHT HAND! Yao was instrumental on both ends of the floor on that sequence. He is now 9-for-11 from the field with 21 points! The Rockets lead 60-48. |
| 7:18 |  |
Yao blocks Elton Brand's shot to record his 5th block of the game! |
| 4:12 | Yao checks out of the game and is replaced by Maurice Taylor. | |
| 4th quarter - Houston leads after three quarters 82-67. Their hot shooting continues, shooting 12-23 for the quarter (56% for the game). | ||
| 8:17 |  |
Yao catches an inbounds pass in the middle of the lane and immediately shoots a 7-foot jumper, but it rolls off the rim. He is now 9-for-12 from the field. The Rockets still lead 87-71, though. |
| 4:17 |  |
Yao shoots a fallaway jumper along the left edge of the lane, but it misses. He is 9-for-13 from the field, but the Rockets still hold a big 91-75 lead. |
| 3:39 | Yao checks out of the game for Kelvin Cato. The Rockets lead 93-77. | |
| 0:00 | The Rockets win the game 99-85, and Yao finishes with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting (3-for-6 from the line), 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 assists! The Rockets win 99-85. | |
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