Rockets hold on for victory over Lakers; Yao hits big free throws late
Sunday, February 6th, 2005
by John
Yao goes up against LA’s Lamar Odom on Sunday afternoon in a thriller of a game. Yao hit two big free throws to put the Rockets ahead 103-102 with 10 seconds remaining, and then held on for victory to win their fourth in a row, a season-high. Yao finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Click here for more photos from the game.
by John
SUNDAY, 2/6/05 - Not being overconfident, coming into Sunday’s game between the Rockets and Lakers I had a feeling that Houston had this game in the bag before it even started. After all, Houston was rolling after winning three games on the road. Meanwhile, the Lakers were still without Kobe because of an ankle injury, and they have to still be a bit discombobulated after Rudy Tomjanovich’s sudden departure as head coach earlier in the week.
Well, I was about 75% right that it would be an easy game for the Rockets. Houston had complete control of the game through three quarters, taking a 84-69 lead into the fourth quarter. But LA staged an improbable comeback by outscoring the Rockets 33-15 to take a 102-99 lead with 1:23 remaining. Lamar Odom took control of the game with 14 points in the fourth quarter. Meawhile, a once-confident Rockets team suddenly couldn’t hit a shot during the Lakers run, reminiscent of the struggling Rockets team from just a couple of months ago.
Yao goes up against LA’s Lamar Odom on Sunday afternoon in a thriller of a game. Yao hit two big free throws to put the Rockets ahead 103-102 with 10 seconds remaining, and then held on for victory to win their fourth in a row, a season-high. Yao finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Click here for more photos from the game.by John
SUNDAY, 2/6/05 - Not being overconfident, coming into Sunday’s game between the Rockets and Lakers I had a feeling that Houston had this game in the bag before it even started. After all, Houston was rolling after winning three games on the road. Meanwhile, the Lakers were still without Kobe because of an ankle injury, and they have to still be a bit discombobulated after Rudy Tomjanovich’s sudden departure as head coach earlier in the week.
Well, I was about 75% right that it would be an easy game for the Rockets. Houston had complete control of the game through three quarters, taking a 84-69 lead into the fourth quarter. But LA staged an improbable comeback by outscoring the Rockets 33-15 to take a 102-99 lead with 1:23 remaining. Lamar Odom took control of the game with 14 points in the fourth quarter. Meawhile, a once-confident Rockets team suddenly couldn’t hit a shot during the Lakers run, reminiscent of the struggling Rockets team from just a couple of months ago.
