Rockets Beat Heat; Wade Injures Shoulder
The Houston Rockets started strong (63 to 48 at halftime lead); and, despite 11 second-half turnovers, defeated the Miami Heat 112 to 102 in front of sold-out Toyota Center crowd.
Houston (34-19) pushed its halftime lead to 18 early in the third quarter before Dwyane Wade helped Miami (26-27) trim the Rockets' lead to nine (72 to 63) with 6:17 left in the third period. Miami would get as close as seven (82 to 75) during the period; but, Rafer Alston made a three-point shot; forward Chuck Hayes split two free throws; and Bonzi Wells swished a seventy foot shot as the third quarter expired to give Houston an 89 to 75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Miami began the fourth quarter with an 8 to 2 run to pull within eight points (91 to 83); however, Wade suffered an injury to his left shoulder during the run and left the ball game and did not return.
Tracy McGrady scored six points during a 12 to 5 run to put the Rockets ahead 103 to 88 with 6:11 left in the game.
The Heat made one final push by getting the ball down low to Shaquille O'Neal and playing trapping defense. Miami got as close as seven points (109 to 102) with 1:29 left in the game; but, Miami did not score again as Juwan Howard (one made free throw) and Battier (two made free throws) scored to close out the scoring.
Houston made a season-high 15 3-point field goals (.500, 15-30 3FG) tonight, surpassing the previous high of 14 set vs. Memphis (12/31/06). The Rockets were also 40-of-79 (.506) overall from the field, which was the third time this season where Houston has connected on .500 or better in each category in the same game.
Tracy McGrady finished the night with 32 points and a team-high eight assists. He now has 13 of his 15 30-point games (6 consecutive: 12/29/06-1/8/07) since Yao Ming went down with an injury vs. the L.A. Clippers (12/23/06).
Rafer Alston recorded 20 points tonight, marking his seventh 20-point game of the season. Alston also set his career high in 3-pointers made (6) and matched his career best in 3-point attempts (10). His previous high for treys was five done six times, which included three times as a member of the Rockets.
Dikembe Mutombo pulled down 10 of his team-high 13 rebounds in the first half of tonight's game.
Dwyane Wade had 27 points and nine assists before leaving the game injured. It marked Wade's 20th consecutive game of scoring 20 or more points, extending his current franchise record.
Shaquille O'Neal grabbed a season-best 16 rebounds tonight, surpassing his previous high of 10 set against Houston at Miami (11/12/06). O'Neal added 20 points for his second double-double of the season, as both have now come against the Rockets (15 points, 10 rebounds on 11/12/06).
Houston (34-19) pushed its halftime lead to 18 early in the third quarter before Dwyane Wade helped Miami (26-27) trim the Rockets' lead to nine (72 to 63) with 6:17 left in the third period. Miami would get as close as seven (82 to 75) during the period; but, Rafer Alston made a three-point shot; forward Chuck Hayes split two free throws; and Bonzi Wells swished a seventy foot shot as the third quarter expired to give Houston an 89 to 75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Miami began the fourth quarter with an 8 to 2 run to pull within eight points (91 to 83); however, Wade suffered an injury to his left shoulder during the run and left the ball game and did not return.
Tracy McGrady scored six points during a 12 to 5 run to put the Rockets ahead 103 to 88 with 6:11 left in the game.
The Heat made one final push by getting the ball down low to Shaquille O'Neal and playing trapping defense. Miami got as close as seven points (109 to 102) with 1:29 left in the game; but, Miami did not score again as Juwan Howard (one made free throw) and Battier (two made free throws) scored to close out the scoring.
Houston made a season-high 15 3-point field goals (.500, 15-30 3FG) tonight, surpassing the previous high of 14 set vs. Memphis (12/31/06). The Rockets were also 40-of-79 (.506) overall from the field, which was the third time this season where Houston has connected on .500 or better in each category in the same game.
Tracy McGrady finished the night with 32 points and a team-high eight assists. He now has 13 of his 15 30-point games (6 consecutive: 12/29/06-1/8/07) since Yao Ming went down with an injury vs. the L.A. Clippers (12/23/06).
Rafer Alston recorded 20 points tonight, marking his seventh 20-point game of the season. Alston also set his career high in 3-pointers made (6) and matched his career best in 3-point attempts (10). His previous high for treys was five done six times, which included three times as a member of the Rockets.
Dikembe Mutombo pulled down 10 of his team-high 13 rebounds in the first half of tonight's game.
Dwyane Wade had 27 points and nine assists before leaving the game injured. It marked Wade's 20th consecutive game of scoring 20 or more points, extending his current franchise record.
Shaquille O'Neal grabbed a season-best 16 rebounds tonight, surpassing his previous high of 10 set against Houston at Miami (11/12/06). O'Neal added 20 points for his second double-double of the season, as both have now come against the Rockets (15 points, 10 rebounds on 11/12/06).
posted by Kris Gardner @ 11:46 PM
1 Comments:
At February 22, 2007 1:11 AM,
SORF said…
This was a great game for the Rockets. T-Mac started the game on a hot streak and the team followed. Miami never lead after the Rockets sank their first basket. Rafer "Skip" Alston had a great game, and my favorite shot was from a fellow MCHS alumni, Bonzi Wells...his first 3 pointer as a Rocket and it was a doozy...as Kris said a seventy footer...from the top of the three point line on the Miami's side of the court. Way to go Bearcat Bonzi! And great game Rockets.
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