Sun 30 Dec 2007
Yao’s 17 Second-Half Points Push Rockets Past Raptors 91-79
Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main
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If Houston Rockets center Yao Ming can produce like he did tonight while suffering from the flu, then perhaps the medical staff should hide his Vitamin C and antibiotics.? Ming scored 17 second-half points, leading Houston over the Toronto Raptors 91-79 Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
One symptom which gave you the hint that Ming was suffering was that he turned the ball over 8 times - 7 of those in the first half.? Both teams struggled in the first quarter, with Houston hitting only 33 percent from the field and Toronto going 7-of-24 (29 percent).? They were tied at 19 heading to the second.? The game was back and forth until the Raptors went on a 9-1 run to take a 40-34 lead with 1:36 left in the first half.? But the Rockets scored 5 points in the last 5 seconds of the half when guard Rafer Alston drained a 3-pointer then Shane Battier stole the ball and made a layup? to tie the score at 40 at halftime.
With Ming scoring 9 points and Alston adding 8 in the third quarter, Houston led by 7 with 2:52 left in the period.? But Toronto’s Chris Bosh had 8 points in the quarter and Jose Calderon and Jamerio Moon with 5 apiece pulled the Raptors to within 68-64 after 3 quarters of play.? Houston’s Ming would score 8 in the fourth quarter - including 4 straight free throws - to give Houston a game-clinching 85-75 lead with 2:29 left in the game.
Houston was led by Ming with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.? Alston added 18 and 5 assists, while Bonzi Wells pitched in with 13 and 10 boards.? Toronto was led by Bosh with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Calderon and Moon added 11 each.? Houston (15-15) remains home on their current homestand, hosting the Golden State Warriors Monday evening, while Toronto (16-15) travels to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Hornets - also on Monday night.
