Yao Helps Houston Rocket Past Hawks 108-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Yao Ming scored a game high 28 points, and the Houston Rockets shot 54.3% from the floor for the game as they easily defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks Saturday 108-89. The final score gives no indication of how Houston dominated this game. Houston led Atlanta by a 33 point margin after 3 quarters. The fourth period was the epitome of extended garbage time.?When you have Chuck Hayes come in for Yao, with 10:23 remaining in the game that says it all! You are in a blowout, one way or the other.

?Atlanta at times this season , have shown they can compete with anybody. This was not one of those nights. This game was Houston’s from beginning to end. The Rockets led 31-21 at the end of the first quarter, they increased their lead to 56-31 as the half grew mercifully to an end. For some strange reason the Hawks took the floor again in the third quarter.? Atlanta coach Mike Woodson, should have told his team to get dressed and get on the team bus at the end of the first half. But apparently he really wanted to punish them as they came back and fell behind 88-55 after three quarters. As I wrote at the top the fourth? quarter was just extended garbage time.

Yao shot 12 -17 from the floor, 4-4 from the line for his game high 28 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal. Tracy McGrady looked like he was recovered with his bout from the flu, scored 15 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, Luis Scola scored 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal. Bonzi Wells came off the bench and scored 11 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, Rafer Alston scored 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block.

Josh Childress came off the bench to lead Atlanta, as he shot 4-7 from the floor, 10-11 from the line for 18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal. Zaza Pachulia also came off the bench scoring 11 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal. They were the only two players from the Hawks to score in double figures. Houston with the victory is now 30-20, while Atlanta sits at 21-26.

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