No Yao? No Problem Houston Rockets Past Memphis 116-95

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Tracy McGrady had a game high 25 points, the Houston Rockets shot 50.6% from the floor for the game, and they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night handily by the score of 116-95. Dikembe Mutombo,?the 41 year old veteran center starting instead of Yao Ming who is lost for the season had a game high 13 rebounds, to go along with 4 points, and 4 blocked shots. Houston has now won 14 games in a row, and their second win since they lost Yao.

Somebody forgot to tell Houston they are not this good, and?if they did then the Rockets are paying no heed. This game really ended in the first quarter, as Houston broke out to a 37-17 lead. ?Memphis played pretty well the last three quarters, but they could never dig themselves out of the hole they created. The Rockets were ahead 60-41 as the two teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half.?Houston extended the lead?at?the end of the?third quarter to 91-70. Memphis was never a threat in the fourth.

McGrady scored 25 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in the victory for Houston. Three Rockets player scored 15 points each, Luis?Scola scored 15, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 assist, Luther Head came off the bench and scored 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Carl Landry also scored 15 points coming off the bench, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, Shane Battier scored 13 points, 7 boards, 4 blocks, 2 assists, 1 steal. Rafer Alston scored 11 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block.

Memphis was led by Javaris Crittenton who came off the bench and scored 22 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. Kyle Lowry also had a big game off the bench, as he scored 18 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, Juan Carlos Navarro scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. Rudy Gay also scored 11 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist. Houston is now 38-20, while the Grizzlies fall to 14-44.

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