Houston Cools Off Suns 101-90

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Wednesday night the Houston Rockets won without Tracy McGrady. Friday night they won without Shane Battier. They have been playing for months now without center Yao Ming, but some how they keep finding guys to step up, and keep on winning their latest victory coming Friday night, as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 101-90. It was the Rockets fifth straight win.

The two teams played it tight in the first quarter, as Houston led by a razor thin 29-28 margin. But the Rockets blasted off in the second quarter, as they held a 59-47 lead as the two teams went into their respective locker rooms at the half. Houston increased their lead to 82-66 at the end of the third quarter. Even though the Suns outscored Houston in the final quarter 24-19, it was far too little too late and the Rockets walked out with an easy victory.

The Rockets shot 51.1% (45-88) from the floor for the game. Leading the way was Tracy McGrady who scored 22 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, despite playing with a sore shoulder. Luis Scola in the starting lineup scored 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, Carl Landry scored 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists. Bobby Jackson scored 13 points, 4 rebounds.

Phoenix was led by Amare Stoudemire, who recorded a double-double 37 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 assist. A revitalized Shaquille O’Neal had a double-double, as he scored 16 points, 11 boards, 4 assists, 1 block, Leandro Barbosa scored 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block. Gordan Giricek scored 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. Houston is now 54-25, Phoenix 53-27.

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