Yao Takes Control As Rockets Fly Past Magic 100-95

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Saturday night was a battle of behemoths as arguably the best center in the NBA Eastern Conference faced off his counterpart in the Western Conference. This round went to the West as Houston Rockets center Yao Ming recorded a double-double to help lead his team past Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic 100-95. Although Howard did not have a bad game, it was no where near his best, and the crowd at the Amway Arena in Orlando watched the Magic winning streak at five games.

Houston came out of the blocks on fire, starting the game out 8-1, as Tracy McGrady hit a pair of treys each from 25 feet. The Rockets kept the hot hand the rest of the period, and were up 25-17 at the end of the quarter. Orlando surged back in the second and took the lead at 45-44 when Rashard Lewis hit a trey with 2:44 in the half. The lead would volley back and forth for the rest of the period, but the Magic walked into the locker room ahead 53-51. The entire third quarter was tightly contested, and Houston would hold a 73-71 advantage heading into the final quarter. The fourth kept seeing the lead change hands until with 5:56 Ron Artest hit a trey making it 86-83. The Rockets would never surrender the lead for the rest of the game.

Yao Ming scored a game high 22 points, grabbed 13 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block in the Houston victory. Rafer Alston had 17 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, T-Mac also put in 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists. Ron Artest dropped 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, Carl Landry added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists.

Jameer Nelson led the way for Orlando with 21 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds. Rashard Lewis put in 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, Dwight Howard contributed 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks. J.J. Redick came off the bench and added 13 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound. Houston with the victory improves to 9-5, Orlando is 9-4.

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