May

5

Yao Helps Rockets Soar Past Lakers 100-92

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap, NBA PLAYOFFS 

To be honest, I cannot distinguish as to whether the Houston Rockets are a finesse team or a physical team, by nature.  Maybe it depends on the matchups in question, either during the regular season or the playoffs.  Nonetheless, the Rockets had their hands full as their opponent on Monday night was the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.  Apparently, they chose to be physical and it worked for them as Yao scored 28 points in leading Houston past Los Angeles 100-92; the win gives the Rockets an early 1-0 lead in their series.

As previously mentioned, the game was physical, especially for the team from the Lone Star State as Shane Battier suffered a gash over his eye which required four stitches while Yao got his knee banged up.  Los Angeles trailed 59-50 with less than 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter after Houston’s Ron Artest drained a 3-pointer; Kobe Bryant managed to score 11 of the Lakers’ last 14 points which ended with the Rockets ahead 70-67 going into the final quarter.  Houston would subsequently pull away for the victory.

Houston’s high scorer was Yao with 28 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks while Ron Artest added 21 (including thre treys) with 3 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal; Aaron Brooks poured in 19 with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.

Bryant led the Los Angeles attack with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Pau Gasol added 14 with 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block.  Houston plays Los Angeles again on Wednesday night at Staples Center.


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