Houston Rockets Win Again!
3/5/2006 Houston-- Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy believes Yao Ming has improved his all-around game. Yao showed some of that Sunday as he scored 32 points and had 13 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers for the ninth straight time, 102-84 Sunday night. Yao had his team-leading 21st double-double, including 17 points in the third quarter, to help rally the Rockets from one point down at the half.
"I think he is the best regular-season center in the NBA now," Van Gundy said. "Some other guys may play better in the playoffs, but he's the best during the season because he comes to play every night." It continued an impressive stretch for Yao, who has averaged 23.3 points and 13.3 rebounds the last 11 games and has had double-doubles in seven of the last nine.
Forward Tracy McGrady left in the third quarter due to recurring problems with his back and did not return. McGrady, who had 18 points before leaving with 1:29 remaining in the third, has missed a total of 18 games in three stretches due to back spasms.
The Trail Blazers, whose last win in this series was Nov. 21, 2003, at home, have lost eight of their last nine and 12 of 14. Steve Blake scored a career high 23 points.
Yao had a pair of three-point plays in the third quarter to help Houston take a 72-62 lead into the fourth. The Rockets outscored the Blazers 37-22 in the third, Houston's season-high output for a quarter. The Trail Blazers went on a 19-4 run in the second quarter, including three straight 3s by Blake, to take a 36-35 lead with 2:22 left in the half. Blake had 11 points in the quarter and Portland led 40-39 at the break.
McGrady had 12 points, equaling Portland's team total as the Rockets took a 25-12 lead into the second quarter. Juwan Howard added 11 points and 11 rebounds, Wesley had 12 points, and Alston had 7 points and 6 assists. Portland's first quarter output of 12 points was the fewest first-quarter points by a Houston opponent this season.
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