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Rockets' defense, Yao shut down Sixers
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-07 11:23
PHILADELPHIA - Yao Ming scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and the Houston
Rockets held the Philadelphia 76ers without a field goal for more than 15
minutes in the second half in an 87-81 victory Monday night.
Houston Rockets
center Yao Ming (R) is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers forward Kyle Korver
during second quarter NBA action in Philadelphia February 6, 2006.
[Reuters] | Only free throws kept the Sixers in
this one after an incredible stretch of offensive ineptness. They did not score
from 4:41 in the third to 1:05 in the fourth — 15:36 overall — and nearly became
the second team in the last week to go without a field goal in the fourth
quarter after the Kings went 0-for-20 against Utah.
Philadelphia made 18 free throws during that stretch that remarkably allowed
them to hang on. The Sixers missed 14 straight shots in the quarter before
Iverson finally scored on a three-point play. Andre Iguodala followed with a 3
that made it 85-79, and Iverson added another basket, giving the Sixers three —
three! — in the quarter, but it was too late.
Iverson scored 32 points and went 20-for-24 from the line for the Sixers.
Chris Webber had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Samuel Dalembert grabbed 17
rebounds. The Sixers went 32-for-37 on free throws; the Rockets 17-for-23.
Rafer Alston scored 19 points and Tracy McGrady had 13 for the Rockets, who
won their fourth straight game. Yao's 27 are the most points he has scored since
returning five games ago after a 21-game layoff following toe surgery.
No teams gives the Sixers fits like Houston and it was no different this
time. The Rockets beat Philadelphia for the seventh straight time, 11 out of 13
in Philadelphia, and 22 of 26 overall.
Because of all the fouls, Houston had trouble pulling away in this one, even
with eight more field goals overall and five more 3-pointers.
Alston finally pushed the lead to double digits when he hit a 3 midway
through the fourth quarter, then added a jumper that made it 81-69. When
Dalembert sank two free throws, it cut the lead to 83-72 and gave the Sixers
their 18th straight point without a basket since Iguodala scored on a reverse
layup late in the third.
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