Quote of the night goes to Al Harrington when asked about Yao's performance, "I thought Yao played more aggressive, and it seemed like he was pissed off because he hadn't had success against us and he really showed it."
------------ FINAL, HOU111-107----------
- Warriors lead for the first time tonight on a long 3 from Baron Davis, who was 1-7 from downtown prior to that one. Yao hits a couple of FT to get it back. He's 10-11. (HOU 103-102, 1:35 4th)- If not for his toe on the line, Al Harrington would've just tied the game up with a long jumper. The Rockets maintain a 1-pt lead, 100-99, they haven't scored in about 2 minutes - which doesn't sound like much but it's an eternity against the Warriors. Harrington has 10 pts in the quarter after popping just 4 through 3 quarters. After Novak missed a couple of jumpers, Adelman finally yanked him in favor of Scola. (HOU 100-99, 2:51 4th)
- Alston already has a season high assist total with 11, tipping one of his missed tear drops to Yao for a lay-up. Novak has yet to miss hitting a pair for threes and a long jumper. The Rockets have had an answer for every run so far; still 4:30 to go. (HOU 100-92, 4:30 4th)
- Novak still hot from the other night, Adelman called a play for him coming off a screen and he drained an 18-footer. Next possession he got open from downtown and nailed his 6th straight shot in 3 nights. I'll let you know when he even touches the rim with a shot. (HOU 88-74, 10:50 4th)
- Bad news in b/w quarters, the mascots from the downtown aquarium held a footrace and the shark, no I'm sorry the frog pushed the white tiger to the ground. The tiger's head came off and the human inside went down hard and did not get up. Looked like she hit her face very hard on the court. Dikembe summoned Keith Jones and in he went to take a look. The game will be delayed. It is a serious injury. Here comes the stretcher. Totally serious. And she walks off. Good news, let's play ball. (Photo credit - Adam Clanton, former SportsRadio 610 superstar)
------------ End of 3rd, HOU 83-72----------- Warriors open the half hitting 9-16 shots to draw within 4, 75-71. Adelman counters with Novak. He probably figures if no one else is playing defense - why not go with Novak. Maybe he'll catch lightning in a bottle for a 2nd straight game. (HOU 75-71, 2:41 3rd)
- 5 stitches to close a cut on Landry's lip. He'll return to the court in the second half.
- BTW - The Rocket's (Roger Clemens) defense team must be taking the night off - Rusty Hardin in his customary courtside seat for the first time that I can recall since all the Clemens stuff began.
- I assumed the Warriors would come out at least a little ticked off to start the 3rd quarter and they did. Just 2:03 into the half they'd cut the lead to just 9 for the first time since the first quarter. (HOU 62-53, 9:57 3rd)
At times they attempted to slow down Yao with double-teams, but they did absolutely nothing on the perimeter. Alston, Brooks, Head & James relentlessly attacked the bucket and even though they only shot 41%, they were so aggressive they have been able to maintain at least a double-figure lead since they first led by that much.
- Landry still hasn't returned, but there is a Mike James sighting as he checks in with just under 4 minutes before halftime. The first time James touched he drove hard to the hole - just like he should - but couldn't finish the lay-up. That is just how his season has gone. It is a good sign though, that Adelman must think James can still help this team down the road, b/c putting him in this game at the first chance he could indicates that. Well that or they are going to try to showcase him for trade. (HOU 52-42, 2:10 2nd)
- Carl Landry as usual giving all he can - is headed to the lockerroom with trainer Keith Jones. He slid across the floor in search of a loose ball and appeared to crack his mouth on one of the chairs in front of the Rockets bench. The Rockets led by 20 with 2:39 to go in the first and the lead is still 19 halfway thru the 2nd (HOU 45-26, 6:20 2nd)
------------ End of 1st, HOU 33-18----------
- That was about the most surprising first quarter I've seen all year here at Toyota Center. The Rockets blasted off literally, bolting out to a 23-6 lead by forcing the Warriors to take long, quick jumpers and then running and gunning. Rafer Alston was sensational, twice taking it coast-to-coast in traffic for two lay-ups. Yao had a double-double in the first 11 minutes of the game, posting 12 & 11 in the 1sy quarter. That's huge considering he scored just 10 in the 1st meeting this year and 16 the last time.----------WEX
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