Sports/Olympics / Chinese Stars Abroad
Without McGrady, Yao leads Rockets over Warriors
by AP
Updated: 2006-02-25 14:31
HOUSTON - Yao Ming knows that when Tracy McGrady is out, even more is
expected of him.
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (11) goes above Golden State Warriors
defenders Monta Ellis (8) and Troy Murphy (1) for two points in the first
half in NBA basketball action Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, in Houston. [AP]
Lucky for the Houston Rockets, he was up to the challenge on Friday night.
Yao scored 22 points and had a season-high 21 rebounds and the Rockets
beat the Golden State Warriors 91-88 for their first win this season
without McGrady. Juwan Howard also added 22 points for Houston.
McGrady was not with the team because of a death in the family, but
Houston still won its season-high fourth straight at home. The Rockets
had been 0-13 when their leading scorer didn't play.
"When Tracy is out of the game, it's really hard for us to get open
shots," Yao said. "That puts more pressure on me and I had to play much
harder."
Jason Richardson, who had a season-high 39 points, had a chance to put
the Warriors on top with 2 seconds left. But Yao put heavy pressure on
his 3-point attempt, and it bounced off the glass. David Wesley was
fouled and made one of two free throws to secure the win.
The Rockets led by as many as 15, but squandered that lead and had to
overcome a six-point fourth-quarter deficit for the win. It was their
ninth win in 11 outings.
"I don't think our execution was very good," Wesley said. "Our shot
selection wasn't very good and, obviously, we were not defending."
Keith Bogans, acquired from Charlotte on Feb. 9, got his first start with
Houston in McGrady's place and scored 13 points.
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was pleased with Bogans' effort, but said he
was not in the condition to play 41 minutes Friday.
"He played a great game," Van Gundy said. "I do love Keith's competitive
nature. We sorely missed those kind of personalities. We need guys who
have an edge to them."
Another thing the Rockets need is tough defense, something that Van Gundy
believes Yao brings to the team.
Page: 1 2
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� Coal output set to reach record high of 2.5b tons
� EU likely to impose tax on imports of Chinese shoes
� Bankers confident about future growth
� Gov't: China can't pay more for iron ore
� US senators to visit China to talk trade
Top Sport News
� Yao Ming validates his all-star accolades
� Dementieva stuns Henin to set up Sharapova clash
� Artest returns to Indiana in a defeat
Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin online, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment