|
Yao scores 27 to Lead Rockets over Jazz 102-88
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-12 15:27
HOUSTON - Three nights after ripping his team for a bad loss, Houston coach
Jeff Van Gundy had plenty of nice things to say about the Rockets' 102-88 win
over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
 "I don't want to get painted as a negative quote. I want to be
positive," Van Gundy said, allowing a smile. "I'm a (glass) half-full type of
guy."
Yao Ming scored 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting and Rafer Alston had a
season-high 13 assists as the Rockets won for the fifth time in six games.
The loss in that stretch — 89-78 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday — had
Van Gundy steaming. He labeled the performance "passionless" and said it turned
his stomach.
He was in a much better mood after the Rockets shot 49 percent (40-of-81)
with the help of 27 assists. The shooting percentage was Houston's best in more
than a month.
"Because of how uninspired we were against the Lakers, it's easy to forget we
won four in a row," Van Gundy said. "Winning tonight, we did some real good
things."
Tracy McGrady added 25 points to shake out of a slump and David Wesley scored
17.
McGrady had hit only 19 of 63 shots in Houston's last three games and scored
only points 11 in Wednesday's loss. He went 9-for-22 against the Jazz — not
great, but an improvement.
"I'm still not out of it," said McGrady, who went 2-for-5 from 3-point range.
"Regardless of how we played, I've got a lot going inside my head."
Milt Palacio scored 20 points and had six assists for the Jazz, who had won
four of their last five.
But Utah played in Minnesota on Friday and looked sluggish in Houston.
"We didn't show a great deal of toughness," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "We
were tired out there and we have to get into better shape."
|
