Yao Leads Surging Rockets To 102-84 Victory Over Blazers By DENNIS L. SILVA, II. 3.5.06 Games such as these are starting to become the norm for Yao Ming. Gone are the days where Rockets loyalists begged for Yao to grab just 10 boards in a game. Now, he is averaging 10 boards a night, as well as displaying an interior dominance that had been absent in recent memory. Aside from a lethargic second quarter, the Rockets ran all over the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday night, ignited by Yao’s 32 points and 13 rebounds in a 102-84 victory at Toyota Center. Early on, it appeared that Houston would have no problem disposing the young Blazers. The Rockets used a late 18-4 run in the first quarter to push their advantage to 25-12. Tracy McGrady (18 points, 3 assists) experienced flashbacks to last season, as he scored 12 points in the quarter behind an assortment of long jump shots and slashing moves to the basket. Houston’s offense was efficient as the ball hopped eagerly from player to player, determined to get the best shot possible. That efficiency disappeared in the second quarter, where Portland doubled Houston’s output in the period, 28-14. Blazers guard Steve Blake (23 points, 4-6 from 3-point range) awakened what had been a distraught Portland offense and nailed three 3-pointers. Forwards Zach Randolph (15 points, 8 rebounds) and Darius Miles scored easy baskets inside, slicing through a Rockets interior defense that seemed immune to closing the lane. The Blazers ended the half on a 23-8 scoring spree as Houston went more than five minutes without a field goal, making way for Portland’s 40-39 edge at the break. Houston then gave Portland a dose of its own medicine. Yao emerged as an offensive beast in the third period, scoring 17 points in the quarter on an array of jump hooks and difficult lay-ups inside. After starting the game shooting 1-7 from the floor, Yao finished the game 9-14. His aggressiveness set the tone for a 37-point quarter for the Rockets, destroying the Blazers at all angles- David Wesley and Luther Head nailed threes, and Juwan Howard (11 points, 11 rebounds) scored inside and out. From that point, Portland had no answer as Houston’s lead would reach its peak of 22 (92-70) midway through the fourth quarter. The Rockets showed an impressive balance offensively, outscoring Portland 19-3 in transition and 50-18 in the paint. Houston has now won 12 of its last 16 contests and is knotted in a tie with Minnesota for 11th in the West. The Rockets meet the Wolves Tuesday night in Minnesota in a big game for both teams looking to snatch the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth from the Lakers. ROCKETS RECAP · Rafer Alston finished with 6 assists and only 1 turnover. · The Rockets out-rebounded Portland 47-37. · Houston assisted on 23 of its 37 baskets. · McGrady left the game late in the third period, possibly due to inflammation of his back. · Houston set season records by holding Portland to only 12 points in a quarter, as well as the Rockets scoring a season-high 37 points in the third. http://www.nba.com/games/20060305/PORHOU/boxscore.html?nav=scoreboardhome
