1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Murbury: It was a blessing from God (AZ Central)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Free Agent, Nov 16, 2002.

  1. Free Agent

    Free Agent Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2002
    Messages:
    2,116
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sheesh...no wonder we lost. It wasn't Rudy's fault. God blessed Marbury and Suns. No defensive strategy can stop God's blessings. So go away bashers.

    Suns slip past Rockets
    Marbury's clutch shot is game winner


    Bob Young
    The Arizona Republic
    Nov. 16, 2002 12:00 AM

    Yao Ming was the big story at America West Arena on Friday night, which is what you'd expect from somebody who is 7 feet, 6 inches tall.


    But it was one of the smallest guys on the court who made the difference in the Suns' heart-pounding, 88-87 victory over Yao and the Rockets.

    Stephon Marbury, who had struggled offensively all night but had played stingy defense against Rockets star Steve Francis, hit a running shot high off the glass with 6.3 seconds to play to give the Suns the victory.

    "We knew it was coming," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We talked about it. Our help came over, but he made a great, great shot. He didn't get all the way to the basket, so he made a runner, and that's a big-time shot."

    Houston's Eddie Griffin had a chance to spoil Marbury's moment, but his three-point shot just before the final buzzer was off the mark, and the Suns extended their winning streak to four games.

    "It was a blessing from God," Marbury said of the shot.

    Francis came into the game ranked second in the league in scoring at 30.3 points a game and had scored at least 30 points in his past three games. His backcourt partner, Cuttino Mobley was averaging 20.8 points a game.

    Francis made only 5 of 18 shots and finished with 16 points. Mobley had 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting with Penny Hardaway defending him.

    "They're two of the best guards in the league, and we did a really good job on them," Hardaway said. "In the past, I can remember nightmares trying to guard Cuttino Mobley because he's so fast. Same thing with Steve Francis. We did a better job."

    On Houston's final possession, the Rockets predictably went to the guy they call "Stevie Franchise," but Marbury cut him off on a drive in the lane, and he gave the ball up to Griffin, who had a good look at the basket but missed.

    "Steve Francis is a great player," Marbury said. "It was our night defensively, our whole team."

    The Rockets went the final 2:56 without scoring.

    Shawn Marion led the Suns with 27 points, and Hardaway added 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

    "We're getting better," Hardaway said. "We're winning ugly. We're squeaking them out.

    "It's our defense that's doing it. Our offense isn't clicking yet, but I'm just glad we got the win and kept our streak going."

    Marbury had his own offensive struggles, making only 6 of his 16 attempts, but he had 11 assists and a pair of steals.

    And he hit the shot that counted.

    "I think in those situations you have to go to the basket hard," he said. "That's what I did."

    Meanwhile, Yao, making his first appearance at America West Arena, had perhaps the best game in his brief NBA career. He played 14 effective minutes, making 5 of 6 shots for 10 points and three rebounds.

    He was good enough in the first half to earn the second-half start but did not return after leaving late in the third quarter.

    "Yao did a nice job," Suns coach Frank Johnson said. "We had Amare (Stoudemire) on him, and that was a tough matchup for Amare.

    "He's going to be pretty good. You have to stay into him (defensively), because if you give him any room, he can make the shot."
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now