I just hope the Rockets continue to play this way for good. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/ap/20021204/ap-spurs-rocketsfolo.html Rockets 89, Spurs 75 By MICHAEL A. LUTZ, AP Sports Writer December 4, 2002 HOUSTON (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs manhandled the Houston Rockets last season when they swept the four-game series. Now, the Spurs have to worry about being swept. ADVERTISEMENT Yao Ming scored 27 points and had a season-high 18 rebounds to lead the Rockets to an 89-75 victory over their in-state rivals Tuesday night. ``It's (rivalry) always been there,'' Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ``I think with Yao here, it will lead to better basketball because he's going to stoke their team.'' Hakeem Olajuwon is retired. but Yao is giving the Rockets new hope. ``I think he's going to sleep good tonight,'' Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. ``I feel blessed. Regardless of the result of the game, we've got a direction. We have a versatile presence inside.'' Yao's highlights included a first-quarter jumper over Robinson and Duncan, drawing a foul from Robinson, a pass to Moochie Norris for an easy layup, and with 3:04 to go, grabbing a miss by Steve Francis and slamming it home. ``It might have been because I knew I was going up against two great centers,'' Yao said, explaining his performance. ``When I first got to the NBA I had a lot to think about. To get this victory, it's like being able to take a deep breath.'' The Rockets trailed 64-61 going into the fourth quarter. But they quickly regained the lead and won going away as the Spurs went scoreless over the final 2:43. ``He played great. He was all over the boards,'' Robinson said of Yao. ``He shot the ball well and he moved the ball around with his passing. He was a handful. He was the difference in the game.'' Duncan had 25 points and 12 boards for the Spurs, while former Rocket Kevin Willis added 12 points. ``He's different,'' Willis said of Yao. ``He's mobile and can run the court and he's not awkward. The guy is just big and he's a great talent. He has a nice touch. You've got to keep a body on him. He played very well.'' Houston built a 49-39 halftime lead on first-half shooting of Yao and Norris, but that 10-point edge faded in a 16-4 run by San Antonio to start the third quarter. Duncan scored eight straight points, and his two free throws gave the Spurs a 55-53 lead with 5:35 to go in the quarter. Yao had 17 points by halftime and Norris scored 12 second-quarter points to help the Rockets to their 10-point halftime lead. ``Defense carried us,'' Tomjanovich said. ``We did a good job going one on one (defensively), breaking their rhythm, defending the 3-point line. Mo (Taylor) and Kenny (Thomas) did a good job hanging with Duncan. He's so good. He's as good as there is.'' The Spurs had only 11 points in the fourth quarter. ``We shot poorly in the fourth,'' Popovich said. ``I thought a lot of ways we played well. We had fewer turnovers and got to the free-throw line more than they did. On the road, that's normally what you need to win, but when you shoot34 per cent for the game that isn't going to get it done.'' Notes The Rockets' bench has scored at least 20 points in 10 straight games, including 40 against the Spurs. They have outscored their counterparts seven times. ... Yao and Duncan are among six players born outside the United States to be selected first overall in the NBA draft. ... Tomjanovich needs one morevictory to tie Alex Hannum for 24th on the all-time victory list with 471.
