• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Mobley Leads Rockets Past Celtics 95-80

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 January 2004, 06:00 CST

Cuttino Mobley scored 24 points, and Yao Ming added 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets past the Boston Celtics 95-80 Wednesday night.

The Rockets won their third straight road game and eclipsed 90 points for the fourth game in a row, their longest such streak this season. All four games have come following an 85-66 loss to Detroit on Jan. 7 in which Houston tied a franchise low for points.

The Rockets, who entered ranked first in the NBA in opponents field-goal percentage, held Paul Pierce to a season-low four points on 1-of-10 shooting.

Mike James led the Celtics with 20 points, and Mark Blount added 14.

Ahead 47-42 at halftime, Houston opened up a 16-point lead late in the third quarter with a 14-4 run. Jimmy Jackson pushed the Rockets' lead to 57-45 with a 3-pointer, and Scott Padgett made it 64-48 with a 3-pointer with 5:41 left in the third.

Boston got as close as 82-68 with 5:21 left, but Mobley hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to give the Rockets an 88-70 lead.

Yao scored 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field in the first half as Houston built a 42-30 lead midway through the second quarter. Ahead 34-27, the Rockets pushed their lead to 12 with 5:34 left in the first half thanks to eight straight points from Yao, who scored on two layups, a dunk and a putback.

Notes:@ Before Wednesday night, Yao had averaged just 8.3 points in three career games against Boston. ... Rockets forward Kelvin Cato was scratched from the starting lineup and did not play because of a sprained left foot. ... Houston improved to 14-1 when shooting above 45 percent from the field. ... Celtics forward Vin Baker suited up but did not play for the second straight game following his return from a three-game suspension. ... Pierce, last week's Eastern Conference Player of the Week, is the only player in the NBA to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists.

More News in this Category