YaoMingMania.com

Yao shoots over the Timberwolves' Rasho Nesterovic Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Despite Yao's double-double (12 points, 10 boards), the Rockets lost 103-89.

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The Rockets fantastic run of blowing out good teams consecutively (Minnesota & Sacramento) came to an end Tuesday night in Minneapolis when they couldn't stop the Minnesota Timberwolves (29-20) from beating them 103-89. Houston's record is now 26-21 and they only hold a 2.5 game lead over the Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets were able to keep it close until midway through the fourth quarter when the T-wolves went on a run to put it out of reach. We're not too upset about this loss because the Rockets continued to keep running their offense through Yao as they had done in their previous two victories. In fact, Minnesota TV play-by-play guy Tom Hanneman remarked: "The frightening thing about the Rockets is the light is finally coming on. Rudy T. has convinced his team, and they believe, "We are a better offensive club when we get the ball into Yao." Well, that made perfect sense to everyone the moment Yao stepped onto the court. But it has finally come to pass." One big factor in this game was that Minnesota's defense double-teamed Yao every chance they could get. So despite playing a season-high 40 minutes (mainly because of Kelvin Cato's injury), Yao only shot 7 times (made 4) and scored 12 points. He did have 3 assists to burn the defense on their double-teaming, but it wasn't enough. Add in Eddie Griffin's struggles from the field (3-for-14), and Francis making only 2 of his last 9 field goal attempts during the crucial fourth quarter, and that was the difference. Especially considering Minnesota made 55% of their shots, the best shooting night against the Rockets this season. Because Houston's defense has been more stable than it's offense this year, we think it will be very difficult for any team to shoot anywhere close to that percentage in a 5-game or 7-game playoff series. So we're not too bent-out-of-shape about this loss, especialy considering the T-wolves have won 8 of their last 10 games and are 19-5 at home. Sure, it would have been great if the Rockets had kept more distance between themselves and the Lakers, who are on a roll. But if the Rockets lose to a team like the Cavaliers (worst record in the league at 9-40) on Wednesday night, then we'll go bonkers.

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Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 2/4/03

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
1:58		Yao finally gets the ball on the left side of the lane just outside the paint. The Minnesota defense collapses around him as he makes his move into the lane. With nowhere to go, Yao leans across the lane to get away from the three T-wolves around him, and puts up a low hook shot around Rasho Nesterovic. The ball bounces off the back iron, then bounces high off the glass, and comes down for the bucket! Nice soft touch on this very difficult, acrobatic shot! This was the first shot Yao had taken in the first 10 minutes of the game. Yao is 1-for-1 from the field. The Rockets trail 21-22. Minnesota TV analyst Mychal Thompson states: "Unbelievable: 9 minutes [really 10] into the game and he hasn't taken a shot."
2nd quarter - The Rockets rest Yao at the start of the quarter with Jason Collier playing in his place.
6:43		Yao checks into the game for Collier.
6:07	Assist	Yao receives the ball on the left wing and is double-teamed as soon as he gets the ball. As he holds the ball over his head, he is being hassled and appears to be trapped. Seeing Yao doesn't have any place to go without drawing a charge, Francis curls around Yao on the sideline AND YAO DUMPS THE BALL TO FRANCIS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SCREENING OFF STEVE'S MAN, AND FRANCIS DRIVES ALONG THE BASELINE TO THE HOOP FOR THE JAM! Great teamwork by Francis and Yao. These guys are really getting to know each other well. If this same play happens again on Sunday in Atlanta when Yao and Steve are playing in the All-Star game, the announcers will be marveling how in sync these guys are now playing. The Rockets trail 31-34.
5:01		Gary Trent drives into the lane on Yao and puts up a jump shot, but it's partially deflected by Yao. That's Yao's first block of the game.
4:36		From the right elbow of the free throw line, Francis dumps the ball to Yao in the middle of the paint. Guarded by Garnett, Yao fakes, then takes one step back, falls away, puts up a high arcing shot, AND SWISH! What a thing of beauty the way the ball floated down from the heavens and ripped the cords! The Rockets trail 35-38.
2:14		The Rockets do a great job of moving the ball around on this possession. Finally, Eddie Griffin finds Yao down low and passes him the ball. In one fluid motion after receiving the ball on the right edge of the paint, Yao catches it, turns and with his right hand banks it off the glass for the bucket! Great pump fake by Eddie to draw Kevin Garnett toward him and away from Yao.
:51	Assist	From the right side of the court just outside the middle of the lane, Yao has the ball and stands there while Francis curls around him for the screen. Yao then turns toward the basket and throws a perfect pass to Francis underneath the basket, and Francis puts up a reverse layup off the glass! Great teamwork again between Yao and Steve! The Rockets tie it at 43. Thompson says, "What a great pass by the big fella!"
Halftime - The game is tied at 45. Yao has 6 points.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
11:44		Francis drives, stops, jumps up in the air, and with no shot available passes the ball back to Yao who is standing at the top of the key. All alone, Yao decides to go for it. He launches a bomb from the top of the key AND HITS IT! This is one of the longest shots Yao has made all year! He was only about 3 feet inside the 3-point line! It's unbelievable how Yao has NOT lost his outside touch since almost all the shots he takes are much closer to the basket. Yao has 8 points on 4-for-4 shooting!
7:49	Great pass!	Yao is zipped the ball at the top of the key and immediately zips a perfect high pass to Eddie Griffin, standing underneath the rim, above the outstretched arms of Kevin Garnett. Griffin is fouled as he goes up for the shot. Both Yao and Griffin give each other high-fives on the perfect connection.
:01		Yao checks out of the game with one second left in the quarter. He has 8 points after 31 minutes of play.
4th quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
8:55		Yao checks into the game for Collier. The Rockets trail 75-82.
6:45	Free Throws	Yao is fouled going for an offensive rebound. Yao makes both free throws for his 9th and 10th point, and closes the gap to 81-89.
1:21	+ Free Throws	Yao misses an ally-oop dunk attempt which was difficult to convert, but he gets the rebound and is fouled. Yao makes both free throws, and has 12 points. He is 4-for-4 from the line. The Rockets go on to lose 103-89. Yao plays until the end of the game and also finishes with 10 rebounds.