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Yao vs. Lakers - 2/18/03

Kobe Bryant shoots over Yao in a controversial play where Yao was called for his fifth personal foul, and Bryant converted on a three-point play. Without Shaq playing, the Lakers still managed to beat the Rockets in double-overtime 106-99.

Ho-hum. Another close game, another loss. Against the Lakers Tuesday night in LA, the Rockets made a comeback in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but they couldn't execute in the clutch and lost in double-overtime 106-99. The Rockets got jobbed with 29 seconds remaining in the first overtime when Yao was called for his sixth foul on an inbounds play where Mark Madsen won an Academy Award from the officials, which then gave the Lakers the opportunity to tie it.

The Rockets had other chances to win it against the Shaq-less Lakers, but they continue to show they don't have the mental goods to close the deal. As Charles Barkley said Tuesday night after the game: "Houston blew the game." Did you know the last time the Rockets won a close game against a quality opponent was over a month ago in the epic January 17th game against the Lakers?

The crevice in the Rockets' ego continues to widen after every loss now. Not only did they need a win to turn around their losing ways (3-9 over their last 12 games), but to also save their mental state. The Lakers now have tied the Rockets for the 8th and final playoff spot. During the telecast of the game, TNT analyst and former NY Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy remarked, "if you lose back-to-back to Miami and to the Lakers without Shaq, you have to start to really question if you belong in the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference."

What else can we say? We could point out plays like how Cuttino Mobley could easily have taken an easy stop-and-pop jumper to win it, but instead tried a much more difficult Jordanesque fadeaway jumper. But we're tired of talking about Houston's inability to execute in the clutch. It's also very late at night as I'm writing this because of the double OT game for a late West Coast start, so instead let's focus on the excellent play of Yao, who scored 24 on 9-of-14 shooting, 6-for-6 from the line, and had 14 rebounds. So I encourage you to read the Detailed Yao Analysis below if you want to see the silver lining in this loss.

Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. LA Lakers 2/18/03

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.

7:58 Yao has missed his first two shots, and the Rockets have missed 9 of their first 10 shots. From the right side outside of the paint, Yao headfakes Samaki Walker, then pivots a couple of times, then lofts a tough right-handed jump hook from the right edge of the lane, and it goes in! Yao has his first points for the evening. The Rockets trail 4-10.

TNT analyst and former NY Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy says, "That was great footwork...nice little play..."

5:01 Assist From the 3-point line on the right side, Francis passes the ball to Yao on the right block, then runs past Yao along the baseline as Yao drops the ball off to him, and Francis goes in for the layup!

3:42 Along the left edge of the lane, Yao dribbles twice towards the center of the lane, then pivots to his right and leans in a 9-footer off the glass for the score! The Rockets trail 14-16, and Yao is 2-for-5 from the field with 4 points.

1:25 Yao checks out of the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 14-20.

2nd quarter - The Rockets trail 16-25.

5:42 Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 30-34.

4:56 Mark Madsen drives the lane on Yao and puts up a wild off-balance shot, but Yao blocks it!

3:00 Out near the the elbow of the free throw line, Yao sets a pick for Francis, then Yao cuts toward the basket unimpeded. Francis goes up for a jump shot, but then throws a perfect lead pass to Yao underneath the basket instead. Yao easily goes up for the two-handed jam over Horry and Mark Madsen, and he's fouled! Yao makes the penalty free throw, and has 7 points on 3-of-7 shooting. The Rockets lead 39-34.

:28.8 Glen Rice throws a pass down to Yao in the middle of the paint, and Yao turns to his right and lays it in off the glass! Yao now has 9 points on 4-of-8 shooting. The Rockets lead 42-41. We are pleased Yao is getting the chance to shoot more often in this game!

Halftime - The Rockets lead 42-41.

3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.

4:45 Francis penetrates the lane from the left side, goes up for what's going to be a tough layup, but then dishes it off to Yao who is standing underneath the basket, AND THIS TIME WITH FOUR LAKERS AROUND HIM, YAO AGAIN GOES UP FOR THE TWO-HANDED SLAM! Yao is now 5-for-12 from the field with with 11 points, and the Rockets trail 48-57.

3:58 Yao gets the ball along the left edge of the paint, then goes up for a tough shot, and it goes in! Mike Fratello remarks that Yao has, "a nice feathery soft touch." Yao is 6-for-13 with 13 points.

2:52
Mobley drives to the hole but misses it off the glass, but Yao is there to try to tap the ball (which misses), but he gathers in the rebound and shoots a nice soft shot off the glass for the deuce! The Rockets trail 52-61. Yao is 7-for-15 with 15 points.

2:05 Kobe Bryant drives past his man and goes all the way to the bucket for a jam, and Yao comes over to help and tries to block it, but gets there too late. The LA crowd and bench goes crazy that Kobe supposedly "showed up" Yao by slamming it over him and continues to celebrate as the Rockets get set up in their half-court offense. The fact of the matter is that Yao could have bagged it and not tried to go after the block, but he's too competitive to just "let it go."

Fueled by the fact that the LA crowd is still celebrating at his expense, Yao gets the ball on the left side and SPINS AWAY FROM MADSEN, GOES BASELINE AND SLAMS IT HOME TWO-HANDED TO QUIET THE CROWD!! What's ironic is that Robert Horry was in the vicinity, but was too afraid to try to block Yao's dunk. At least we know Yao is braver than Horry.

Mike Fratello says, "I tell you what, you gotta like that youngster because, sure, Kobe was spectacular. But Yao, he heard the crowd like everybody else, he understood what just happened, he came right back to silence them!"

Yao is 8-for-16 from the field for 17 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets trail 54-64.

:33.5 Yao checks out for Cato with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and one block.

4th quarter - The Rockets trail 56-64.

7:36 Yao checks into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 62-74.

2:38 Free throws The Rockets have gone on a 13-3 run to pull to within a two-point deficit, 75-77. Yao once again gets the ball on the left side and spins baseline to go up for the jam with 3 Lakers converging around him, but he's fouled! Yao is being very aggressive tonight with the dunk attempts! Yao makes two clutch free throws to tie the score at 77! He now has 19 points.

1:57 Assist From the left block, Yao throws a bullet pass across the court to Francis in the coffin corner, and Steve drives baseline to the rack for a layup. The score is now tied 79-79.

:08.3 Free
Throws With the Rockets trailing 80-82, Mobley shoots a 3-pointer that misses, but Yao's long arms help him tap the ball away from Samaki Walker and Yao is fouled in the process of bringing the ball into his grasp. That means free throws, which he needs to make to tie the score...and he hits both of them! Yao is really showing how clutch of a player he really is, which we have been saying all along since October! Yao is 5-for-5 from the line with 21 points (8-for-16 from the field).

Jeff Van Gundy comments, "His demeanor allows him to play well in clutch situations. He's unflappable and he's poised."

The Rockets stop the Lakers on the ensuing possession, and the game goes into overtime.

Overtime - The score is tied 82-82.

2:47
+
Free
Throw Rockets lead 87-84. Yao dribbles several times on the edge of the lane trying to get good position with Samaki Walker guarding him, then drop-steps back to the baseline, leans in for the shot attempt, gets fouled, and the shot falls for the score! Yao pumps his fist with vigor! That's Walker's 6th foul, which knocks him out of the game. Mark Madsen comes in for Walker.

Yao makes the free throw and is a perfect 6-for-6 from the line, and has 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting. That's the 32nd time Yao has touched the ball in the low-post area. The Rockets now lead 88-84.

2:09 Bad call With the Rockets leading 88-84, Kobe Bryant drives to the hole on Yao (picture above), and Bryant makes the shot and Yao is called for the foul.

Jeff Van Gundy says, "That is no foul on Yao. He was straight up. Kobe Bryant initiated the contact. That's a bad, bad call in a tight game."

1:51 Assist Yao is dribbling along the left edge of the paint again, and this time throws another bullet to Francis in the corner who drains the three! The Rockets now lead 91-87!

:35.9 Turnover With the Rockets leading 91-89, Yao throws the ball out of bounds, and slaps his own head disgusted with himself.

:29.8 Kobe charges into Yao, and the ball goes back to the Rockets. Rockets still lead 91-89.

:29.2 Mark Madsen pulls the biggest flop job in a long time and gets an offensive foul called on Yao on the inbounds play. That fouls out Yao with his 6th foul.

Van Gundy: "I just don't like those calls where guys are leaning on him and then he just raises his arm and you can just snap your head back...look like you've been physically abused. It has no bearing on whether the ball got in (inbounded). I just don't like those type of calls."

Kobe comes down and ties the score at 91-91.

:0.00 To win the game, Mobley takes a difficult shot when he could have stopped-and-popped a simple jumper. Why didn't he take an easier shot?

The game goes into double overtime, and the Rockets fall apart and lose 106-99. Yao finishes with 24 points (9-for-19 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line), 14 rebounds and 1 block.

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1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
7:58		Yao has missed his first two shots, and the Rockets have missed 9 of their first 10 shots. From the right side outside of the paint, Yao headfakes Samaki Walker, then pivots a couple of times, then lofts a tough right-handed jump hook from the right edge of the lane, and it goes in! Yao has his first points for the evening. The Rockets trail 4-10. TNT analyst and former NY Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy says, *"That was great footwork...nice little play..."*
5:01	Assist	From the 3-point line on the right side, Francis passes the ball to Yao on the right block, then runs past Yao along the baseline as Yao drops the ball off to him, and Francis goes in for the layup!
3:42		Along the left edge of the lane, Yao dribbles twice towards the center of the lane, then pivots to his right and leans in a 9-footer off the glass for the score! The Rockets trail 14-16, and Yao is 2-for-5 from the field with 4 points.
1:25		Yao checks out of the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 14-20.
2nd quarter - The Rockets trail 16-25.
5:42		Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 30-34.
4:56		Mark Madsen drives the lane on Yao and puts up a wild off-balance shot, but Yao blocks it!
3:00		Out near the the elbow of the free throw line, Yao sets a pick for Francis, then Yao cuts toward the basket unimpeded. Francis goes up for a jump shot, but then throws a perfect lead pass to Yao underneath the basket instead. Yao easily goes up for the two-handed jam over Horry and Mark Madsen, and he's fouled! Yao makes the penalty free throw, and has 7 points on 3-of-7 shooting. The Rockets lead 39-34.
:28.8		Glen Rice throws a pass down to Yao in the middle of the paint, and Yao turns to his right and lays it in off the glass! Yao now has 9 points on 4-of-8 shooting. The Rockets lead 42-41. We are pleased Yao is getting the chance to shoot more often in this game!
Halftime - The Rockets lead 42-41.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
4:45		Francis penetrates the lane from the left side, goes up for what's going to be a tough layup, but then dishes it off to Yao who is standing underneath the basket, AND THIS TIME WITH FOUR LAKERS AROUND HIM, YAO AGAIN GOES UP FOR THE TWO-HANDED SLAM! Yao is now 5-for-12 from the field with with 11 points, and the Rockets trail 48-57.
3:58		Yao gets the ball along the left edge of the paint, then goes up for a tough shot, and it goes in! Mike Fratello remarks that Yao has, *"a nice feathery soft touch."* Yao is 6-for-13 with 13 points.
2:52		Mobley drives to the hole but misses it off the glass, but Yao is there to try to tap the ball (which misses), but he gathers in the rebound and shoots a nice soft shot off the glass for the deuce! The Rockets trail 52-61. Yao is 7-for-15 with 15 points.
2:05		Kobe Bryant drives past his man and goes all the way to the bucket for a jam, and Yao comes over to help and tries to block it, but gets there too late. The LA crowd and bench goes crazy that Kobe supposedly "showed up" Yao by slamming it over him and continues to celebrate as the Rockets get set up in their half-court offense. The fact of the matter is that Yao could have bagged it and not tried to go after the block, but he's too competitive to just "let it go." Fueled by the fact that the LA crowd is still celebrating at his expense, Yao gets the ball on the left side and SPINS AWAY FROM MADSEN, GOES BASELINE AND SLAMS IT HOME TWO-HANDED TO QUIET THE CROWD!! What's ironic is that Robert Horry was in the vicinity, but was too afraid to try to block Yao's dunk. At least we know Yao is braver than Horry. Mike Fratello says, "I tell you what, you gotta like that youngster because, sure, Kobe was spectacular. But Yao, he heard the crowd like everybody else, he understood what just happened, he came right back to silence them!" Yao is 8-for-16 from the field for 17 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets trail 54-64.
:33.5		Yao checks out for Cato with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
4th quarter - The Rockets trail 56-64.
7:36		Yao checks into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 62-74.
2:38	Free throws	The Rockets have gone on a 13-3 run to pull to within a two-point deficit, 75-77. Yao once again gets the ball on the left side and spins baseline to go up for the jam with 3 Lakers converging around him, but he's fouled! Yao is being very aggressive tonight with the dunk attempts! Yao makes two clutch free throws to tie the score at 77! He now has 19 points.
1:57	Assist	From the left block, Yao throws a bullet pass across the court to Francis in the coffin corner, and Steve drives baseline to the rack for a layup. The score is now tied 79-79.
:08.3	Free Throws	With the Rockets trailing 80-82, Mobley shoots a 3-pointer that misses, but Yao's long arms help him tap the ball away from Samaki Walker and Yao is fouled in the process of bringing the ball into his grasp. That means free throws, which he needs to make to tie the score...and he hits both of them! Yao is really showing how clutch of a player he really is, which we have been saying all along since October! Yao is 5-for-5 from the line with 21 points (8-for-16 from the field). Jeff Van Gundy comments, *"His demeanor allows him to play well in clutch situations. He's unflappable and he's poised."* The Rockets stop the Lakers on the ensuing possession, and the game goes into overtime.
Overtime - The score is tied 82-82.
2:47	+ Free Throw	Rockets lead 87-84. Yao dribbles several times on the edge of the lane trying to get good position with Samaki Walker guarding him, then drop-steps back to the baseline, leans in for the shot attempt, gets fouled, and the shot falls for the score! Yao pumps his fist with vigor! That's Walker's 6th foul, which knocks him out of the game. Mark Madsen comes in for Walker. Yao makes the free throw and is a perfect 6-for-6 from the line, and has 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting. That's the 32nd time Yao has touched the ball in the low-post area. The Rockets now lead 88-84.
2:09	Bad call	With the Rockets leading 88-84, Kobe Bryant drives to the hole on Yao (picture above), and Bryant makes the shot and Yao is called for the foul. Jeff Van Gundy says, *"That is no foul on Yao. He was straight up. Kobe Bryant initiated the contact. That's a bad, bad call in a tight game."*
1:51	Assist	Yao is dribbling along the left edge of the paint again, and this time throws another bullet to Francis in the corner who drains the three! The Rockets now lead 91-87!
:35.9	Turnover	With the Rockets leading 91-89, Yao throws the ball out of bounds, and slaps his own head disgusted with himself.
:29.8		Kobe charges into Yao, and the ball goes back to the Rockets. Rockets still lead 91-89.
:29.2		Mark Madsen pulls the biggest flop job in a long time and gets an offensive foul called on Yao on the inbounds play. That fouls out Yao with his 6th foul. Van Gundy: "I just don't like those calls where guys are leaning on him and then he just raises his arm and you can just snap your head back...look like you've been physically abused. It has no bearing on whether the ball got in (inbounded). I just don't like those type of calls." Kobe comes down and ties the score at 91-91.
:0.00		To win the game, Mobley takes a difficult shot when he could have stopped-and-popped a simple jumper. Why didn't he take an easier shot? The game goes into double overtime, and the Rockets fall apart and lose 106-99. Yao finishes with 24 points (9-for-19 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line), 14 rebounds and 1 block.