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Yao vs. Knicks - 2/25/03

Yao shoots over New York Knick Kurt Thomas Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. The Rockets lost 102-95 after being outscored 52-39 in the second half.

I'm on a business trip--ironically where all the excitement is happening around Yao (New York and Washington, D.C.). I wish I could see Yao play against Michael Jordan on Thursday night, not very far from where I'm staying. But in order to keep filing these reports, I can't play hooky from my "day job" at the risk of losing the income source that keeps this site going. I'm flying back home on Wednesday, and will be able to cover the Wizard game Thursday night in detail.

Since the New York game was not available in my hotel room, I am having an old friend of mine in Houston helping me file this game report. 'Wendell' and I shared Rocket season tickets with each other back-in-the-day when Houston won their two NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. He has written almost all of the content in the Latest Summary and Detailed Yao Analysis below.

Here we go...

The Rockets shot lights out to take an early lead, but in the end it was the steady shooting accuracy of the Knicks that won the game. The Rockets lost 102-95, even though they shot 50% from the field. Yao had 24 points (9-of-15 shooting, 6-of-6 from the line), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block. An excellent start for a new center playing to a sell-out crowd at Madison Square Garden.

First-half summary

Cuttino Mobley was red-hot in the first half after scoring 22 points. Yao took the game to the inside, shooting most shots from the left-side low-post over Michael Doleac. Cuttino carried the team to a halftime score of 56-50 with the Rockets at one time having a 13-point lead. Yao continued to play strong in his minutes until near the end of the half when he was sidelined with a wincing pain in his right elbow. Being the star he is, Yao still finished the half as the Rockets second-leading scorer with 15 points, second only to Cuttino's 22 points.

3rd quarter action

In the third period it was all Stevie Franchise. With Cuttino defended more tightly by the Knicks, Stevie shot the ball more and began to work the kinks out of his back. While he missed many shots, he still managed to draw fouls to keep scoring. When Yao returned in the 3rd, Yao played the "top-of-the-key" game. He set picks and screens for the guards and took a few passes drawing his defender--now Kurt Thomas--to the outside more. This left lots of inside driving space for Stevie. Unfortunately, Steve's shot was short just too many times, and the Rockets scored a dismal 13 points in the 3rd quarter.

The Rockets started the 4th period trailing 69-70. The period was marked by Francis' steady drives and a return of Yao's left-side low-post plays--culminating in a beautiful baseline slam over Kurt Thomas. Each team had a few easy baskets keeping the game close. Yao particularly had a nice slam off a fast-break pass. But in the end, the Knicks continued their barrage from the outside - hitting on all cylinders - scoring at one time on 10 of 11 shots. Yao also had the ball stolen a couple of times in the last two minutes (one was actually a 'mugging') where the Rockets made him his "go-to" guy (see Yao's comments in the "What Yao is saying" section as well as Francis' comments in the "What they are saying" section below). Yao's fans are bummed about this turn of events, but if anyone will learn quickly from these miscues, it will be Yao.

With the Knicks gaining the lead on shooting by Sprewell and Houston and the Rockets slowing a bit in the legs, the Knicks held on to win 102 to 95.

Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. New York Knicks 2/25/03
(brought to you by Wendell)

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.

11:26 Yao's first shot is a "softee" from 7 feet out just below the free throw line, and it dances around the rim before falling in! Rockets get their first points, and the score is 2-2.

8:19 Yao hits a 14-foot jumper from the left side just outside the low post. The Rockets lead 13-4. Yao is 2-for-3 with 4 points.

6:50 Yao blocks Kurt Thomas' shot inside the paint for his first rejection of the night.

2:05 The ref calls Yao for a shooting foul on Allan Houston, which is bogus! You can tell Yao isn't happy by the way he is raising hands in the air. We agree with Calvin Murphy about how Yao should really show the refs what a shooting foul looks like next time he fouls someone! Cato comes in for Yao, who has 4 points.

2nd quarter - The Rockets lead 32-22. The Rockets shot an astounding 69% in the quarter.

6:31 Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The New York crowd cheers loudly for Yao as he steps onto the court again! Rockets lead 43-34.

5:33 Free
Throws Yao sets up on the left-side low-post again. This time Frank Williams tries his luck at defense, but picks up his 3rd foul. He can't containn the Big Man! Yao goes to the line and sinks both free throws. The Rockets are now 15-of-17 from the line, and lead 47-37.

5:18 Yao gets a clean block on a Shandon Anderson shot attempt, but the refs say it was a foul!

5:01
+
Free
Throw Yao makes a nice shot over Michael Doleac, and he is fouled! Yao is 3-for-6 from the field, and he makes the penalty free throw, too. The Rockets lead 50-38.

3:54 Yao shoots a turnaround 9-foot fadeaway shot off the glass over Doleac...and SCORE IT! Yao is now 4-for-7 from the field for 10 points. Rockets lead 50-38.

3:26 Yao shoots a 4-foot Kareem Sky Hook...and count the basket! Yao is 5-for-8 from the field, and has made 3 straight shots to score the Rockets' last 7 points. The Rockets now lead 54-40.

1:25 Free
Throws From the left side low-post, Yao is double-teamed and is fouled by Anderson. Yao makes both free throws (5-for-5 from the line), and has 15 points. It's obvious Yao's elbow is hurting him, but he fights through the pain! Thanks to Yao, the Rockets are shooting 59% at this point. The Rockets lead 56-46.

:21 Cato checks in for Yao.

Halftime - The Rockets lead 56-50. Yao has 15 points.

3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.

10:10 Yao loses the ball as Kurt Thomas trips him to the floor. The Knicks are getting more aggressive!

10:10 Yao is dominating the boards with his height! He gets a defensive rebound a la "Rodman style" (tapping the ball to where a 7'6" person wants it to go). The game gets tighter with the Rockets only making 25% of their shots for the quarter thus far. Rockets lead only by 1 point, 67-66.

1:10 Stevie gets a defensive rebound and slings it down court to Yao, who is speeding all alone toward the hoop, and SLAM DUNK!! This was the easiest basket of the night! Rockets lead 69-68. Yao is 6-for-11 from the field.

4th quarter - Cato starts the quarter for Yao The Rockets trail 69-70.

5:58 Yao enters the game for Cato. The Rockets lead 81-78.

4:07 Yao gets an easy rebound and lays it in for two! Yao is now 7-for-13 from the field. The Rockets lead 87-84.

2:27
+
Free
Throw Yao returns to the left-side low post again after playing out high for the past several minutes. Yao gets the ball, spins around his defender, goes to the baseline and then jumps with long arms extended and SLAMS the ball home over Weatherspoon AND draws the foul!!! Yao-zah! Yao-zah! Yao-zah!! The game is tied at 91! Moochie jumps off the bench and is waving his towel like he does when he gets excited! Everyone is pumped on the Rockets bench! Yao makes the penalty free throw to put the Rockets ahead 92-91.

1:57 Latrell Sprewell steals the ball from Yao as he backs it in down in the low post. Sprewell then comes down and hits a three-pointer. Rockets trail 92-94.

1:42 Yao shows heart after his turnover and makes an 8-foot jumper! He's now 9-15 from the field, and the game is tied 94-94.

1:04 Kurt Thomas 'steals' the ball from Yao, but he was really mugged without the refs saying anything! That would have been Thomas' 6th foul, too! Latrell Sprewell comes down and makes a 15-footer. The Rockets now trail 94-98. Big play.

:18 Juaquin Hawkins comes into the game for Yao to save his fouls.

:16 Yao comes back into the game for Hawkins. Rockets go on to lose 95-102. Yao finishes with 24 points (9-for-15 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block.

Back to Home

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
11:26		Yao's first shot is a "softee" from 7 feet out just below the free throw line, and it dances around the rim before falling in! Rockets get their first points, and the score is 2-2.
8:19		Yao hits a 14-foot jumper from the left side just outside the low post. The Rockets lead 13-4. Yao is 2-for-3 with 4 points.
6:50		Yao blocks Kurt Thomas' shot inside the paint for his first rejection of the night.
2:05		The ref calls Yao for a shooting foul on Allan Houston, which is bogus! You can tell Yao isn't happy by the way he is raising hands in the air. We agree with Calvin Murphy about how Yao should really show the refs what a shooting foul looks like next time he fouls someone! Cato comes in for Yao, who has 4 points.
2nd quarter - The Rockets lead 32-22. The Rockets shot an astounding 69% in the quarter.
6:31		Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The New York crowd cheers loudly for Yao as he steps onto the court again! Rockets lead 43-34.
5:33	Free Throws	Yao sets up on the left-side low-post again. This time Frank Williams tries his luck at defense, but picks up his 3rd foul. He can't containn the Big Man! Yao goes to the line and sinks both free throws. The Rockets are now 15-of-17 from the line, and lead 47-37.
5:18		Yao gets a clean block on a Shandon Anderson shot attempt, but the refs say it was a foul!
5:01	+ Free Throw	Yao makes a nice shot over Michael Doleac, and he is fouled! Yao is 3-for-6 from the field, and he makes the penalty free throw, too. The Rockets lead 50-38.
3:54		Yao shoots a turnaround 9-foot fadeaway shot off the glass over Doleac...and SCORE IT! Yao is now 4-for-7 from the field for 10 points. Rockets lead 50-38.
3:26		Yao shoots a 4-foot Kareem Sky Hook...and count the basket! Yao is 5-for-8 from the field, and has made 3 straight shots to score the Rockets' last 7 points. The Rockets now lead 54-40.
1:25	Free Throws	From the left side low-post, Yao is double-teamed and is fouled by Anderson. Yao makes both free throws (5-for-5 from the line), and has 15 points. It's obvious Yao's elbow is hurting him, but he fights through the pain! Thanks to Yao, the Rockets are shooting 59% at this point. The Rockets lead 56-46.
:21		Cato checks in for Yao.
Halftime - The Rockets lead 56-50. Yao has 15 points.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
10:10		Yao loses the ball as Kurt Thomas trips him to the floor. The Knicks are getting more aggressive!
10:10		Yao is dominating the boards with his height! He gets a defensive rebound a la "Rodman style" (tapping the ball to where a 7'6" person wants it to go). The game gets tighter with the Rockets only making 25% of their shots for the quarter thus far. Rockets lead only by 1 point, 67-66.
1:10		Stevie gets a defensive rebound and slings it down court to Yao, who is speeding all alone toward the hoop, and SLAM DUNK!! This was the easiest basket of the night! Rockets lead 69-68. Yao is 6-for-11 from the field.
4th quarter - Cato starts the quarter for Yao The Rockets trail 69-70.
5:58		Yao enters the game for Cato. The Rockets lead 81-78.
4:07		Yao gets an easy rebound and lays it in for two! Yao is now 7-for-13 from the field. The Rockets lead 87-84.
2:27	+ Free Throw	Yao returns to the left-side low post again after playing out high for the past several minutes. Yao gets the ball, spins around his defender, goes to the baseline and then jumps with long arms extended and SLAMS the ball home over Weatherspoon AND draws the foul!!! Yao-zah! Yao-zah! Yao-zah!! The game is tied at 91! Moochie jumps off the bench and is waving his towel like he does when he gets excited! Everyone is pumped on the Rockets bench! Yao makes the penalty free throw to put the Rockets ahead 92-91.
1:57		Latrell Sprewell steals the ball from Yao as he backs it in down in the low post. Sprewell then comes down and hits a three-pointer. Rockets trail 92-94.
1:42		Yao shows heart after his turnover and makes an 8-foot jumper! He's now 9-15 from the field, and the game is tied 94-94.
1:04		Kurt Thomas 'steals' the ball from Yao, but he was really mugged without the refs saying anything! That would have been Thomas' 6th foul, too! Latrell Sprewell comes down and makes a 15-footer. The Rockets now trail 94-98. Big play.
:18		Juaquin Hawkins comes into the game for Yao to save his fouls.
:16		Yao comes back into the game for Hawkins. Rockets go on to lose 95-102. Yao finishes with 24 points (9-for-15 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block.