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Yao scores 36, but Rockets fall to Nets
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-14 14:10
Vince Carter scored 18 of his 29 points in the second half tonight to lead
the New Jersey Nets to a 90-77 win over the Rockets.
New Jersey Nets'
Clifford Robinson, left, fouls Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, of China, as
Ming shoots in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March
13, 2006, in Houston.[AP] | Jason Kidd had 11
points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, his sixth triple-double of the season. Kidd
has 73 career triple-doubles and needs five to tie Wilt Chamberlain for third
all-time.
Cliff Robinson added 15 points for the Nets, who've won all 28 games they've
led after three quarters.
Yao Ming scored 36 points for the Rockets, playing their third straight game
without Tracy McGrady, who's out up to five weeks with another back injury.
Yao, who was averaging 27.5 points and 13 rebounds in 10 games since the
All-Star break, went 9-of-17 from the field, most of them quick turnaround hook
shots. He also went 18-for-20 from the free throw line.
The rest of the team, though, shot 17-of-59 from the field. The Rockets shot
17-of-55 over the final three quarters, when they were outscored 77-51.
Yao had 10 points in the first six minutes and the Rockets built an early
nine-point lead.
The Nets missed 15 of their first 22 shots, then went 8-of-12 during a 16-6
run early in the second quarter.
Yao had 19 at the break, but New Jersey led 47-41 by holding the rest of the
Rockets to 10-for-34 shooting in the first half.
Carter had a fadeaway jumper and a 3-pointer during an 11-2 Nets run to open
the second half. Rafer Alston hit a running one-hander, but Robinson sank a
3-pointer to put New Jersey up 59-45.
The Rockets got within seven, but Carter sank three more 3-pointers in the
final 4:20 of the third quarter and the Nets led 68-55 heading to the fourth.
The Rockets got no closer than nine in the fourth quarter.
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