Houston Roundball Review Archive: November 2006 JVG after Rockets 82-75 win over T-wolves

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets simply don't play an exciting brand of basketball.

Period.

However, this season they are playing winning basketball which is the bottom line.

Before Tuesday's match-up with the Minnesota Timberwolves I noticed the T-wolves attempt less field goals and less free throws than the Rockets; as a result, I assumed the game would be low scoring because neither team would take a lot of shots.

My assumption, this time, proved correct.

The Rockets defeated Minnesota 82 to 75 before an announced crowd of 12,709 at Toyota Center.

Yao Ming and Kevin Garnett tied for game-high scoring honors by each scoring 25 points.

Yao added 10 rebounds while KG pulled down 11 boards for the T-wolves.

Rockets' forward Chuck Hayes also snared 11 rebounds.

Shane Battier scored 17 points (6 for 11 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 from the Land of Three).

After Minnesota pulled within one point (71-70), Battier drained a three-point shot with 2:58 left in the game to douse the T-wolves scoring run.

Rafer Alston followed Battier's three with a three-pointer of his own; then, Alston scored an 8-foot runner to boost the Rockets' lead to nine (79 to 70) with 1:46 left in the game.

Alston finished the game with 13 points and seven assists.

Houston (10-4) picked up its first double-digit win total in November since the 1996-97 squad went 15-1 over the opening month of that season.

Minnesota (6-8) shot 46.2% (30 for 65); however, the Timberwolves turned the ball over 20 times.

Tracy McGrady finished the game with just 8 points (4 for 14); but, he did dish out seven assists.

T-Mac injured his abdomen after former teammate Mike James accidentally kicked him during the first half.

McGrady did not finish the first half; but, he returned to action in the third quarter and gutted out the rest of the game.

During his post-game press conference, Rockets' head coach Jeff Van Gundy said his team needs to get better "quality shots..."

Listen to more archived MP3s.