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Jazz overcome Iverson's 46 to beat Sixers
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-12 11:13 Juwan Howard had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who have lost
four in a row and 11 of 14 home games this season. Dikembe Mutombo had a
season-high 18 rebounds.
Sacramento Kings'
Mike Bibby (10) shoots as Houston Rockets' Juwan Howard, left, defends
during the second quarter of their NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 11,
2006 in Houston. [AP] | For the second straight
night, the Rockets had six players out with injuries, including stars Tracy
McGrady and Yao Ming. McGrady's bad back will be re-evaluated on Friday and Yao
is out at least three more weeks after toe surgery.
Even with the injuries and a poor shooting night (40 percent), the Rockets
trailed only 79-74 after little-used guard Moochie Norris hit a deep jumper with
3:55 left.
Francisco Garcia answered with a 3-pointer from the corner a minute later,
but the Rockets had several more chances to draw closer down the stretch.
Luther Head and Norris missed 3-pointers in the final minute, though, and
Jason Hart sank two free throws to put the Kings up 84-77 with 40.6 seconds
left.
Houston finished just 3-of-20 from 3-point range (15 percent).
The Rockets missed 15 of their first 21 shots, most of them from the
perimeter.
The Kings led 18-13 after the first quarter, then broke a 23-23 tie with an
11-3 run. Sacramento led 43-36 at halftime, then opened the second half with an
11-6 spurt.
The Rockets missed 14 of their first 15 shots from 3-point range, but stayed
in the game by grabbing 15 offensive rebounds in the first three quarters.
In the final minute of the third, Rafer Alston fouled Bibby on a jumper from
the wing and Bibby converted the three-point play to give the Kings a 64-55
lead.
Williamson had a backdoor layup and Bibby scored again as the Kings pushed
the lead into double digits early in the fourth quarter.
Bryant scores 41 but Blazers beat Lakers
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers overcame Kobe Bryant's 41 points,
ending his streak of 45-plus games at four, in a 113-103 victory over the Los
Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
Juan Dixon scored 27 points to help Portland stop a six-game skid and end the
Lakers' three-game winning streak.
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