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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The ride was a little scary for the San
Antonio Spurs, but the landing felt like a winning streak.
|  | | Cuttino Mobley's 28 points aren't enough to lift the Rockets on the road. |
"It was nerve-wracking that they had a shot at the end," Tim
Duncan said after his San Antonio Spurs held on for a 90-88 win
against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. "But, all in all, I
think we played well in the last five minutes and gave ourselves a
chance."
Duncan scored 28 points with 11 rebounds and the Spurs made
eight free throws in the final 1:35 as they held on for their sixth
straight win overall and their 12th straight against the Rockets.
"The rivalry continues," said Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon.
"Unfortunately, we lost. But it was a satisfying game."
Duncan had his 34th double-double of the season, tying him for
the league lead with Denver's Antonio McDyess. San Antonio guard
Derek Anderson barely missed a triple-double, scoring 15 points
with nine rebounds and nine assists.
The victory kept the Spurs within one game of the Utah Jazz, who
still lead the Midwest Division after a 111-91 win against Seattle.
"We're starting to gain confidence," said Spurs center David
Robinson. "This is the first real roll we've been on. Things are
starting to go good. We have turned our defense up a notch."
The game had 17 lead changes and 14 ties despite a poor shooting
night for the Rockets, who finished at 37 percent (35-of-93) from
the floor. The Rockets hung in there with 20 offensive rebounds as
part of a 52-42 rebounding advantage.
"I thought the Rockets would come out with smoke coming out of
their ears, and they did," said San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.
"I'm proud of our guys. They sustained and kept their intensity
down the stretch."
The Houston backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley
combined for 57 points -- 29 from Francis and 28 from Mobley -- while
the entire Houston frontcourt scored 29 points.
"They're a big-time iso(lation) team," said Duncan about the
Rockets. "They're tough to defend. But if we get the help-side
defense and rotate, it works out for us."
Despite lack of production from the frontcourt, the Rockets
still outscored San Antonio 36-32 in the paint due to drives by
Mobley and Francis.
"Derek Anderson is one of the top defenders in the league,"
said Mobley. "Tonight, the shots were just going in."
Houston held its final lead at 83-82 with 2:39 remaining on a
3-point shot by Francis. The Spurs scored seven of the next eight
points on free throws by Duncan, Steve Kerr, David Robinson and
Terry Porter for an 89-84 lead with 33.9 seconds left.
Francis made two free throws with 23.5 seconds remaining to pull
Houston to 89-86, but he fouled out with 19.2 seconds left on a
drive by Anderson.
An eight-footer by Moochie Norris brought the Rockets within
89-88 with 9.2 seconds left, and Porter made only one free throw
after being fouled immediately. But the Rockets lost their chance
to win when Maurice Taylor missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
"It was a fantastic game for both teams," said Popovich. "I'm
just thrilled we came out on the winning side. Both teams played
for 48 minutes."
The Rockets held a 42-40 halftime lead behind 16 points from
Mobley, who made eight of 12 shots. Duncan scored 14 consecutive
first-half points for the Spurs, including their last 12 of the
first quarter, giving them a 22-21 lead.
Mostly due to the inside position Duncan gained against Taylor,
the Spurs shot 56 percent (10 of 18) in the first quarter.
Game notes
The Spurs are 27-6 when holding opponents under 100 points
and 12-1 when they hold the opponent under 80 . . . The line for
the 37-year-old Porter in three games as the Spurs' starting point
guard with Avery Johnson and Antonio Daniels injured: 41 points, 18
rebounds and 13 assists. . . . The Rockets have used 11 different
starting lineups this season. Saturday night's lineup -- Mobley,
Francis, Taylor, Olajuwon and Shandon Anderson -- is 3-2.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Houston Clubhouse
San Antonio Clubhouse
RECAPS
Minnesota 108
Toronto 105
Denver 105
Washington 100
Detroit 88
Cleveland 81
Orlando 96
Atlanta 84
Dallas 101
Golden State 95
Milwaukee 104
Indiana 85
San Antonio 90
Houston 88
Utah 111
Seattle 91
Vancouver 91
Chicago 84
LA Clippers 90
Portland 89
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Rudy Tomjanovich Official Site
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