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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
HOUSTON (AP) -- The Rockets are back above .500, and one can only
wonder how much better their record would be if they were in the
Central Division instead of the Midwest.
Steve Francis scored 35 points and Cuttino Mobley had 26
Saturday night as the Rockets handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their
10th straight loss, 92-80.
Houston is 11-0 against Central Division teams.
"Hopefully now we can get a nice streak on the road and
continue to win at home," Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
Andre Miller led Cleveland with 29 points, while Chris Gatling
had 11 and Trajan Langdon 10.
Houston led 58-57 with 1:57 left in the third period before
Mobley and Francis each scored seven points in a 17-4 that gave the
Rockets control. Cleveland never threatend again as Houston won for
the fifth time in six games.
Francis tied his career high with six 3-point shots and was one
point short of his career scoring high.
"I thought we came out and battled as a team. I thought my
offense came within the confines of the game," Francis said. "I
got a lot of open shots and I did a good job of knocking them
down."
"I think our teammates are comfortable with us scoring that
much," Mobley said. "Everybody has a job on the team and our job
is scoring."
Houston moved ahead 10-2 before Cleveland cut its deficit to
one, 21-20, with 2:56 left in the first period behind the scoring
of Miller, who had 10 points.
Houston then outscored the Cavaliers 13-6, with six points by
Mobley, to lead 34-26 going into the second quarter.
A 3-point shot by Moochie Norris gave Houston a 41-30 lead with
8:06 left in the second quarter. Houston led 46-36, before
Cleveland went on an 8-2 run in the final 2:29 of the half to cut
the Rocket leads to 48-44.
"Right now it's frustrating for our team and our coaching
staff. They are trying different lineups, but it's all about
effort," Gatling lamented.
Miller agreed.
"We have to play better to end this losing streak. I just comes
down to who wants it more," Miller said.
Game notes
The Rockets have won just one of 15 games this season in
which they have made fewer 3-point baskets than their opponent ...
Houston is 11-0 against Central Division teams ... Cleveland's
Chucky Brown has played for an NBA record 11 different teams ...
Andre Miller and Clarence Weatherspoon are the only Cavaliers to
start all 50 regular season games.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Houston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Chicago 89
Miami 82
Dallas 112
Washington 105
Houston 92
Cleveland 80
Charlotte 103
Milwaukee 93
Boston 85
Portland 81
Atlanta 101
Seattle 94
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