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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
ATLANTA (AP) – Steve Francis didn't think Houston's latest
comeback was special. No big deal, he said.
|  | | Rockets center Kelvin Cato gets an easy fourth-quarter basket. |
But it was.
Francis scored 17 of his 31 points in the final period,
including the winning 3-point basket with 25.3 seconds left,
as the Rockets overcame a pair of 23-point deficits Wednesday night
to beat Atlanta 104-98 and send the Hawks to their season-high
ninth consecutive loss.
"This is a typical Rockets game this season," said Francis.
"Our backs were to the wall but we didn't give up and kicked it in
in the second half."
Francis hit his 3-pointer to put the Rockets ahead 100-98 after
Atlanta, which lost its seventh in a row at home, had taken a 98-95
lead on a free throw by Lorenzen Wright with 1:17 left.
The Rockets won for the 11th time in 14 games in their
late-season rush for a playoff spot.
"It was unbelievable," said Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon,
who injured his left calf in the opening period and watched the
rest of the game from the locker room.
"I was in here watching. It was amazing after not being able to
do anything right in the first half."
The 23-point deficit matched the franchise record of coming from
behind to win. Houston previously accomplished the feat in January
of 1977, beating Portland in overtime.
"I remember I made the shot in that game that put us in
overtime," said Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
Houston's Walt Williams, who had 17 points, added two free
throws with 16.8 seconds remaining and Francis made a pair with 3.4
seconds left as Houston scored the final nine points of the game.
"It's definitely a low point," said Atlanta's Jason Terry, who
had 20 points. "It's the worst. We had that game. But, you've got
to take it on the chin and go on."
With Toni Kukoc scoring 23 first-half points, hitting on eight
of his first nine shots, including four of five 3-point baskets, the
Hawks built a 23-point lead twice, the last with 5:08 remaining
before halftime on a dunk by DerMarr Johnson.
Kukoc, however, managed only three points in the second half to
finish with 26.
"He was hitting everything in sight, but we did a good job on
him in the second half," said Francis.
The Rockets got within four points, 75-71, on a three-point play
by Shandon Anderson with 47 seconds left in the third period and
went ahead on a 3-point basket by Cuttino Mobley that made it 84-83
four minutes into the final period.
Mobley finished with 21 points, Anderson added 15 and Kelvin
Cato had 14 for Houston.
Atlanta went back ahead on a basket by Wright at 94-92 with 3:06
left in the game and held in until Francis' 3-pointer.
Wright added 18 points for Atlanta, including 11 in the final
period.
Game notes
The 59 first-half points by the Hawks were a season high.
Atlanta had 58 on three different occasions. ... Atlanta's last win
was 98-91 at Golden State on Feb. 28. The Hawks' last home victory
was Jan. 31, a 102-97 decision over Toronto. ... Atlanta guard
Brevin Knight left the game in the fourth period with a cut
on his chin. He received three stitches, but said he wouldn't miss
any playing time. ... Olajuwon started and played the first 10
minutes before leaving with the strained left calf muscle. He did
not return and is listed as day-to-day. Olajuwon was 0-for-2 from
the field and was scoreless for only the second time in his career.
He still needs 21 points to pass John Havlicek (26,395) for ninth
place on the NBA's career scoring list.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Houston Clubhouse
Atlanta Clubhouse
RECAPS
Milwaukee 101
Boston 94
New York 79
Indiana 75
Philadelphia 102
New Jersey 94
Houston 104
Atlanta 98
Washington 88
Cleveland 83
Dallas 93
Miami 86
Orlando 112
Detroit 102
Sacramento 100
Phoenix 89
Utah 86
Seattle 82
LA Lakers 97
Toronto 85
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