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HOUSTON: Rafer Alston led the way with 31 points as the Houston
Rockets extended their record win streak to 22 games with a 104-92
win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Alston made eight-of-11 shots from the arc for
the Rockets, who own the second-longest winning streak in National
Basketball Association history.
The 1971-72 Lakers won a league-record 33
consecutive games.
Rockets coach Rick Adelman speaks modestly about
his team’s special season.
“We had a challenge today, we had to beat the
Lakers and we did it,” Adelman said.
“Now, we have the best team in the East
[Boston] coming in here Tuesday, and that will be our next
challenge.
“It’s a great win. We really got stagnant,
offensively, but give our guys credit. We defended really well and
made the plays in the fourth quarter to win.”
Bobby Jackson scored 19 points off the bench for
Houston (46-20), which moved one game ahead of Los Angeles (45-21)
for first place in the Western Conference.
Tracy McGrady went scoreless in the first half
for Houston but finished with 11 points on four-of-16 shooting.
Alston’s point total was a career best.
“The guy was doing some stuff that was just
amazing,” McGrady said. “The way he was just shooting the ball,
it got to the point where every shot he put up was going in.
“You get caught up in the moment, and you kind
of get out of your game because the other guy [Alston] is playing so
well. I was one of those guys tonight.”
Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson was impressed the
Rockets hung on despite their third-quarter shooting woes.
“They share the ball, and their defence is
solid,” Jackson said.
“I thought Tracy had as poor a game as he’s
had all season, and I think that shows how good their team really
is. Rafer Alston was difficult to guard for any of our players.”
Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 24 points and
Lamar Odom added 17.
“[Shane Battier] is a good defensive player,
but my shot was flat,” Bryant said. “Bobby Jackson was a great
addition for them—he came in tonight and had 19 points off the
bench. Luther Head played well—their bench is their key to this
long streak.”
-- AFP
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