Game flow
LOS ANGELES -- Hakeem Olajuwon scored 17 of his 29 points in the second half Sunday as theHakeem Olajuwon shows Eddie Jones who is boss. (21k jpg)
Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to five games with a 111-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sam Cassell had 24 points and a season-high 11 assists, and Kenny Smith scored 18 of his 21 points on 3-pointers for Houston, which trailed for just 17 seconds and snapped a four-game losing streak at The Forum.
"He's (Olajuwon) been doing it consistently, but he can't do it alone," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "I think Kenny Smith came in and gave us a great boost. Sam Cassell, not 100 percent with a bad elbow, was phenomenal."
The two-time defending champion Rockets sent a small message to the Lakers, whom they would face in the first round of the playoffs if the current seedings hold.
"We talked about having a playoff mentality because this game meant a lot to the playoff picture, with the fourth seed as a payoff," Tomjanovich said. "I just can't tell you how proud I am of these guys for putting out a great effort."
Nick Van Exel scored 21 points and Eddie Jones 20 for the Lakers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the third time in 15 games since Magic Johnson's return.
"No NBA fan should be surprised at the Houston Rockets," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "They showed once again why they're the two-time defending champions. They did what they had to do to win the game."
Olajuwon and Smith scored 12 points each in the first half as Houston opened a 59-48 lead.
"I don't know what it was, whether it was nervousness or whatever, but we were not in any kind of rhythm at all in the first quarter," Harris said.
But Los Angeles scored 12 of the first 14 points of the second half to close the gap and took its only lead at 69-68 on a 3-pointer by Cedric Ceballos with 7:02 left in the third period.
"For the rest of the year, whether it's coming off the bench or starting, whatever it is, I'll do it," said Smith, who lost his starting point guard position earlier this season.
A dunk by Chucky Brown restored Houston's lead with 6:45 left and the Rockets scored 17 of the next 26 points to open an 87-78 lead entering the final period. Olajuwon scored 10 points in the third quarter.
A basket by Mark Bryant opened the fourth quarter and gave the Rockets their largest lead. The Lakers closed to four points on three occasions, the last time at 108-104 on Van Exel's free throws with 52 seconds to go.
Houston did not score, but Anthony Peeler missed a 3-pointer and Olajuwon made a foul shot with 14 seconds left to seal the win. Olajuwon and Cassell had seven points each in the quarter.
Olajuwon had 13 rebounds and Bryant scored 11 points for the Rockets, who shot 55 percent from the field and attempted just 13 free throws, making nine.
"That was definitely a big win for us, especially starting a five-game road trip," Olajuwon said.
Elden Campbell had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 49 percent but were just 23 of 36 from the line. Johnson scored 14 points but missed four free throws and made seven turnovers.
Before the game, Johnson announced that he would withdraw his name from consideration for "Dream Team III," the team selected to play in this summer's Olympics.
Hakeem Olajuwon shows Eddie Jones who is boss. (21k jpg)