| Heartbreaker In H-Town Authored by Jason Linnard - February 23, 2005 - 5:42 pm
The Rocket’s stepped on the court Tuesday night as winners of eight straight.
That’s where it would stop.
In a heartbreaker, the Rockets fell to the Seattle Supersonics 87-85, setting them at 32-22. The Sonics improved to 36-15.
The Rockets were leading 66-61 heading into the 4th quarter, as they had led most of the game. But with about 4:56 left in the game, the Sonics began a 9 point run, bringing them within one with 3:25 left.
Despite a valiant effort by Yao Ming in which he posted 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks, he fouled out with 1:16 left in the 4th quarter, a mistake that proved fatal. 42 seconds later, Ray Allen made a dunk after Rashard Lewis stole the ball from Tracy McGrady. Mutumbo was then fouled by Vladimir Radmanovic, but he only made one of his free throws leaving the game tied at 85. Ray Allen then made both free throws, giving them a lead that would remain for the game.
The Rockets were short one key member on Tuesday night. Point guard Bob Sura was having back complications, and sat the game out and will be out indefinitely. Rod Strickland started in his place.
Houston, however, remains very hot as of late, winners of 12 of their last 15. They will be a team that many of the division leaders will not want to play down the stretch or even in the playoffs.
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