| Rockets Played By the Jazz Authored by Jason Linnard - February 27, 2005 - 11:30 pm
After an eight game winning streak, the Rockets were handed their third straight loss.
The Rockets lost to the Utah Jazz 99-92, snapping Utah’s four game losing streak. Utah was led by Matt Harpring’s 28 points. Raja Bell also scored 21 of his own.
The game was tied at halftime and at the end of the third quarter, but a 30 point effort in the game’s last period was too much for Houston to overcome. Harpring and and Bell were accountable for more than half of Utah’s offensive production in this period, Harpring scoring 10 and Bell with 7.
Despite valiant efforts by the Rockets starters, including newly acquired Mike James, the Houston bench struggled all night. The entire bench was outscored by one player off of the Jazz bench – Mehmet Okur. Okur totaled 14 points and 9 rebounds in 30 minutes.
Mike James’s first game in Rocket’s red was a showing to be proud of. He tallied up 19 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. James was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks, along with Zendon Hamilton, for Reece Gaines and 2 2nd round draft picks. He was acquired in light of Bob Sura’s back injury, and will remain the starter until he is activated from the injured list. Some speculation, though, has him remaining the starting point guard, moving Sura to his natural position of shooting guard.
Also acquired prior to the trade deadline were Vin Baker and former Rocket favorite Moochie Norris. They were acquired in a trade from the New York Knicks, along with a future 2nd round draft pick, for Maurice Taylor. Baker is a four-time All-Star who was not receiving many minutes in the Knick’s rotation. Baker did not play in tonight’s game.
Norris was a Rocket from 1999 to 2004. He was traded, along with John Amaechi, for Clarence Weatherspoon on Dec. 30, 2003. Played a total of 9 minutes in tonight’s game, totaling 2 points and 2 rebounds.
Next Up: March 1 Houston @ Chicago, 7:30 PM CST
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