Jan 29 2009
Sixers score big comeback win in Houston
With less than eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, Tracy McGrady drilled a three-pointer that gave the Houston Rockets a 14-point lead and appeared to be the final nail in the Sixers’ coffin. However, for some reason, the players didn’t get that memo. Louis Williams sparked Philly’s turnaround when when he connected with rookie Marreese Speights for an alley-oop dunk that led to a quick 6-0 run. Just like that, the Sixers were back in the game. Andre Iguodala was cold-blooded down the stretch, drilling two crucial jumpers in the final 2:15 of the game, including the game-winner, and Samuel Dalembert blocked McGrady’s potential game-tying shot as the Sixers escaped Houston with a 95-93 win.
Iguodala paced the offense for Philly with 20 points and 3 rebounds, while Andre Miller had a steady night with 16 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Dalembert, who had 6 points, 14 boards and 3 steals, was decent despite being matched up one-on-one with Yao Ming for much of the night. The Sixers also received major contributions off the bench, led by Williams poured in 17 points with 6 dimes, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Elton Brand had his best performance since returning from a dislocated right shoulder, scoring 14 points and hauling in 7 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. Brand served as the MC for Philly’s block party by accounting for 6 of the team’s 14 swats. Dalembert recorded four blocks, while Iguodala, Miller, Speights, and Royal Ivey each had one.
McGrady led the Rockets with a game-high 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block. Luis Scola picked up a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals. Yao was pretty well neutralized by Sammy D and only had 13 points and 9 rebounds. Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston contributed 8 points and 9 dimes, while Ron Artest and Carl Landry each scored 9 points off the bench.
With the win, the Sixers are 9-2 in their last 11 games after going 1-6 during a seven-game stretch from late December to early January. Philly has won four straight games over Houston for the first time since their five-game win streak from 1982-1985. It was pretty impressive that the Sixers actually out-rebounded Houston 48-40 and out-blocked the Rockets 14-2. I’m sure that both of those stat differentials were a big reason that Philly was able to overcome a dreadful 1-for-12 shooting night from beyond the arc.
The Sixers will tip-off a seven-game home stand tomorrow night when the host the worst team in the NBA, also known as the 9-36 Washington Wizards. Philly has won the two prior meetings between the teams, including a 104-89 win on December 13th and a 109-103 win on December 19th.
Go Sixers!
