Rockets hang on to beat visiting Pistons_娱乐_双语阅读-查字典英语网

Rockets hang on to beat visiting Pistons

As much as the Rockets might have toyed with the notion that they were blowing out the Detroit Pistons, pouncing from the start and leading by as much as 20 points, that was not enough to get a win. As spectacularly as they started, the Rockets defeated the Pistons 91-85 before 17,345 at Toyota Center on Thursday with how they finished.

They had lost all but the last four points of a 17-point fourth quarter lead, but the Rockets recovered just in time, with a Rafer Alston drive, Tracy McGrady jumper and Yao Ming block closing out the Pistons.

The Rockets had led by 15 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining, but the Pistons scored on each of their next five possessions in a 13-2 run capped by a Chauncey Billups 3-pointer that reduced the Rockets' lead to 86-82.

McGrady had missed all three of his fourth-quarter shots. Yao had just hit a jumper, but that had made him just 2-of-5 in the quarter after he had made 8 of 13 shots for 23 points through three quarters when the Rockets led by as much as 20. He finished with 27, making 10 of 19 shots.

Alston, who made five of seven shots for 16 points with six rebounds and six assists, sank a runner in the lane to interrupt the Pistons' run, and after a Billups free throw, McGrady put in a baseline jumper. But the Rockets could not get the stops they had to have until the final minute.

After an Antonio McDyess jumper reduced the Rockets' lead to five, Carlos Delfino broke down the lane and toward the rim, only to have Yao meet him to swat away his shot. Yao's first block of the night came with 22 seconds remaining.