BROWNNOSE
BOOTLICKER
NBA: Houston 103, Memphis 87
HOUSTON, -- Kevin Martin led the way with 34 points Friday and Houston held Memphis scoreless for a 6-minute stretch of the first half to defeat the Grizzlies 103-87.
The Rockets picked up a morale-boosting win after learning earlier in the day center Yao Ming was lost for the season due to a stress fracture in his left ankle. Yao played just five games this season and his career has been placed in jeopardy by the injury.
Martin made 13-of-21 shots from the field, three of which were 3-pointers, while Luis Scola chipped in 23 points. Houston has won three out of four.
Kyle Lowry added 17 points for the Rockets and had a career-best 18 assists.
Houston already had a 25-13 lead with 2:30 to go in the first period when it embarked on an 18-point run. Memphis remained stuck on 13 points until 8:26 remained in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies, who had a four-game winning streak snapped, got 19 points each from Rudy Gay and Sam Young. Memphis has lost its last seven meetings with Houston.
HOUSTON, -- Kevin Martin led the way with 34 points Friday and Houston held Memphis scoreless for a 6-minute stretch of the first half to defeat the Grizzlies 103-87.
The Rockets picked up a morale-boosting win after learning earlier in the day center Yao Ming was lost for the season due to a stress fracture in his left ankle. Yao played just five games this season and his career has been placed in jeopardy by the injury.
Martin made 13-of-21 shots from the field, three of which were 3-pointers, while Luis Scola chipped in 23 points. Houston has won three out of four.
Kyle Lowry added 17 points for the Rockets and had a career-best 18 assists.
Houston already had a 25-13 lead with 2:30 to go in the first period when it embarked on an 18-point run. Memphis remained stuck on 13 points until 8:26 remained in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies, who had a four-game winning streak snapped, got 19 points each from Rudy Gay and Sam Young. Memphis has lost its last seven meetings with Houston.
