Yao Ming Wins in First Matchup Against Shaq

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 19, 2003

Yao Ming Wins in First Matchup Against Shaq

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Yao Wins in First Matchup Against Shaq

Shaq vs. Yao lived up to the hype. The first meeting between Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal proved it was worth all the attention as the Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108-104 in overtime Friday night.

The 30-year-old O'Neal, eight years Yao's senior, finished with the better statistical line �� 31 points, 13 rebounds and four assists to Yao's 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.

But the Rockets walked off with their season-high fourth victory in a row �� while ending the visiting Lakers' longest winning streak of the season at five games.

"How should I put it: We beat the Lakers today, but Shaq is still Shaq," the 7-foot-6 Yao said of the 360-pound O'Neal. "He's like a truck."

In other NBA games, it was: Milwaukee 99, Philadelphia 95; Boston 98, Indiana 93; New Jersey 88, Toronto 77; Detroit 99, New York 82; San Antonio 106, Atlanta 93; New Orleans 90, Chicago 83; Phoenix 111, Dallas 106; Denver 97, Cleveland 80; Seattle 103, Memphis 97 in overtime; and Golden State 107, Minnesota 98.

Yao blocked O'Neal's first three shots, altered Kobe Bryant's attempt at the end of regulation and dunked with 10.2 seconds left for the biggest basket of the night, giving Houston a 104-100 lead. The Chinese rookie made three of his first four shots in the game but then missed his next seven.

Steve Francis led the Rockets with a career-high 44 points, and Cuttino Mobley added 29. Bryant shot just 5-for-21 and had with 22 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

O'Neal scored the Lakers' first six points of overtime, all of them with impressive power moves against Yao. The final one was a dunk with 1:27 left that cut Houston's lead to 99-98.

O'Neal then committed a flagrant foul against Francis, and coach Phil Jackson got a technical for arguing. The three free throws made it 102-98. After Yao's dunk, Mobley made four free throws to seal the win.

Yao and O'Neal exchanged handshakes and a brief hug as they walked off the court.

"He's a classy guy," O'Neal said. "I was looking forward to playing him. He's a great player. It's another challenge for me."

Source: Agencies

Questions?Comments? Click here

Yao Ming for the First Time Injures in NBA

Yao Ming Leads Rockets to Win over Magic 91-81

Yao Ming's No. 15 Jersey Retired in China

Jiang, Bush Talk over Phone on DPRK Nuclear Issue ( 9 Messages)

China Indignant over PM Koizumi's Shrine Visit ( 7 Messages)

Thousands Protest in Los Angeles against US War against Iraq ( 2 Messages)

China's Vehicle Output Ranks World Fifth ( 2 Messages)

Reflector Installed on 'Shenzhou IV', Measurement Accuracy Greatly Raised ( 2 Messages)