RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
HOUSTON (AP) -- Cuttino Mobley made his first start for the
Houston Rockets and provided the same old spark.
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Mobley, who has led all NBA bench players with a 17.4 average,
pumped in eight of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter as
the Rockets beat the Charlotte Hornets 84-80 Thursday night and won
their fifth straight home game.
Mobley has made a habit of saving his best for late in the game,
averaging 10.3 points in fourth quarters alone before Thursday.
"He gets that many when he comes off the bench," coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said. "He's not really a bench player though. He's one
of those guys who can heat up in a minute.
"He's had 30 coming off the bench. He gives us a dimension a lot of teams don't have."
Mobley started Thursday because forward Walt Williams was out
with a strained hip and groin. Shandon Anderson, who normally starts at off guard, switched to small forward to start the game, and Mobley started at guard.
Mobley did not score in the first quarter and scored six points
in the first half. He went 0-for-4 from the field in the first
period.
Mobley was asked if he preferred to start or come off the bench.
"Whatever is best for the team," Mobley said. "Walt was hurt
and it's my job to step in. But I love the minutes.
"It's no big deal whether I start. I didn't find out I was
starting until the shootaround this morning, but it didn't matter
to me. I play the same game regardless."
Charlotte's Jamal Mashburn, who had 18 points and a game-high 11
rebounds, agreed.
"The Rockets are really good, especially at the guard position
where they've got Cuttino and Steve (Francis)," Mashburn said.
"They were doing all that damage in the fourth quarter. They came
to win tonight."
Baron Davis topped the Hornets with 20 points, but coach Paul
Silas bemoaned the fact his team faded in the stretch after leading
by seven midway through the third quarter.
"This was a close one and we're going to play more close ones
no doubt," Silas said. "We have to find a way to be consistent
down the stretch and close these out. Houston plays very loose and
they're a team that can break you down with the dribble. They did
that tonight."
Maurice Taylor added 17 points, Steve Francis scored 13 and Hakeem Olajuwon finished with 11.
David Wesley scored 14 and Derrick Coleman 12.
Olajuwon made his presence felt early, scoring seven points to
help push Houston ahead 15-12. But Mashburn scored five quick
points and Wesley added a layup as Charlotte surged ahead, 19-15,
with 2:26 left in the first.
The Hornets led 21-19 at the end of the period as Mashburn and
Olajuwon each led their teams with nine points and four rebounds.
The Rockets scored nine unanswered points midway through the
second period for a 38-29 lead. Mobley scored his first six points
and rookie Jason Collier hit a pair of baskets from outside in the
run.
Olajuwon's 11 points led the Rockets, who led 47-41 at halftime.
Mashburn scored 12 in the first half and Wesley 10.
Charlotte tied the game by scoring the first six points of the
third quarter.
The Hornets used an 8-0 run for a 59-52 lead with 4:48 remaining
in the period.
Houston scored six straight to tie it at 59, but Charlotte led
65-64 at the end of the third period.
Davis scored eight points in the third quarter, while Mobley scored nine in the period.
Game notes
Walt Williams missed Thursday's game due to a strained right
hip and groin. He's day-to-day. ... The Rockets are 0-4 when
opponents score 100 points. ... Entering Thursday's game, the
Hornets allowed opponents an average of only 88.1 points, currently
seventh in the NBA and a figure that would be a club record if they
maintain it for the season. ... David Wesley extended his franchise
record for consecutive starts to 212.
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NBA Scoreboard
Charlotte Clubhouse
Houston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Portland 86
Toronto 80
San Antonio 99
Washington 95
LA Lakers 112
Sacramento 110
Houston 84
Charlotte 80
Denver 89
Chicago 85
Utah 99
Orlando 84
LA Clippers 76
Vancouver 72
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