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Monday, Dec. 11 10:00pm ET
Tomjanovich gets victory No. 399

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Houston Rockets' Cuttino Mobley is making a run at the NBA's Sixth Man Award.

Mobley, who finished second in the voting for last season's Sixth Man, scored 16 points and helped the Rockets overcome a poor shooting performance in an 82-75 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies on Monday night.

Houston reserves outscored their Vancouver counterparts 42-24. Matt Bullard scored 12 points, including three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to give the Rockets an 11-point cushion midway through the period. Reserve forward Kenny Thomas contributed 12 rebounds for the Rockets.

"Cuttino's not really a bench player," insisted Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who recorded his 399th career victory. "He's an important part of this team who does everything asked of him. He has the complete package."

Mobley, who added seven rebounds in 39 minutes, finished second in last year's Sixth Man balloting to Rodney Rogers of Phoenix. His 17.5 scoring average should make him a factor in this year's voting.

"He really is a well-rounded player, and he thrives in the role he's playing," Bullard said of Mobley.

"I really don't try to score," Mobley said. "I really just try and pick apart teams by passing to create opportunities."

Houston, which shot 41 percent, received a solid contribution from guard Steve Francis, who added 15 points.

"I had a dismal shooting performance," Francis said. "But I thought my teammates did a good job, stepping up, hitting a lot of big shots when it counted."

The Grizzlies' Ike Austin missed the game because of the flu and guard Michael Dickerson aggravated a foot injury he picked up in training camp four minutes into the game.

Dickerson did not return. His status will be determined Tuesday, coach Sidney Lowe said.

"Obviously that took a little bit out of our club, but I thought the guys hung in there and fought back," Lowe said.

Poor shot selection down the stretch hurt the Grizzlies, who faced an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 26 points for Vancouver, which shot 38 percent and lost its third straight.

"If we're to have any chance of making the playoffs, this is the type of game we have to win," said Tomjanovich, who is now within a win of becoming the 29th NBA coach to record 400 victories.

Tomjanovich, ninth among active NBA coaches in career victories, will try for No. 400 at Golden State on Thursday.

Game notes
Center Tony Massenburg made his first start for Vancouver since May 5, 1999. He played a season-best 17 minutes. ... Vancouver fans continually booed Houston's Francis, who caused an uproar when the Grizzlies made him their first pick of the 1999 draft. ... Attendance was announced at 12,125. ... Shandon Anderson surpassed the 1,000 rebound mark. ... Vancouver plays host to Seattle on Wednesday.
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Houston Clubhouse

Vancouver Clubhouse

RECAPS
Minnesota 96
Philadelphia 91

Phoenix 86
Chicago 80

San Antonio 91
Utah 83

Houston 82
Vancouver 75

LA Clippers 92
Orlando 80

AUDIO/VIDEO
video
 Matt Bullard dishes to Steve Francis for a spectacular slam.
avi: 512 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Rudy Tomjanovich Official Site

Mike Bibby Official Site


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