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Wednesday, Feb. 7 7:00pm ET
Rockets improve to 13-3 vs. East

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Steve Francis didn't remember what happened. The Philadelphia 76ers won't forget anytime soon.

Francis and Cuttino Mobley each scored 23 points and Hakeem Olajuwon added 18 points and 14 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Sixers 112-87 Wednesday night.

Cuttino Mobley
Cuttino Mobley beats the Sixers' Theo Ratliff to the hoop for two his 23 points in Houston's blowout win in Philly.

But Francis left a bigger impression on Philadelphia by engaging in a shouting match with Sixers coach Larry Brown after the game.

Brown was upset that Dan Langhi scored off an alley-oop pass from Shandon Anderson as time expired. Francis yelled back at Brown as the teams left the court.

"I don't even remember. My head was hurting," Francis said.

Brown wouldn't address the matter other than saying, "They played great until the last five-tenths of a second."

Tyrone Hill and many of his teammates were livid.

"You've got to show Coach Brown more respect," Hill said. "You don't scream and curse him out. I like Steve Francis, but when you're up (23), you throw the ball inbounds and let time run out. I'm shocked."

The Rockets, just 11-22 in the Western Conference, improved to 13-3 against the East by defeating the team with the NBA's best record.

Allen Iverson had 26 points on 10-for-28 shooting and Theo Ratliff added 14 for Philadelphia, which slipped to 36-14.

The Sixers enter the All-Star break with three losses in their last four games. Houston has won two straight.

"We just had that killer instinct," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Our spacing and our shooting and decision-making was very good."

Houston took its biggest lead, 70-48, on two free throws by Olajuwon midway through the third quarter. A buzzer-beating jumper by Iverson cut it to 81-69 after three.

But the Sixers missed six straight to start the fourth quarter and Houston pulled away with a 15-2 run. A 3-pointer by Matt Bullard gave the Rockets a 96-71 lead with 7:08 left. Philadelphia didn't get closer than 22 the rest of the way.

"We're taking too many bad shots and too many quick shots," Brown said.

Olajuwon, coming off an 18-point, nine-rebound performance in a 100-86 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday, made 7-of-14.

Bullard scored 11 points in the second quarter, including nine on 3-pointers as Houston took a 52-24 halftime lead. Bullard, who had just seven points combined in the last five games, finished with 18.

"I feel comfortable to be in the flow with the offense," Olajuwon said. "That's what I've been trying to do all along because I know I can help."

The Rockets outscored the Sixers 20-6 to close the first quarter, including a 12-0 run that gave them an 18-15 lead. Philadelphia went 4:32 without a field goal and never regained the lead.

"I didn't see it," Iverson said about the final play. "I don't see anything wrong with it if that's the type of players they are. I guess it felt real good to them that they beat us."

Game notes
Iverson had scored 30 or more in five straight. He got a technical foul in the fourth quarter after complaining about a non-foul call. ... Ratliff has blocked at least one shot in 49 consecutive games. ... Olajuwon blocked shots by Iverson and George Lynch on consecutive possessions in the second quarter. His 14 rebounds were a season-high. ... The Rockets are 16-4 when scoring more than 100 points and the Sixers are 3-5 when allowing 100 or more. ... Rodney Buford scored 13 points in a reserve role for the Sixers.
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Houston Clubhouse

Philadelphia Clubhouse


Olajuwon now says he wants to finish year with Rockets


RECAPS
Boston 94
Milwaukee 91

Houston 112
Philadelphia 87

San Antonio 107
Cleveland 89

New York 96
Dallas 93

Orlando 107
Washington 98

Minnesota 117
Sacramento 88

Portland 97
Seattle 80

Golden State 89
LA Clippers 88

LA Lakers 85
Phoenix 83

Utah 92
Vancouver 82

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Rudy Tomjanovich Official Site

Larry Brown Official Site


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