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Wednesday, Mar. 7 7:30pm ET
Rockets overcome 23-point deficit – twice

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ATLANTA (AP) – Steve Francis didn't think Houston's latest comeback was special. No big deal, he said.

Kelvin Cato
Rockets center Kelvin Cato gets an easy fourth-quarter basket.
But it was.

Francis scored 17 of his 31 points in the final period, including the winning 3-point basket with 25.3 seconds left, as the Rockets overcame a pair of 23-point deficits Wednesday night to beat Atlanta 104-98 and send the Hawks to their season-high ninth consecutive loss.

"This is a typical Rockets game this season," said Francis. "Our backs were to the wall but we didn't give up and kicked it in in the second half."

Francis hit his 3-pointer to put the Rockets ahead 100-98 after Atlanta, which lost its seventh in a row at home, had taken a 98-95 lead on a free throw by Lorenzen Wright with 1:17 left.

The Rockets won for the 11th time in 14 games in their late-season rush for a playoff spot.

"It was unbelievable," said Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon, who injured his left calf in the opening period and watched the rest of the game from the locker room.

"I was in here watching. It was amazing after not being able to do anything right in the first half."

The 23-point deficit matched the franchise record of coming from behind to win. Houston previously accomplished the feat in January of 1977, beating Portland in overtime.

"I remember I made the shot in that game that put us in overtime," said Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

Houston's Walt Williams, who had 17 points, added two free throws with 16.8 seconds remaining and Francis made a pair with 3.4 seconds left as Houston scored the final nine points of the game.

"It's definitely a low point," said Atlanta's Jason Terry, who had 20 points. "It's the worst. We had that game. But, you've got to take it on the chin and go on."

With Toni Kukoc scoring 23 first-half points, hitting on eight of his first nine shots, including four of five 3-point baskets, the Hawks built a 23-point lead twice, the last with 5:08 remaining before halftime on a dunk by DerMarr Johnson.

Kukoc, however, managed only three points in the second half to finish with 26.

"He was hitting everything in sight, but we did a good job on him in the second half," said Francis.

The Rockets got within four points, 75-71, on a three-point play by Shandon Anderson with 47 seconds left in the third period and went ahead on a 3-point basket by Cuttino Mobley that made it 84-83 four minutes into the final period.

Mobley finished with 21 points, Anderson added 15 and Kelvin Cato had 14 for Houston.

Atlanta went back ahead on a basket by Wright at 94-92 with 3:06 left in the game and held in until Francis' 3-pointer.

Wright added 18 points for Atlanta, including 11 in the final period.

Game notes
The 59 first-half points by the Hawks were a season high. Atlanta had 58 on three different occasions. ... Atlanta's last win was 98-91 at Golden State on Feb. 28. The Hawks' last home victory was Jan. 31, a 102-97 decision over Toronto. ... Atlanta guard Brevin Knight left the game in the fourth period with a cut on his chin. He received three stitches, but said he wouldn't miss any playing time. ... Olajuwon started and played the first 10 minutes before leaving with the strained left calf muscle. He did not return and is listed as day-to-day. Olajuwon was 0-for-2 from the field and was scoreless for only the second time in his career. He still needs 21 points to pass John Havlicek (26,395) for ninth place on the NBA's career scoring list.

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