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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
HOUSTON (AP) – Jason Kidd has no trouble scoring against the
Houston Rockets, regardless of the uniform he's wearing.
|  | | Jason Kidd's previous career-high (38 points) also came against the Rockets. He scored Phoenix's final 17 points. |
Kidd scored a career-high 43 points, including 16 of Phoenix's last 17 points, as the Suns rallied past the Rockets 90-85 Thursday night.
Kidd shot 16-for-34 from the field and 6-for-8 from the line and beat his previous high of 38 points, which he scored against the Rockets on April 11, 1995, as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks.
"I had no idea how many points I had until the horn went off,"
Kidd said. "I don't keep track of points by quarter. I thought I might have had a career high for the game because I don't score that many points."
The Suns won their sixth straight and beat the Rockets for the
13th time in 18 games, enhancing their playoff chances and damaging
the Rockets' hopes.
"This was a playoff atmosphere tonight," Kidd said. "Both teams are fighting for their lives. This is a big win for us on the road, heading into the playoffs. We know we can go anywhere and win."
Hakeem Olajuwon, playing in his second game since recovering
from a blood disorder, led Houston with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Houston led 64-52 with 9:32 left in the third quarter, but
couldn't hold the lead.
A basket by Kidd with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter completed
a 23-6 run that gave the Suns a 75-70 lead.
"We went to a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap and that busted up their
offense rhythm," Suns coach Scott Skiles said. "They started
missing some shots and we got some quick points."
Houston scored seven straight points for a 77-75 lead with 7:37
to play, but Kidd took over, hitting six straight baskets,
including a 3-pointer, for an 88-83 lead with 2:27 to play.
"We had a team meeting recently and the guys told me that I needed to be more offensive minded," Kidd said. "I don't want to be selfish, but they've told me to look for my shot.
"Sometimes I need to be reminded to look for the basket. I've
been more aggressive ever sense."
Olajuwon scored Houston's final basket on a tip-in with 1:42 to play.
"He's good, but not that good," Olajuwon said of Kidd. "He didn't miss."
Trailing 35-31 midway in the second quarter, Moochie Norris
scored 11 points in a 19-5 run that gave the Rockets at 50-40
halftime lead.
"We didn't get back on defense and Kidd is a guy who will kill
you in those situations," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"You can double team him but we didn't want to do that because
then you get those other guys involved.
"He was just beating us down court. He's amazing. He gets in the 2-3 and the 2-on-1 situations better than anyone in the league."
Game notes
The Rockets have rallied from double-digit deficits to win nine times this season. ... Kidd's previous career high was 38 points. ... Kidd is attempting to become the fourth player in NBA history to win the assist title three straight years. He had four assists against the Rockets.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Houston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 116
Golden State 100
Atlanta 104
Indiana 93
Milwaukee 104
Miami 96
San Antonio 106
Utah 88
Boston 106
Chicago 104
Phoenix 90
Houston 85
Vancouver 89
New York 68
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