ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Thursday, Apr. 5 8:30pm ET
McMillan more upset with execution than no-call

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

HOUSTON (AP) -- Ruben Patterson thought he was fouled. Kenny Thomas wasn't sure.

With Houston leading 89-88 and 10 seconds to play, Thomas blocked Patterson's shot in the lane and then dunked it at the other end of the court to give the Rockets a 91-88 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Thursday night.

"I don't want to make a comment, but I got fouled and I didn't get the call," said Patterson, who finished with 12 points. "The situation was what I wanted and I guess the ref didn't want to make that call at crunch time, but I got fouled."

Thomas, who got his 18th start of the year in place of the injured Maurice Taylor, was bewildered when asked about the final seconds.

"I thought I heard a whistle," Thomas said of the play. "It was kind of loud in here. I don't think it's been that loud in a long time.

"Then the next thing I know, the ball is in my hands and I slammed it. I didn't even know how much time was left. I thought there was about a minute or so to go."

The Rockets were just glad Thomas, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, was on the spot.

"Kenny played a tremendous game," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He made some explosive plays and then had the big block at the end. It was what we needed.

"I'm very proud of the way he just found a way to get the job done. He ran the court, he dunked it, he blocked shots, he banged with bigger guys underneath. He's a warrior."

Seattle coach Nate McMillan was unhappy with his team's performance throughout the game, much less at the end.

"We didn't show any patience in that situation," McMillan said of the last play. "They knew the play that was called and the Rockets were scrambling. We've practiced that situation over and over to get the point guard (Gary Payton) the ball. We just have to show patience and execute the play. Instead we rushed it and we turned the ball over."

McMillan said a timeout would not have helped the Sonics late.

"We had just scored on that play the last time down," he said. "Either Gary Payton is supposed to create or Ruben Patterson is supposed to go to the basket. If I had called time out, I would have just told them the same play and they would have a chance to set their defense. It's a simple play. It's April now. We've got to know how to make the plays by now."

Cuttino Mobley had 21 points, Steve Francis 16 and Shandon Anderson 15 as the Rockets overcame a Sonics rallied from as many as 14 down.

Seattle outscored Houston 8-0 in a 1:49 span late in the fourth to tie the game at 84.

Payton and Vin Baker each had 20 points for Seattle. After winning 10 of 11, the Sonics have now lost their last two.

Beginning with 6:38 to go in the first, Payton scored six consecutive points over the next 3½ minutes to put Seattle up 18-13 before Mobley hit three of four 3-pointers to help the Rockets forge a 22-22 tie at the end of the quarter.

Houston used a 15-2 run to move ahead 46-36 before taking a 47-41 halftime lead.

Francis scored eight points in an 11-2 Rockets third-quarter run. Their lead reached 14 points before Houston ended the period with a 70-58 advantage.

Game notes
The Rockets placed Maurice Taylor (sore left and right Achilles' tendons) on the injured list for the remainder of the year and activated guard Sean Colson. ... Carlos Rogers missed the game with conjunctivitis (pink eye) in both eyes. ... The Sonics are 38-4 when leading entering the fourth quarter.

Send this story to a friend
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Seattle Clubhouse

Houston Clubhouse

RECAPS
New York 93
Washington 80

Sacramento 92
Utah 86

LA Lakers 100
Chicago 88

Dallas 108
Atlanta 94

Houston 91
Seattle 88

San Antonio 101
Denver 80


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.