Too much Yao Ming

The Washington Wizards lost Brendan Haywood for the game in the second quarter to a deep left thigh bruise. With 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter the Wizards also lost Etan Thomas to a left ankle injury. Despite the lost of their big men the Wizards still played big, but fell short and were defeated 114-109 by the Houston Rockets.

“It was a tough loss for us,” said Coach Eddie Jordan of Saturday’s loss, “but there were some positives. The effort was there.”

Led by Gilbert Arenas, who scored 41-points, the Wizards (9-11) matched Yao Ming’s huge effort down the stretch despite losing their two centers. But last month’s Western Conference “Player of the Month” proved too big and accurate for the Wizards. After Thomas’ fourth quarter departure Ming with his 17-points to that point, showed why he is the League’s most dominant “big man.” Guarded by rookie James Lang and veteran Calvin Booth, Ming scored 21-points, shooting six for six from the field and nine for 10 from the free-throw line. From both side of the box Ming was equally dominating, shooting turnaround jumpers amidst tough Wizards opposition. Jordan, who played with Kareem Abdul Jabbar, one of the League’s most dominating big men ever, said of Ming, that the League has never seen a big man as dominating on both sides of the box as Ming.
“He killed us in that fourth quarter,” said Arenas who changed his sneakers in the second quarter after shooting 0-of-6 in the first quarter. “What hurt us down the stretch is they were in the penalty with nine minutes [left]. From there they were just shooting free throws the whole time. We fought and we kept at it. The big kid hit big shots.”

The Wizards were down by seven points (88-81) with 8:52 remaining in the game when Arenas, who heated up after his slow start, hitting 13-of-24 shots, made back-to-back 3-point shots to reduce Houston’s lead to one. After Ming converted one of his six fourth quarter shots, the Wizards’ guard Antonio Daniels made a free throw as a result of a technical foul called on ex-Wizards Juwan Howard, arguing a foul against Antawn Jamison charged to him. Jamsion, who finished with 27-points, made three free-throws and gave the Wizards a one point lead.

Houston (14-6) rebuilt their lead to eight points, but the Wizards, trying to reach .500, continued to fight for their 10th victory. Arenas driving layup with 1:05 left reduced Houston’s lead to four, but Ming, on an assist from Luther Head scored on a layup.

With the Wizards down by four points with less than 45-seconds remaining Arenas penetrated into the paint, but was met by a few Houston defenders. Unable to get off a shot Arenas made a difficult pass to Booth standing beyond the arc. With no options but to shoot, Booth fired up and converted a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, which brought 20,173 fans to their feet.

“I don’t really shoot threes per se,” said Booth about his unexpected field goal. “But I do consider myself more of a jump shooter than a post-up guy; so I looked around and nobody was open; so I was like I mine as well take it – give it a shot.”

With 11-seconds remaining Ming quieted the excited Verizon Center fans, chanting “De-fense, De-fense,” when he hit his final turnaround jumpers. Arenas tried to answer with a 3-point attempt, but missed.

“We had a chance to tie the game. I thought Gil had a terrific look in the corner,” Jordan said of Arenas’ last field goal attempt. He’s [Ming] got it going this year. To be in a game when you have Yao Ming going really well, even against double teams and different schemes – it’s a credit to our guys that we got a chance to tie the game.”

The injuries suffered by Thomas and Haywood, who collectively combined for four points and seven rebounds, occurred trying to defend the 7-foot-6-inch Ming. Thomas rolled his ankle on Ming’s size 18, and Haywood was kneed by the 310 pound Ming. Both players are listed day-to-day.

Houston’s Tracy McGrady, who finished with 28-points, exited the game in the fourth quarter because of back spasms.