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Francis might miss tonight's game

Feb 22, 2003 8:32 AM EST

The Houston Chronicle reports: Last night, Steve Francis played 36 minutes with a sore lower back and now might have to sit out tonight's game against Memphis.

"I'm definitely going to look at that tonight and tomorrow and think about longevity instead of the short-term thing," Francis said after Friday's game.

Francis treated the back throughout the game, wearing a heating pad when he was out and during some timeouts. He had arrived at Compaq Center on Friday, his 26th birthday, at 2:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. start and after hours of massage, decided he could play.

"It's pretty sore," Francis said. "I thought I could help my team. I'm not going to lie. I was definitely a couple steps slow tonight. Sometimes you have to play when you're hurt."

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies

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Yo, Yao! Ming's the real thing

Feb 13, 2003 6:42 PM EST

Please, by all means, bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. And while you're at it, bring your 7-foot-6, 300-pound centers, too. By now it seems obvious Houston center Yao Ming — the NBA's latest exotic import — is as real as the Great Wall itself. Some believed he would be an instant sensation when drafted first overall last summer. Others were less optimistic. They believed he was a risk, considering the Rockets had their choice of any player in the draft.

Via Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets

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Listless Jazz drop rematch with the Rockets

Feb 13, 2003 6:41 PM EST

One night after so much went so right for the Jazz, so much went so wrong. On Tuesday, in an overtime win over the Houston Rockets, hero Matt Harpring was hitting a three-pointer to force the OT and Karl Malone was scoring 33 points despite breaking his nose, and 40-year-old John Stockton was practically pulling off a triple-double.

On Wednesday, in a 106-76 loss to the very same Rockets, Harpring couldn't hit a watermelon with a sledgehammer, and Malone mustered only 13 after getting bonked in the beak yet again and Stockton tallied his lowest assist total — one — since his rookie season.

Via Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets

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Rockets Feb 2003 Archive

  • Rockets take no chances with Jazz

    Houston Chronicle | Feb 13, 2003

    The leads seemed safe.

  • Yao! Utah Fans Were Expecting a Better Show

    Salt Lake Tribune | Feb 13, 2003

    Good thing we have seen all those highlights to prove that Houston's Yao Ming is an emerging superstar, because if we had to judge strictly on his Utah debut against the Jazz on Wednesday night, we might not believe it.

  • Francis Sparks Rockets' Rout of Listless Jazz

    Salt Lake Tribune | Feb 13, 2003

    One night, Karl Malone gets belted in the nose.

  • Jazz force an OT, win

    Deseret News | Feb 12, 2003

    As if facing the Houston Rockets twice in two nights wasn't enough, the Jazz wanted to play a few extra minutes Tuesday.

  • Familiar foe deals this franchise yet another crushing blow

    Houston Chronicle | Feb 12, 2003

    They don't beat you down.

  • Jazz keep beat in overtime

    Houston Chronicle | Feb 12, 2003

    For all the times the Rockets wanted to just forget everything and take a swing at Karl Malone, here was their chance.

  • Jazz take Round 1

    Standard-Examiner | Feb 12, 2003

    Karl Malone's broken nose and Matt Harpring's sore ribs didn't matter in the end.

  • Harpring, Malone Fuel Jazz Rally

    Salt Lake Tribune | Feb 12, 2003

    It's probably fitting that the local Lakewood Church's congregation has bought the soon-to-be-abandoned Compaq Center.

  • Yao both skilled and humble

    Deseret News | Feb 11, 2003

    From a small round table with plenty of seats to accommodate everyone interested in talking with him, Houston guard Steve Francis glanced at the commotion in the corner.

  • Rockets' playoff fight is n

    Houston Chronicle | Feb 11, 2003

    "We can change the look over everything if we can get wins," Rockets guard Steve Francis said.

  • Posey: Incident was blown out of proportion

    Houston Chronicle | Feb 11, 2003

    Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports: Rockets forward James Posey confirmed Tuesday that he was involved in an incident at the NBA Players Association party Saturday in Atlanta, but said he was not in a fight and that Pacers forward Ron Artest was not involved.