Jalen Rose... bfft. Cuttino was unreal and continues to add proof that his now long-running hot streak is for real. Before when Francis was out, Cuttino couldn't lead this team, but tonight, despite the loss, Cuttino hit big shot after big shot, scoring 37 points (and didn't need a single three to do it) Perhaps the Officials Union only allows so many working hours wearing those pinstripes, but for whatever reason, the refs ignored the time and called it a game after Rose's winning jumper was clearly too late.

Jalen Rose has just become the first NBA player to hit a shot in triple overtime to win a double overtime game.

The Bulls guard pulled up on a drive and clearly had the ball in his hands as time expired, but was allowed to get off the shot nonetheless, sinking the basket and giving the Bulls the 114-112 double OT win in Houston.

"It's hard to win if they count baskets after the buzzer," said Walt Williams. "I didn't think somebody could make the moves he did in 2-1/2 seconds. I saw the official, he said it was good. I couldn't believe it."

Neither could we.

The loss drops the Rockets record to 25-40, which puts the Rockets at 6th worst record in the league. The Bulls, at 17-50, have the league's worst.

Important to note that Steve Francis did not play this game. The migraine bug struck again, which means whatever the Rockets doctors think they found hasn't helped. It doesn't mean he didn't want to play -- he couldn't even drive and had a friend drive him to the arena, but the Rockets staff sent him home.

Still, the problem continues and it's a big one. What about when the Rockets are playoff contenders? Would probably have to cross Francis off for 2 games in a 7-game slate at this rate.

Get well Stevie.

On the other hand, Rose, despite the ripoff shot, was feeling pretty well. He lit the Rockets up for 44 points. He exploded for 19 points in the fourth quarter alone, hit a shot at the buzzer in overtime to force double OT, then hit the refs special for the win.

He went head to head with Cuttino Mobley, who exploded for 37 points and hit numerous clutch shots in the game. He was 16-30 from the floor and put up those point totals without hitting a single three (0-4 from long range). Put simply, I can not say enough good things about Cuttino during this run. His pull-up mid-range jumper, which for a couple of years he would jack without a thought or care, has suddenly become a high percentage money shot. He's routinely draining them with defenders draped all over him. Cuttino's jumper with Trenton Hassell in his face, tying the game at 112 with 20+ seconds left to go in double OT, was a thing of beauty.

And what about Moochie Norris. 16 assists... in the first three quarters alone! He finished with a career-high 17 dimes to go with 10 points and 5 boards. Trailing by 2 with 12 seconds left in regulation, Moochie hit one of his patented gutsy threes, drawing an explosion from the Compaq Center crowd. He played more than admirably in Stevie's absence.

Kelvin Cato had a monster night as well, putting up 15 points, 15 boards and swatting 6 Chicago shots. Like Mobley, Cato has been consistently stepping up his game.

Kenny Thomas also was huge, hitting 11-21 shots for 24 points and 5 boards, but missed a costly free throw in the final 2-3 seconds of regulation that would have put the Rockets up three. Instead Travis Best hit a long jumper at the buzzer to force overtime.