Hello Walt Williams.
The Wizard, who has been red hot shooting the ball lately, scored a point per minute -- 24 points in 24 minutes -- as the Rockets dominated the lowly Chicago Bulls in every facet, winning by 45 points 123-78.
Six different Rockets scored in double figures as the team shot a sizzling 53% from the floor. They also knocked down 15 three-pointers (15-32 -- 47%).
Not only was it a 45-point ass kicking, but the Rockets held the Bulls to 40% shooting, outassisted them 32-17, outrebounded them 47-33 and had 12 turnovers to the Bulls' 20.
Geez, so much for the Lottery Race 2000 matchup... the Bulls have reached the mystical "Clipper level".
A lot of great performances, but it starts with Walt, who is averaging over 19 points per game in the past 6 games, and doing it in just 30 minutes per. Check out the clutchcity.net player profile for the Wizard listing his game by game numbers.
Walt scored 24 points, hitting 9-13 shots, including a pair of threes, in just 24 minutes.
Steve Francis, in his Rookie of the Year matchup with Chicago power man Elton Brand (24 points, 11-20 shooting, 7 boards), scored 19 points on 7-13 shooting (4-8 from three-ball), playing just 27 minutes (Brand: 36).
But if you're looking for big bright spots, look at Rocket rookie Kenny Thomas, who hasn't been much to write home about lately. Thomas finished 4 assists shy of a triple-double, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 boards, dishing 6 assists and picking 3 steals and doing it against Rookie of the Year candidate Brand.
Said Bulls coach Tim Floyd on Eltona guarding Kenny, "Defensively, Kenny Thomas had his way. There's no way we should have to go down and double on Kenny Thomas."
Shandon Anderson followed up his career night in Orlando with another good all around game... 11 points, 8 assists, 6 boards, hitting 4 of the 5 shots he took.
Cuttino Mobley scored 15 points and grabbed 5 boards and damn -- Moochie Norris let the hair out and went nuts on the scoreboard, scoring 14 points in 15 minutes on 4-7 shooting and handing out a pair of assists.
Hey, Matt Bullard is in the house! After missing the last 12 games, Bull saw his first action and was a little rusty, hitting 2-7 shots for 5 points.
Kelvin Cato hit 4-5 shots for 8 points and 3 blocks and Carlos Rogers added 8 points and 8 boards. Even Bryce Drew came off the bench and handed out 6 assists.
The game was never close... Walt got going early, scoring 10 points in the first quarter and the Rockets had a 27-13 lead after one. By half it was 60-34 Rockets...
...and that's when it got real ugly.
The Rockets outscored the Bulls 42-19 in the third period, taking a 49-point lead, 102-53, and the entire fourth quarter was left to be played.
