The Houston Rockets could not afford to lose Friday night at Toyota Center versus the San Antonio Spurs, losers of five straight games. After a late-game Spurs rally which tied the game in regulation, the Rockets needed to find a way to win in order to keep pace with the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff seed in the western conference.
Rockets' team MVP Kevin Martin carried his squad on his back in OT and scored nine of Houston's 11 points in extra time. Martin also led all scorers with 31 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field. Clutch from the charity stripe, Martin sank 13-of-14 free throws on the night too.
Luis Scola had his 17th double-double of the season, going off for 21 points on 7-of-18 from the floor and grabbing 14 rebounds. Not to be outdone by his front court teammate, Chuck Hayes earned a double-double of his own by adding 10 points and 12 boards in the victory. And Kyle Lowry added 14 points and five dimes.
With only six games left in the regular season, the Houston Rockets remain three games behind the Memphis Grizzlies, who defeated the New Orleans Hornets Friday night, which effectively gives the Grizzles the upper hand against the Rockets in the playoff chase as the season winds down.
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