Rockets Hit Low Mark, Still Win

After tying a record for the lowest-scoring quarter in the history of the franchise, the Houston Rockets rallied for what Coach Rudy Tomjanovich called one of their biggest victories of the season.

“This was more than just one win,” Tomjanovich said after the Rockets recovered from a seven-point quarter to defeat the New Orleans Hornets, 97-85, Sunday night at Houston. “We stayed calm after the third quarter.”

Cuttino Mobley had 12 of his 24 points, and Steve Francis had 12 of his 23 points, in the 38-point fourth quarter.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way we responded in the fourth quarter,” Tomjanovich said. “Cuttino got it going. I was really proud of our guys for not getting completely exasperated.”

Mobley realized the Rockets had to turn it around.

“We came out flat in the third period,” he said. “We knew we had to come our hard in the fourth. We didn’t run anything in the third. They were pushing us out of position and trying to be a little physical.”

The third quarter matched the worst for the Rockets, tying a mark set against the Lakers on Nov. 15, 1991.

Jamal Mashburn had 25 points for New Orleans, but the Hornets lost their fourth in a row and seventh of eight. Houston had lost a season-high three in a row.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves because we have spent a lot of time on the road,” Hornet Coach Paul Silas said. “You still have to make plays that will win games for you and we didn’t do that.”

Phoenix 103, Cleveland 84 -- Rookie Amare Stoudemire made up for the absence of leading scorer Shawn Marion, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the surging Suns at Cleveland.

Stoudemire dominated inside with an active game that had defenders reaching and fouling in an effort to stop him. The 6-foot-8 forward, drafted in the first round out of high school, made a career-best 11 of 15 free throws.

“We’re always talking about him, saying, ‘Man, did you see that?’ ” said guard Anfernee Hardaway, who scored 16 points to help the Suns win their fifth in a row.

“He’s got unbelievable talent and a chance to be outstanding,” Cavalier guard Milt Palacio said. “He’s quick, strong and hustles. That’s a dangerous combination.”

Marion, averaging 20.4 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds, was not in uniform because of a sprained left ankle suffered against the Clippers on Friday.