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12/06/2008 1:45am
Warriors fall to Rockets for eighth loss in a row
HOUSTON - The good news? Golden State Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson broke out of his slump and displayed the perks of him playing his natural position.
The bad news? The return of his stroke didn't help the Warriors' increasingly generous defense, or their rebounding, or their record. Golden State dropped its eighth straight Friday night, 131-112 to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
Jackson, who had 19 points on 4-for-22 shooting the previous two games, was every bit the scorer the Warriors need him to be. He knocked down 11 of 18 shots for 26 points to go with five assists and five rebounds, and the Warriors' offense was much more formidable with him playing the role as a scorer. They shot 61.5 percent in the first half, when Jackson had 18 of his points after making his first eight shots.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Rockets had some players knocking down shots, too, namely center Yao Ming, shooting guard Ron Artest, point guard Rafer Alston. They combined for 54 points during a second-half in which Houston shot 51.4 percent from the field. Even guard Von Wafer, who came in averaging 3.6 points, set a career-high with 18.
The Rockets also had players crashing the boards -- Yao 14, forwards Luis Scola and Carl Landry combined for 23 - and their 16 offensive rebounds led to 24 second-chance points.
"Ron Artest hit two big threes in the fourth quarter and Yao really got going in the second half," said Warriors swingman Corey Maggette, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds. "We did a lot of good things, but Houston pulled away at the end."
The game was closer than the score indicated. The Warriors even dominated in the first half, thanks largely to Jackson. His jumper was working from the outset and the Warriors looked unstoppable offensively. Up by one early in the second quarter, Jackson knocked down a turnaround jumper, then nailed a 3-pointer the next time down, putting the Warriors ahead 43-37 with 8:37 left in the first half.
It was a reappearance of the old Jackson, the one who was an assassin next to point guard Baron Davis. His focus was clearly on punishing his defender, whether it was Artest or Houston forward Shane Battier, and forcing the Rockets' defense to adjust to him.
"He has to be aggressive," guard Jamal Crawford said. "He can get any shot he wants every night. We need him to be aggressive because he's not just a scorer. He's going to make plays. He needs to do his thing and that opens it up for everybody."
Jackson said he is able to play his game because of the presence of Crawford. Not having to handle the ball, not having to concern himself too much with creating opportunities for his other teammates, not having to chase around other point guards -- it's been a new lease on life for Jackson.
"It's so much easier for me now that Jamal is here," Jackson said. "It takes a lot of pressure off. I've got more legs at the end of the games. I'm getting the ball where I want it, how I want it. When I'm able to attack and get to the spots I need to get to, and get the some good looks, that's when I'm at my best."
Of course, when Yao is at his best, which he was Friday, that trumps Jackson's best. With Tracy McGrady sidelined, Yao was forced to impose his will in the second half, and the Warriors had no answer. He finished with 33 points (27 in the second half), 14 rebounds and five assists.
Still, it was clear that the Warriors are a much better team when Jackson is off the ball and playing his game. With the addition of Crawford and expected return of Ellis, he can play to his strengths full time, instead of spend so much time playing a role he acknowledges is not so suited for his game.
That's good news for Jackson and for the Warriors.
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(c) 2008, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
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