Cold-shooting Cavs lose to Rockets 81-63

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Cleveland shot just 28 percent from the field.

HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James watched another open shot clang off the rim, then screamed as he turned and trotted down the court.

It was that kind of night for the Cleveland Cavaliers — so bad, it almost ended up in the record books.

Yao Ming scored 24 points and the Houston Rockets overcame a mild concussion to Tracy McGrady to beat the cold-shooting Cavs 81-63 Saturday night.

James scored 21, but was 7-for-22 from the field. Cleveland shot 28 percent (22-for-78) as a team, flirting with its all-time worst shooting performance (23.8 percent), set in 1970.

Close to record low

The Cavaliers' point total was just four points ahead of their all-time low for a game (59), set in 1997 against San Antonio.

"You shoot 28 percent from the field, you don't have a chance to win," said James.

The Rockets' offense was only slightly better after McGrady took an inadvertent elbow from Dikembe Mutombo in the first quarter and did not return.

Luther Head hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 for the Rockets, who've won five of their last six games and five in a a row at home. Rafer Alston added 10 points and four assists and Juwan Howard grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds.

The Rockets outrebounded Cleveland 55-41, the 12th time in 16 games that Houston has won the battle of the boards.

Miserable first half

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, failed to reach 20 points in any quarter. They mustered a meager 10 in the second quarter after missing their last 14 shots of the first half.

Cleveland coach Mike Brown praised Houston for shutting down the Cavs. The Rockets came into the game with the league's top scoring defense (89 points per game).

"They keep scrambling, they keep doing what they need to do to put themselves in position defensively to win the ball game," he said.

James said the Cavs should take more of the blame.

"Most of the shots we missed were good looks or shots we usually make," he said.

The Rockets built a 20-11 lead in the first quarter after James missed five of his first six shots with Shane Battier guarding him.

Monday, December 4, 2006