Olajuwon Lifts Rockets To Win

April 15, 1999 / 12:59 AM EDT / CBS/AP

First, Hakeem Olajuwon attacked the Vancouver Grizzles. Then the Rockets hit them with their bench.

Olajuwon had 27 points and 12 rebounds and became the eighth player in NBA history to make 10,000 field goals, leading the Houston Rockets to a 102-85 victory over Vancouver on Wednesday night.

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"It's a milestone, a big accomplishment," Olajuwon said. "I've had a long career, 15 years, and I still enjoy the game. I feel fortunate to play for the same team in the same city for so long and still be on top of my game."

Olajuwon scored Houston's first 13 points and had 17 at the half as the Rockets handed the Grizzlies their 17th consecutive road loss. Olajuwon got his 10,000th basket with 4:07 to go in the third quarter and received a standing ovation.

The Grizzlies are two road losses short of the club record losing streak. Their last road victory came Feb. 16 in a 93-89 double overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I don't think it was an easy win, it was difficult," Olajuwon said. "The bench made some big plays. They did a wonderful job and gave us a big boost."

Houston's bench outscored the Grizzlies reserves 50-23, led by Bryce Drew and Sam Mack with 18 points each.

"Our bench really came on," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Bryce Drew had a nice game. You can see his confidence building with each game. You can see his confidence building with the 3-pointers. That's what we thought was his strong point.

"Sam Mack also gave us a big lift. It's significant when you get guys coming off the bench. It's a hard thing to do. A lot of guys can't do it."

Drew and Mack each hit 7-of-11 from the field and each had four 3-point goals.

"I was able to get a couple of shots to go down and you become confident when that happens," Drew said. "I know I'm a good shooter but I have to prove that I can shoot in the game."

he Rockets needed Olajuwon's fast start to take a 44-38 halftime lead and Michael Dickerson, scoreless at the half, gave Houston a boost with 11 third-quarter points, including nine in a row for the Rockets. Dickerson finished with 11 points.

The Rockets built their lead to 76-61 going into the fourth quarter and rested their starters for much of the fourth period.

The Rockets fell behind 21-11 to start the game, but a 15-2 run gave them a 26-23 lead with 9:10 to go in the half. Olajuwon was 6-for-6 in the first quarter and the rest of the team was 2-for-11.

"I thought after our initial run we did a poor job of executing offensively during the second quarter," Grizzlies coach Brian Hill said. "Their bench really hurt us tonight. Sam Mack and Bryce Drew hit a lot of 3-point shots."

Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Tony Massenburg each scored 16 points for the Grizzlies.

"They basically did a better job on everything," Abdur-Rahim said. "They had a good transition game and got a lot of easy baskets. The guys off Houston's bench did a great job and Hakeem played well."

Notes: The Rockets are 12-0 versus Canadian teams in Compaq Center, 8-0 against Vancouver and 4-0 against Toronto. ... Rodrick Rhodes, obtained from the Rockets in a trade for Sam Mack on March 11, has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury. ... Olajuwon also is 41 points from surpassing Jerry West for 11th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.