Olajuwon’s Return Fuels Rocket Victory

Hakeem Olajuwon is back and the Houston Rockets seem to think they are too.

Olajuwon returned from the injured list just in time to show a few of his moves and contribute to a blowout second quarter Tuesday night as the Houston Rockets rolled to a 109-86 victory over the Utah Jazz at Houston, handing the Jazz its worst loss of the season.

“It was great to have Dream back and sharp,” Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “He’s an amazing player and an amazing person. It was particularly amazing that he was so sharp after missing nine games.

“He’s our pillar of strength. He means so much to us. He gives us all an emotional boost.”

The Rockets ended a three-game losing streak and kept alive slim hopes of making the playoffs. The Jazz lost to the Rockets for only the second time in the last 16 games between the teams.

“I felt I was comfortable,” Olajuwon said. “My conditioning was much better than I thought. Conditioning is the key. Physically, I am very strong.”

Utah’s previous worst loss was 105-90 to the Sacramento Kings on March 11, and this one didn’t sit well with Coach Jerry Sloan.

“We wanted to win tonight but it looked to me like we packed it in,” Sloan said. “You’ll have to ask them. I’m totally shocked we didn’t show more effort.”

Olajuwon thought his season and possibly his career was over two weeks ago when doctors said he needed to be sidelined for three to six months for treatment of a blood clot in his lower left leg, but further testing led to his return to the lineup.

Olajuwon sat out the first quarter and then got a standing ovation and a “Welcome back Hakeem” from the crowd when he reported for the start of the second.

“That was a pleasant surprise,” Olajuwon said. “There’s no question as to why I love Houston. It was a great feeling to beat them so comfortably from the beginning.”

Olajuwon, who went on the injured list March 15, had 11 points in 21 minutes and led the Rockets with seven rebounds. Steve Francis led the Rockets with 18 points and nine assists.

Boston 115, Atlanta 112--Paul Pierce scored 41 points and Eric Williams made a reverse layup with 17.8 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Celtics at Atlanta.

Pierce, averaging 36.6 points over the Celtics’ last seven games, made a three-point shot from the top of the key with 13.8 seconds left in regulation to tie the score, 105-105.

Bryant Stith’s 16-foot jumper fell off the rim with less than one second to play in regulation.

Indiana 110, Washington 102--Jalen Rose had 35 points and 12 assists, and Reggie Miller scored 27 points at Washington to help the Pacers end a seven-game road losing streak.

San Antonio 93, Charlotte 79--Tim Duncan scored 24 of his 34 points in the first half and grabbed 19 rebounds at San Antonio.