Yao's Rockets lost to the Warriors
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-20 17:18

Rookie Mickael Pietrus scored a career-high 20 points and the Golden State Warriors won their third straight game, 90-84 over Houston on Friday night.

Houston Rockets' Jim Jackson, left, and Cuttino Mobley help up Yao Ming of China during the second half against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, March 19, 2004, in Oakland, Calif. [AP]

Troy Murphy added 16 points — eight straight during one stretch in the second quarter — to help the Warriors end a 15-game home losing streak against the Rockets. Murphy, coming back from foot and ankle injuries, was taken to the locker room with 1:09 left.

Cuttino Mobley led Houston with 25 points, and Yao Ming had 10 points and nine rebounds — shooting just 4-for-15 after getting 29 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks in a loss to Phoenix on Monday night.

Golden State has won three in a row following its season-long nine-game losing streak, and won this one before a sellout crowd of 19,596.

Pietrus drew a tough defensive assignment for the third time this week, and held Steve Francis in check until he made two 3-pointers and a lay-in during the final 30 seconds to finish with 19 points and eight rebounds. Francis shot 6-for-16, and was 1-of-11 last time against Golden State. Pietrus had a career-best three 3-pointers, hitting a decisive 3 with 5:45 left.

The Rockets, seventh in the Western Conference, have dropped their last two games after winning five straight. Houston beat Golden State in two earlier meetings this season and the teams play once more next month.

Yao, the Rockets' 7-foot-6 center, started the game 1-for-5 and sat for much of the first half. Erick Dampier, who's 6-11, and 6-10 Adonal Foyle both spent time defending Yao and effectively kept him out of the paint for most of the first half.

The Rockets ended the third quarter with a 13-4 run, including seven points by Mobley, to take a 54-53 lead heading into the final period. But they couldn't hold it.

Charles Oakley got in the game for the final 1:59 a day after the 40-year-old power forward signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound Oakley just wants to contribute down the stretch.

"I'm trying to fit in and help us get to the playoffs," he said. "This late in the season, I'm trying to play consistently."

Golden State clinched a winning record at home for the second straight season — the first time the Warriors have had back-to-back winning home seasons since 1990-91 and 1991-92.

The Warriors have won three straight only two other times this season — most recently from Jan. 24-30 when they beat Portland, Minnesota and Chicago.

Both teams came out cold on offense, with the Warriors shooting 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) in the first quarter to 8-for-23 (34.8) by the Rockets. Golden State led 41-37 at halftime.

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