Maurice Taylor scored a season-high 25 points to lead the Houston Rockets past Golden State 83-65 Monday night, the Warriors' sixth straight loss.

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (11), of China, looks to shoot as Golden State Warriors' Erick Dampier (25) defends during the first quarter Monday, Jan. 5, 2004 in Houston. The Rockets beat the Warriors 83-65. [AP]

The Warriors lost for the eighth time in 10 games, despite holding Rockets' leading scorer Steve Francis without a point until he made a layup with 1:35 to play. Francis finished with a season-low two points and a season-high 12 assists.

Taylor scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter for the Rockets, who led 66-53 after three. Jim Jackson added 18 points and seven assists for Houston, while Yao Ming finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

A season-low 9,956 fans attended the game. The previous low in Houston's new Toyota Center was 10,679 for the Rockets game against Portland on Dec. 9.

Mike Dunleavy led Golden State with 13 points and Nick Van Exel, Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy each added 10 points.

Taylor helped the Rockets overcame a slow start to lead 42-32 at the half. Houston upped its lead to 49-34 early in the third quarter before the Warriors cut it to six midway through the period.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+China to use US$45b to overhaul state banks ( 2004-01-06) +WHO: China still safe after SARS case confirmed ( 2004-01-06) +China to put 10 satellites into orbit in 2004 ( 2004-01-06) +Was it `road rage' or an accident? ( 2004-01-06) +US airports now fingerprint foreigners ( 2004-01-06)		+Rockets slap down Warriors 83-65 ( 2004-01-06) +National table tennis players fall victims to romance ( 2004-01-06) +Orlando Magic waive Bateer ( 2004-01-06) +Beckham's Real deal a boost ( 2004-01-06) +Bryant trial expected to follow NBA season ( 2004-01-06)