Rockets beat Bulls 98-66; Yao Ming scores 12
(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-11-04 14:06

Steve Francis scored 19 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 98-66 rout of the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming(R) shoots the ball over Chicago Bulls center Eddy Curry,November 3, 2003. Rockets annihilate Bulls 98-66.

Cuttino Mobley added 14 points and Yao Ming had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, who forced the Bulls into 19 turnovers and held them to just 27 percent shooting.

Jamal Crawford led the Bulls with 19 points, and Tyson Chandler had 14 points and 17 rebounds. It was the third blowout loss already this season for Chicago. The Bulls lost to Washington at home by 25 in their opener and got beat at Milwaukee by 30 on Saturday.

Chicago (1-3) was never in this game as the Rockets got off to a quick start, taking a 16-5 lead on Jim Jackson's jumper, which ignited the first set of boos from the United Center crowd.

The Bulls had a number of defensive lapses in the first half. Houston extended its lead to 55-35 at the half when Tyson Chandler bit on a Scott Padgett's pump-fake and drove to the basket for an easy dunk.

Jalen Rose missed a short jumper with 4:30 left, which triggered a loud chorus of boos. Rose was 2-of-9 with five points.

Bostjan Nachbar hit back-to-back 3-pointers for Houston. He closed out the third quarter with a 3 and started the fourth with another to give Houston a 80-48 lead, tying for its largest lead.

Nachbar was 4-for-4 from 3-point range and finished with 12 points.

Francis scored 13 points in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting. Mobley had 12 and Yao had 10. The Bulls shot just 24 percent in the first half.