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Rockets lose 5th straight game

(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-21 13:49

Yao Ming scored 25 and had 17 rebounds for his 27th double-double as Rockets lost its fifth straight game, beaten 99-91 by Clippers on Monday night.

Guard Luther Head scored 20 points, including 2-of-6 3s, and had six assists.

"This is getting real old," Head said of the losing. "There are a lot of things we need to work on both on and off the court. All we can do is break it down, watch some film and hopefully get better."

Sam Cassell scored 24 points to push the franchise to 13 games over .500 for the first time since the 1975-76 season — when it was called the Buffalo Braves.

Corey Maggette added 20 points for the Clippers, who, appropriately, were wearing orange and black Braves uniforms from the franchise's inaugural 1970-71 season for retro night.

"Since Cat (Cuttino Mobley) and I got here, we've been expecting to win," Cassell said. "People were saying, it's still the Clippers. But just the attitude he and I bring has made a difference.

"Elton Brand is progressing and Corey Maggette has done well. Hey, we've got a lot of talent in this locker room."

Mobley, like Cassell, is in his first season with the Clippers.

"We should be at least 19 games over .500 right now," Mobley said. "I've been telling guys we could do this since the beginning of the season. We're going for the 50 (wins) and the playoffs. I can't wait."

Cassell though knows the Clippers reputation won't change overnight.

"It's going to take more than one year," Cassell said. "But we've got a heck of a start. No doubt about it, L.A. is a great place, especially when you're winning."

"For me, it's a breath of fresh air when we make a couple of shots from the outside," Yao said. "That takes a lot of pressure off me and my game. Before we make some shots, everything has to go inside and it's just too crowded. When our guards make some outside shots, we're able to move some stuff around better."