NBA Playoffs : Olajuwon Leads Rockets to a Key Win at Seattle

Akeem Olajuwon and Houston’s defense were too much for the Seattle SuperSonics to handle Thursday night as the Rockets breezed to a 102-84 victory.

The 7-foot Olajuwon scored 22 of his 33 points in leading Houston to a 23-point halftime lead. The victory cut the SuperSonics’ lead in the best-of-seven NBA Western Conference second-round series to 2-1.

Olajuwon hit 14 of 20 shots, made 5 of 6 free throws, pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and blocked 4 shots.

“The key to this game was that we denied them the passing lanes and we didn’t turn it over under heavy pressure,” Olajuwon said.

“Saturday’s game could be the toughest game of the season for us,” Houston Coach Bill Fitch said about Game 4 of the series. “Psychologically, I hope this win will give us the confidence we need, but I don’t want our players to get cocky about it.”

The SuperSonics scored only 13 points in the second quarter as Houston built a 56-33 halftime lead, and Seattle couldn’t challenge thereafter.

Beaten by a combined seven points in the first two games at Houston, the Rockets exhibited a brilliant defense in limiting the SuperSonics to the lowest halftime total in the team’s playoff history. The previous low was 34 points.

“I thought we got off to a miserable start on defense but it came on in the last half of the first quarter, and I was pleased with it for the remainder of the game,” Fitch said.

Dale Ellis, who averaged 32 points in the first two playoff games against Houston, was limited to 12 points Thursday night. Ellis sank only 5 of 19 shots, including 1 of 5 from three-point range.

Tom Chambers led the SuperSonics with 24 points, with 10-of-22 shooting.

“I think this loss is going to bring us back to earth,” SuperSonic Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. “I don’t like to lose any of them, but getting blown out is easier to take than losing by two points.”

Ralph Sampson had 18 points--including 13 in the first half--for Houston, which led, 75-57, after three quarters.