Yao Scores 41 in a Marathon

Yao Ming made the Atlanta Hawks pay for their physical play.

Yao scored a career-high 41 points, including eight in the last of three overtimes, to help the Houston Rockets beat the Hawks, 123-121, on Sunday night in the NBA’s longest game since 2000-01.

Atlanta centers Joel Przybilla and Zeljko Rebraca both fouled out trying to stop the 7-foot-5 Chinese center.

“They were using a lot of strategy against me that I didn’t really like,” said Yao, whose short jumper with 23 seconds left put the Rockets ahead for good, 122-121.

“They were doing a lot of hitting. I didn’t like the way they were playing me.”

Though he played 50 minutes, Yao didn’t look tired in the third overtime as he scored six points in the first two minutes.

“I still thought I was very tired,” he said. “I was tired to the point I felt numb. But I just had to keep going.”

Yao was 15 for 21 from the field, 11 for 13 from the line, and had 16 rebounds and seven assists.

Atlanta Coach Terry Stotts was impressed.

“We played zone to contain Yao and he still had 41 points,” Stotts said. “He’s a heck of a presence. That last shot he made was a great example of how good he is. He has a soft touch.”

Przybilla agreed.

“He’s got skills,” Przybilla said. “It’s not all about the height. It’s about what you do with your skill.

“He’s too big to play in front of so I tried to stay behind him. He’s a strong guy. He’s stronger than he was last year. He can get his shot off whenever he wants.”

Cuttino Mobley, who had 28 points, made a free throw after Yao’s go-ahead jumper.

Steve Francis had 16 points, including nine in the overtimes, but fouled out with 37 seconds left in the third extra period.

Atlanta’s Chris Crawford made a three-pointer with 25 seconds left in regulation to force the first overtime.

Francis then forced the second overtime, making a three-pointer with two seconds to play in the first extra period. Jim Jackson forced the third overtime with a three-pointer with five seconds left the second extra period.

Jason Terry led Atlanta with 27 points.

Houston also won the NBA’s last three-overtime game, beating Indiana, 127-118, in 2001.