The Rockets vs.the Hawk

By Mike Gathman

The Houston Rockets defeated theAtlanta Hawks 120-107inthe firstNational BasketballAssociationgame held at theLibertyUniversity Vines Convocation Center in Lynchburg, Va., on October 19,1991

An enthusiastic crowd of 8,475 cheered as NBA superstars Dominique Wilkins and Hakeem Olajuwon, both six-time All-Stars, tuned up their games during the preseason game. The crowd explodedseveraltimeswhenWilkins slammed the ball home on breakaways

Houston defeated Atlanta fairly easily, winningby 13 points. After 8:05 in the firstquarter, the Rockets never relinquished the lead. The foughtbackto tie the gamebut never took the lead

Wilkinsledthe home team Hawks with20points. When asked whathe lookedto gainfromapreseasongame, Wilkins said, "It's early, and I amjust working on the little things in the game."

The Houston team, who led for most ofthegame,was led by guard Vernon Maxwell, who scored 23 points. None oftheHawks seemed surprised to see Maxwell score big. Wilkins said, "If you watchhim a lot, he will do that manytimes."

Rookie guard from theUniversity ofNevada-LasVegas,StaceyAugmon started the game and scored seven pointsin 28minutesfor theHawks.

Neither team worked any players formore than 25 minutes because it was still early in the preseason.

Olajuwon scored only nine points in 20 minutes of action for the

Bounds Inthe Game

beingdown by 16points, theHawks Rockets. He also grabbedeigl wasin the third quarterwhen,after ton played in the game and aI scored. Three startersscored 14 t more points, playing inless than minutes atthe most. ForwardOt Thorpe scored 19 pointsandguai Eric"Sleepy"Floyd scored 14poin along with Maxwell's23 points.

Atlanta guard Rumeal Robinsi was the second leading scorer wil 16 points in the game. Backup guai forthelosingHawks.

Houston'sbackup forward, La Smith, led the Rockets with 13 bounds inonly 22minutes.Atla forward, KevinWillis, led the Hav

Houston turned the ballover times compared to 14 turnovers I Atlanta. However,itwasthe Rock s/turno points.