Elie Boosts Rockets Over Pacers

NBA

The Houston Rockets continued their November mastery of the NBA Thursday night, defeating Indiana 115-108 as Mario Elie led eight double-figure scorers.

Houston capitalized on eight Indiana turnovers in the fourth quarter in posting its seventh consecutive victory to reach 10-1 this month. Houston is 34-4 in the last three Novembers.

Houston went more than 5 minutes in the final quarter without a field goal, but kept pace by holding Indiana to just one field goal in the final 4:33.

Houston trailed 103-98 with 4:36 to play, but tied it after a three-point play by Elie and went ahead to stay at 105-103 on a hook by Hakeem Olajuwon.

A 14-foot jumper by Elie and a 3-pointer by Sam Cassell put Houston ahead 110-103 with 1:28 to play and the Pacers got no closer than four points again.Kenny Smith had 17 points for the Rockets and Olajuwon, plagued by foul trouble, had 15 points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes.

Rockets 115, Pacers 108

HOUSTON (115)

Horry 4-11 3-3 14, Brown 7-12 0-0 14, Olajuwon 6-13 3-5 15, Drexler 4-13 1-4 11, K.Smith 6-10 2-2 17, Elie 8-11 1-1 18, Cassell 4-8 5-7 15, Bryant 3-5 5-5 11, Chilcutt 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 42-83 20-27 115.

INDIANA (108)

McKey 6-14 7-9 19, D.Davis 5-9 9-12 19, A.Davis 4-11 5-6 13, Miller 8-9 6-9 24, Jackson 2-7 0-0 4, Workman 2-5 0-0 4, Caldwell 1-2 0-0 2, Johnson 5-9 2-2 13, Pierce 4-11 0-0 8, Best 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 38-78 29-38 108.

Houston 31 24 36 24 - 115

Indiana 30 29 32 17 - 108

3-Point goals-Houston 11-21 (K.Smith 3-4, Horry 3-7, Cassell 2-2, Drexler 2-5, Elie 1-3), Indiana 3-9 (Miller 2-3, Johnson 1-3, McKey 0-1, Pierce 0-1, Jackson 0-1). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Houston 47 (Horry 8), Indiana 50 (D.Davis 10). Assists-Houston 27 (Drexler 9), Indiana 30 (Jackson 11). Total fouls-Houston 22, Indiana 23. Technicals-Olajuwon, Elie, Houston coach Tomjanovich, Cassell. A-16,736 (16,530).