HOUSTON (AP) -- 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-6 Chinese center.

"They were using a lot of strategy against me that I didn't

really like," Yao said. "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-of-21 from the field, 11-of-13 from the line, and had

16 rebounds and seven assists.

"I thought we needed every play we could get down the stretch

from a lot of different guys," Van Gundy said. "Yao obviously

came through with a lot of big baskets."

Atlanta coach Terry Stotts was impressed by Yao.

"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. Tonight he was on.

"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."

Steve Francis had 16 points, including nine in the overtimes,

but fouled out with 37 seconds left in the third extra period.

In the third overtime, Yao scored Houston's first six points,

but Stephen Jackson tied it with one of two free throws with 47

seconds remaining, and Bob Sura scored with 37 seconds to go to

give the Hawks a 122-120 lead.

Yao then hit a short jumper with 23 seconds left and Mobley made

one of two free throws with 8 seconds to play.

Yao hit a layup with 32 seconds to play in regulation to put

Houston up 94-91, but Atlanta's Chris Crawford made a 3-pointer

with 25 seconds to play to tie it at 94.

Francis then forced the second overtime, hitting a 3-pointer

with 2 seconds to play in the first extra period.

Jason Terry hit a 3 with 54 seconds left to give the Hawks a

114-111 lead in the second overtime. Jim Jackson countered with a 3

from the corner to tie it with 5 seconds left.

Jim Jackson finished with 17 points. Terry led Atlanta with 27

points, and Stephen Jackson added 24.Game notes
Houston also won the NBA's last three-overtime game,

beating visiting Indiana 127-118 on March 13, 2001. ... Atlanta has

lost five straight in Houston, and 11 of its last 12. ... The

Rockets are 6-6 on first nights and 9-4 on second nights of

back-to-back games ... Houston is 6-0 when Yao has at least four

blocks. ... Terry has at least one steal in 18 straight games.