Hakeem Is Back! Rockets Win!

Charles Barkley welcomed Hakeem Olajuwon back the best way he knew how. And so did Houston Rockets fans.

Barkley had 25 points and 15 rebounds as the Rockets celebrated the return of Olajuwon from the injury list with a 110-97 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

"I had a very good feeling just to be back on the court," said Olajuwon, who missed 33 games after undergoing knee surgery on Nov. 24.

Olajuwon had 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and six rebounds in 19 minutes. He entered the game with 5:05 to play in the first quarter and received a 60-second standing ovation, getting first rebound moments later and his first basket with two minutes remaining in the quarter.

"It obviously gives us a physical lift but he also gives us just as much of a mental lift," Barkley said. "He's like anybody else. He's not in the best game condition. That's going to take time, probably three weeks to a month but he's going to be a big help."

The Rockets led 57-50 at halftime before Barkley scored 15 points in the third, keying a 15-6 run to start the period that helped the Rockets take an 84-71 lead into the fourth quarter.

"It's just his presence that makes a difference," Clyde Drexler said. "People don't go through the lane with reckless abandon anymore. Even though he doesn't block it he intimidates them. I'm really glad to see him back. We've been needing him."

Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 30 points to lead the Grizzlies, who lost their fifth straight and dropped to 0-6 in the Compaq Center.

"This is basketball and we tried to come out focused but his (Olajuwon's) presence was a big factor," Grizzlies' guard Sam Mack said. "He still has the moves and the shake and the fadeaway. Dream is a great player."

Vancouver scored the game's first eight points as the Rockets missed their first five shots. But Houston's Matt Maloney went 4-for-4 on 3-pointers in the period and the Rockets took a 35-26 lead after one.

Kevin Willis and Drexler had 20 points apiece and Maloney added 16 points for Houston.

Notes: Vancouver is 3-20 on the road this season...The Rockets have used 11 different lineups this season, one less than their total for last season...Rookie Rodrick Rhodes is the only Rockets player to start at three positions this season, (shooting guard, point guard and small forward)...Houston's Emanuel Davis was placed on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left knee...In three seasons, the Grizzlies are 3-15 against Texas teams...Abdur-Rahim has scored in double figures in 91 of his last 93 games.

Written by Michael A. Lutz AP Sports Writer
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