HoopsVibe

(Sports Network) - Yao Ming hit a tough turnaround jumper with 23.4 seconds left in the third overtime and finished with a career-high 41 points, leading the Houston Rockets to a thrilling 123-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday at the Toyota Center.

Yao also added 16 rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who rebounded from a 97-88 loss at Dallas on Saturday. Cuttino Mobley contributed 28 points in a staggering 59 minutes of action in this contest. Mobley played 45 minutes against Dallas and was on the court for a remarkable 104 minutes in the last two days.

The Rockets trailed by one after a free throw by Bob Sura with 37.9 seconds left in the third overtime, but Yao was able to hit the difficult turnaround jumper through a double team to put the Rockets ahead for good.

Atlanta then missed a contested shot down low and Mobley was eventually fouled to earn two shots from the line. He hit just 1-of-2 to extend the Rockets' lead to two. Sura was then unable to convert despite some contact on a driving layup in the waning seconds, allowing Houston to emerge victorious.

The Rockets allowed 100 or more points for the first time in 29 games. Yao's previous career high was 37 points on January 25 against Orlando.

Houston is off until Tuesday when its hosts Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.