Lowry and Hayes continue Rockets roll with a triple-double scoop of (over?) achievement

Hayes followed Lowry's triple double with one of his own, and he did not just barely slip over the line. Hayes had 13 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists.

Overachieving? That's triple doubles in consecutive games, something the Rockets had never done. Not Yao and McGrady. Not Hakeem and Clyde. Not Moses and Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy or Elvin Hayes.

Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Steve Nash have combined for two fewer triple doubles this season than Hayes and Lowry.

Lowry did not like the label, or the connotation that comes with it. It could be worse. They could be the Knicks.

"We just do our jobs," he said. "We're professionals. It's not we haven't worked hard to get here. I don't think I've overachieved. I don't think he's overachieved. I think we're true professionals. We do our job pretty well."

Hayes, however, went another way. Perhaps he has been doubted more and longer than Lowry, a first-round pick. Hayes went undrafted, was cut as a rookie and has been replaced more times than he carved up the Warriors' supposed defense with passes on Wednesday.

Overachiever sounded pretty good to him.

"Everybody is taller than us," he said. "Everybody is bigger than us. Our will-power and our commitment is what are going to get us over the top and win these battles.

"Yeah, we definitely have that," Hayes said. "We have a bunch of overachievers. People didn't expect us to do anything. We have a team of role players but somehow we're still winning."

(...)

Hayes had three chances to lock down his triple-double. He missed two free throws then a shot on a drive.

He got it with a jump hook over David Lee and followed it up with a slick drive. Done.

"That was the hardest point of my life," Hayes said. "I felt like I was stuck at nine for like two days, but I'm happy I got the win. The fan support was great. The guys were really cheering me on for this achievement and once it was over, it was like the biggest relief that I've had in a long time.

"I didn't realize I was that close. I was close before, but I didn't think it would happen. Once it did, it was a sense of enjoyment. All the fans stood up (during the free throws), making noise. I started thinking about the missed layup I had in the third quarter. Kyle looked out for me, called a play for me. I was able to finish with a jump hook. Then I ended up making a lucky shot over my head."

It was better the way he got it than from the line. Looks better in the replays.

"I'd rather go to the one and only move I have, get into the lane and shoot a floater," Hayes said.

"Inside, I'm jumping for joy. I am so juiced inside. It's a great achievement. I'm excited. It's something you read about. It's something you see the great stars do. Never in a million years did I think I'd get it."