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McGrady, Yao lead Rockets past Sonics 104-98
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-16 14:59
SEATTLE - Tracy McGrady took over down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 34
points in the fourth quarter, and the Houston Rockets won their fifth straight,
104-98 over the Seattle SuperSonics on Thursday night.
Houston
Rockets' Yao Ming looks to another player as he chases
a loose ball during the fourth quarter against the Seattle SuperSonics
in an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, in Seattle.
[AP] | A night after playing nearly 46
minutes in an overtime win at Golden State, McGrady played all but 18 seconds,
as the Rockets improved to 4-0 on their six-game road trip. It was Houston's
first win after going 0-4 in the second game of a back-to-back.
Yao Ming added 26 points and 10 rebounds, and made 12 of 15 free throws. He
made his first four shots and was 7-for-10 from the field.
Ray Allen led Seattle with 30 points, but couldn't match McGrady in the
closing moments, as Seattle lost its fourth straight at home. It's the Sonics'
longest home losing streak since the 2003-04 season.
The Rockets are rolling since the return of McGrady, who missed eight losses
because of back spasms. Houston has lost just once since his return.
Seattle held an 88-84 lead with less than six minutes left. Yao was called
for an offensive foul on Danny Fortson and was given a technical for slamming
the ball. Allen's free throw put Seattle up 88-84.
McGrady then took over as Houston scored nine of the next 11 points. He made
two 3-pointers, a free throw, and assisted on Yao's layup that put Houston ahead
93-90.
Fortson, Yao and Allen all made free throws, leaving the Rockets up 95-94
with 1:47 left. McGrady then drilled a 3-pointer over Vladimir Radmanovic with 1
second on the shot clock with 1:13 left.
Allen scored and Yao made two free throws with 34.7 left, putting Houston up
100-96. Allen then missed a driving layup on Yao, who got the rebound and was
fouled. He made the shots, putting the capper on the victory.
Juwan Howard had 16 points and Stromile Swift added 12, 10 in the first half,
for the Rockets, who won despite being outrebounded 43-32 and gave up 22
second-chance points. A night earlier, Houston outrebounded Golden State 61-32.
Rashard Lewis had 15 points for Seattle. Luke Ridnour added 14 and Reggie
Evans scored 13.
Houston started the fourth quarter by taking its largest lead ¡ª 75-71 ¡ª on a
pair of free throws from Swift. Seattle responded with a jumper by Radmanovic
and a 3-pointer by Allen to take a 76-75 advantage.
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