Rockets crush Bulls 119-89
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-02 13:57

Tracy McGrady scored 32 points with seven assists in three quarters and Mike James added 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting to lead the Houston Rockets to a 119-89 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady (1) looks to pass as Chicago Bulls' Kirk Hinrich (12) defends during the second quarter, Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in Chicago. The Rockets won 119-89. [AP]

Houston won for the first time since the All-Star break, snapping a three-game losing streak.

The resurgent Bulls, in playoff contention for the first time since 1998, suffered their worst loss of the season.

Eddy Curry scored 17 points for Chicago and Ben Gordon added 15.

Leading 29-22 late in the first quarter, Houston increased their lead with a 23-6 run in the first half. James, recently acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, scored nine points in the span. He hit a 3 with 3.4 seconds left in the first quarter and then had a steal and a lay-up to start the second quarter.

Jon Barry hit a 3 for Houston to make it 46-28 and Juwan Howard capped it off with a jumper, giving Houston a 52-28 lead with 5:12 in the second quarter.

McGrady scored 19 points in the half for Houston and James added 16 with Yao Ming on the bench. Yao picked up two early fouls and only played six minutes in the first half.

Barry finished the game with 13 points for Houston. He was 3-for-4 from 3-point range. James was 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

Houston opened the second half by outscoring Chicago 9-1. After back-to-back baskets by McGrady made it 75-40, Bulls head coach Scott Skiles subbed in five new players, drawing an ovation from the sold out crowd.

Late in the third quarter, Tyson Chandler lost his cool and drew a technical. He made an obscene gesture in the direction of official Sean Corbin after being called for a foul.

Bulls rookie forward Luol Deng sprained his right ankle in the opening minutes after being fouled by McGrady.

With the Rockets in full control, McGrady sat out the entire fourth quarter.

Barry gave Houston their largest lead of the game with a jumper making it 111-72 with 6:39 left in the game.

Yao finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

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