McGrady helps Rockets shoot past Bucks
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-02 13:53

HOUSTON - Tracy McGrady scored 22 points, Yao Ming added 21 and the Houston Rockets overcame an early 13-point deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 86-84 on Wednesday night.

Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady, left, drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Simmons (21) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, in Houston. The Rockets won 86-84. [AP]

Milwaukee went on a late 11-2 run to pull to 86-84 when T.J Ford hit one of two free throws with 37 seconds to play. But Bobby Simmons missed a 25-footer with 3 seconds left and Houston got the rebound.

Yao, in his second game back after missing 21 games due to surgery on his left big toe, also had 13 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season.

Simmons hit a career-high five 3-pointers and led the Bucks with 26 points, matching his season high.

The Bucks were playing without leading scorer Michael Redd, who missed the game with back spasms. Redd, averaging 25.3 points per game, is day to day.

Houston opened the game by scoring the first six points, but Milwaukee then went on a 19-2 run. The Bucks finished the first quarter leading 27-15 as Jiri Welsch, who replaced Redd in the starting lineup, and Simmons each had seven points.

Led by rookie Chuck Hayes' eight points and seven from Yao, the Rockets went on an 18-2 run to start the second quarter for a 33-29 lead with 6:42 to play in the half.

After scoring only two points in the first quarter, Yao finished the half with 13, including an improbable no-look layup he flipped up under the basket as he fell backward to the floor.

McGrady, the NBA's fifth-leading scorer at 26.9 points per game, was 1-for-6 from the field and had only six points in the first half as Houston took a 49-41 lead.

McGrady warmed up in the third quarter, shooting 4-of-7 and scoring 13 points as Houston led by as many as 13. The Rockets settled for a 77-66 lead after three.