Rockets 88, Clippers 71
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26 (AP) -- The Houston Rockets had a difficult time shaking off the banged-up Los Angeles Clippers through three tedious quarters. Then Tracy McGrady took over.
McGrady scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, and the Rockets capitalized on another key injury to the Clippers in a 88-71 victory Monday night.
The Rockets blew the game open with a demoralizing 22-5 run at the start of the fourth, pulling out to an 81-63 lead with 6:56 to play. McGrady, who helped fuel the pivotal rally with 14 points, started it with two free throws and a pair of 17-footers. The seven-time All-Star added a three-point play off an acrobatic reverse layup and capped the run with an 18-footer.
"In the first half, I wasn't really that aggressive and wasn't really looking to score the ball that much,'' McGrady said. "I was just trying to get other guys involved and let the offense flow. But in the third quarter I wanted to assert myself at the offensive end and I gained a little confidence in the outside game. Then in the fourth quarter, I just wanted to put my will into the game and take it over because I saw a lot of gaps in their defense. And I got myself rolling.''
Rafer Alston added 17 points for the Rockets, who have posted back-to-back wins following a six-game losing streak, and have beaten the Clippers four straight times at Staples Center. Yao Ming had 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Clippers, who haven't shot 50 percent or better an any of their first 13 games, finished at 32.9 percent and have dropped seven of nine contests after a 4-0 start. Chris Kaman led them with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The Clippers lost point guard Sam Cassell with 8:18 left in the first quarter after he strained his left calf defending Alston away from the ball in front of the Houston bench. Cassell, who is doubtful for Friday night's game at Denver, is one of only five Clippers to play in every game this season along with Kaman, Tim Thomas, Ruben Patterson and Quinton Ross.
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source : NBA.com
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26 (AP) -- The Houston Rockets had a difficult time shaking off the banged-up Los Angeles Clippers through three tedious quarters. Then Tracy McGrady took over.
McGrady scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, and the Rockets capitalized on another key injury to the Clippers in a 88-71 victory Monday night.
The Rockets blew the game open with a demoralizing 22-5 run at the start of the fourth, pulling out to an 81-63 lead with 6:56 to play. McGrady, who helped fuel the pivotal rally with 14 points, started it with two free throws and a pair of 17-footers. The seven-time All-Star added a three-point play off an acrobatic reverse layup and capped the run with an 18-footer.
"In the first half, I wasn't really that aggressive and wasn't really looking to score the ball that much,'' McGrady said. "I was just trying to get other guys involved and let the offense flow. But in the third quarter I wanted to assert myself at the offensive end and I gained a little confidence in the outside game. Then in the fourth quarter, I just wanted to put my will into the game and take it over because I saw a lot of gaps in their defense. And I got myself rolling.''
Rafer Alston added 17 points for the Rockets, who have posted back-to-back wins following a six-game losing streak, and have beaten the Clippers four straight times at Staples Center. Yao Ming had 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Clippers, who haven't shot 50 percent or better an any of their first 13 games, finished at 32.9 percent and have dropped seven of nine contests after a 4-0 start. Chris Kaman led them with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The Clippers lost point guard Sam Cassell with 8:18 left in the first quarter after he strained his left calf defending Alston away from the ball in front of the Houston bench. Cassell, who is doubtful for Friday night's game at Denver, is one of only five Clippers to play in every game this season along with Kaman, Tim Thomas, Ruben Patterson and Quinton Ross.
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source : NBA.com
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