Tracy McGrady scooped
up a loose ball and hit a running 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left,
helping the Houston Rockets complete a rally from a 10-point deficit in
the final minute for an 81-80 win over San Antonio on Thursday night.
McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds, including four
difficult 3s, to finish with 33 points, eight rebounds and five steals in
the biggest last-minute comeback for Houston.
The Rockets have won three straight for the first time this season, and
snapped an eight-game losing streak against their 1-10 rivals. The Spurs
lost their second straight, a night after a tough defeat against Seattle
in San Antonio.
This defeat, however, may be much harder for the Spurs to swallow.
With just over a minute left in what seemed to be another ugly home
loss, the Rockets were being roundly booed following Bob Sura's
airball on a 3-point attempt
with Houston trailing 74-64.
Then, Yao Ming followed McGrady's miss on a layup, Scott Padgett
stole an inbounds pass and went in for a dunk and the Rockets were finally
within striking distance. McGrady completed a four-point play with 24.3
seconds left to pull Houston within 78-75.
Tim Duncan hit two free throws to give San Antonio an 80-75 lead, but
McGrady quickly responded with a leaping, 3-pointer over Bruce Bowen with
11.2 seconds to go.
San Antonio called a timeout, but Devin Brown fumbled away the ball
under the basket on the next possession and McGrady stole it away on his
way to the game-winning 27-footer.
McGrady was mobbed by teammates near midcourt, while red-and-white
confetti poured from the roof.
The Spurs watched the celebration then walked off the court in stunned
silence.
Yao had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who had no one else
score more than five points.
Duncan finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds and Brown had 12 of his
20 points in the fourth quarter, but the Spurs fell apart down the stretch
in what was a huge collapse by one
of the NBA's best teams.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-10 14:54
