Tracy McGrady had 35 points and Yao Ming added 16
of his 22 points in the second half, leading the Houston Rockets to a
dramatic 97-95 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night.
The Rockets improved to 16-2 when McGrady scores at least 30 points but
they might not have been in position to win without a disastrous third
period by the Sonics, who lost their second straight after going 6-1 after
the All-Star break.
Houston outscored the Sonics 22-6 in the third period - with those six
points setting franchise records for both teams. It was the fewest points
the Rockets had ever allowed in a quarter, as well as Seattle's lowest
quarter.
Ray Allen scored 32 points for Seattle, while Rashard Lewis added 26
points. Luke Ridnour had 14 points and a season-high 12 assists, one off
the career high he set last season as a rookie.
Despite their trouble in the third quarter, the Sonics were in position
to win in the final minutes.
It was tied at 88 after Lewis' 3-pointer with 59.8 seconds to go,
made possible by an amazing save by Allen after a missed 3-point try and
rebound. But McGrady made a 3-pointer with 54.8 seconds to go, putting
Houston up 91-88. Ridnour got Seattle within 91-90 with two free throws
with 35.8 seconds to play.
Yao made it 93-90, banking in a 4-footer after using an arm-bump that
sent Jerome James to the floor but didn't draw a whistle. Ridnour got free
for a layup to got the Sonics
back to 93-92 with 16.8 seconds to go.
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy took a timeout, and then Barry inbounded
straight to McGrady, who drew a foul on Lewis and made a layup. But he
missed the free throw, giving the Sonics a chance to draw even.
Lewis missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it, and Mike James made
two free throws at the other end. The Rockets needed the cushion, because
Allen added a 3-pointer at the horn.
It was an abysmal third
period for Seattle, shooting 3-of-14 from the floor. The Sonics committed seven turnovers in the period, and it
didn't take long for Houston to take advantage.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-09 15:01
