Tracy McGrady had 27 points and seven assists, and
the Houston Rockets beat slumping
Los Angeles 114-100 Thursday night with former Lakers coach
Phil Jackson in attendance.
The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak and handed Los Angeles
its fifth straight loss, and 13th in 14 games. The Lakers (33-42) are
assured of their first losing record since they went 33-49 in the 1993-94
season. This year and that season are the only times they've failed to
qualify for the playoffs since 1976.
Jackson watched the game from owner Jerry Buss' luxury suite. Jackson
hadn't seen the Lakers play in person since last June, when he coached
them in the NBA Finals. Shortly thereafter, the decision was made that he
wouldn't return this season.
It's been speculated since Rudy Tomjanovich resigned as coach on Feb. 2
that Jackson would come back to the team he guided to championships in his
first three seasons. But Jackson's agent has said his client wouldn't
discuss a coaching job until after the season.
"It's just a social visit," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "Dr. Buss
had invited him several months ago to come to a game and sit in his suite
with him. Phil's been traveling a lot; this was the first opportunity that
Phil was in town when we had a home game."
Yao Ming scored 21 points, Scott Padgett had 16, Mike James and David
Wesley added 13 each and Bobby Sura scored 11 for the Rockets (45-31).
Caron Butler had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Kobe Bryant had his fifth
triple-double of the season with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists,
and Chucky Atkins added 15 points for the Lakers.
Bryant, returning to action after sitting out one game because of a
bruised right shin, shot just 4-of-19.
The defensively challenged Lakers are 7-36 when they've allowed 100 or
more points.
McGrady's 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring gave the Rockets a
104-92 lead with 4:45 remaining, and Yao outscored the Lakers 6-1 by
himself to make it 110-96.
The Rockets outscored Los Angeles 10-2 to finish the third quarter for
an 88-76 lead. Atkins had scored seven straight points as the Lakers drew
within four.
The Rockets went on a 16-4 run for a 40-28 lead early in the second
period, and were on top the rest of the way. Two free throws by McGrady
and two baskets by Padgett made it 55-40 before Butler's seven points
sparked an 11-5 Los Angeles run, cutting Houston's lead to 60-51 at
halftime.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-08 14:08
