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Yao Ming hits double-double to lead Rockets
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-27 08:29
ORLANDO, Fla. - Yao Ming had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Tracy McGrady
added 19 points, nine boards and five assists to help the Houston Rockets beat
the Orlando Magic 89-84 on Sunday.
Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard, right,
goes up for a shot over Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, during
the first half of their NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb.
26, 2006. [AP] | It was McGrady's second regular
season game in Orlando after the Magic traded him a year and a half ago, and the
superstar was booed each time he touched the ball. He started well, scoring 14
points in the first half, but began missing shots and playing time in the second
half after picking up his fourth foul. McGrady got his fifth foul with 8:05 left
in the fourth quarter but didn't foul out.
As part of the NBA's Hardwood Classics events, the league broadcast the game
for the first time "silently" on NBA TV — with no announcers and enhanced
on-court microphones to fill in sound. Music from the 1970s was played during
timeouts, with help from a pep band and an organist. The Magic wore retro
jerseys from their inaugural 1989-90 season.
Grant Hill, starting just his second game in more than a month, led Orlando
with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Carlos Arroyo added 17 points
and five rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu had 10 points — all in the fourth quarter.
Dwight Howard finished with just seven points and nine rebounds.
Rafer Alston had 13 points and 10 assists and Juwan Howard added 12 points
and five rebounds for Houston.
Leading 44-39 at the half, Houston pulled away in the third quarter with a
16-4 run, led by a hook shot, turnaround jumper and several free throws from
Yao.
The Rockets extended the lead to 20, 74-54, before Orlando used a 22-6 run to
close within four on Arroyo's two free throws with 1:51 left. Yao converted two
free throws before Turkoglu hit a 3-pointer with 1:21 remaining to make it
82-79, but the Magic could get no closer.
Howard made a jumper and McGrady added two free throws to extend the lead
back to seven with 22 seconds left.
It was the Magic's 13th loss in 15 games, and the Rockets' 10th win in the
last 12. Orlando had lost eight in a row before beating Seattle at home Friday
night.
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