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Rockets Knock Off Red-Hot Nuggets

Authored by Jason Linnard - April 17, 2005 - 12:01 am

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Tracy McGrady and Mike James made the Nuggets feel Rocky Mountain Low.

McGrady and James combined for 55 points as the Rockets routed the Nuggets 115-87. The win put the Rockets 1 game ahead of the Nuggets and also gave them the tie-breaker, should they finish with the same record. Houston can clinch the 6th seed with a win or a Denver loss in the next 2 games.

Denver was led by Kenyon Martin’s 22 points and 9 boards, and Carmelo Anthony’s 16 points. The Nuggets were without starting center Marcus Camby, who sat out with a strained right hamstring.

Most Rockets’ starters did not play many minutes. Bob Sura played just 13 minutes. Yao had a great night for is limited minutes: 13 points, 11 boards, and 5 blocks in just 23 minutes.

Denver started the game with an 18-4 lead, and led by 10 at the end of the first quarter. It would be all downhill from there.

Led by bench players Mike James, Dikembe Mutumbo, and Jon Barry, the Rockets made a furious rally. 2 Mutumbo free throws gave Houston their first lead with 4:34 left in the 2nd quarter. Two consecutive McGrady 3s, one set up by a flashy behind-the-back assist from Jon Barry, extended their lead. Houston lead 56-49 at the half.

The 2nd half wasn’t any more inspiring than the 1st, as Houston wore down the Nuggets and took an 86-70 lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

To add insult to injury, McGrady crossed over Eduardo Najera, causing him to stumble, and pulled up for three. This put the Rockets up by 19. Denver would not get any closer than that in the game.

McGrady opened things up for his teammates, as Houston combined for 15 3 pointers and missed just 9. McGrady went 6-7 on his own.