Yao, McGrady combine for 49; Rockets down Nets 96-89

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

Tracy McGrady led the Houston Rockets to a 96-89 win over the New Jersey Nets with 24 points and six assists.

Not even New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd, after a one-game absence, could help his team Friday. The Houston Rockets led from the opening tip and never relinquished their lead as they defeated the Nets 96-89 at East Rutherford, NJ.The game wasn’t as close as the score indicated; the Nets didn’t help their cause either by missing eight of their first 10 shots, while Houston’s Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the first period as the Rockets built a 28-18 lead. He added 6 more in the second quarter as the Rockets built their lead to 48-33 at halftime. New Jersey would come back out in the 3rd period and scored the first 8 points, cutting Houston’s advantage to 48-41 on forward Richard Jefferson’s 3-pointer.

The Rockets’ Rafer Alston would respond with 3-pointers to open and cap a 13-4 run that would extend Houston’s lead to 61-45; the Rockets would go into the fourth quarter leading 72-60. They would retain their double-digit lead until the final margin of victory. Houston’s high scorer was Yao Ming with a decent effort tonight; he scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. McGrady added 24 along with 6 assists, while Alston would chip in with 15.

New Jersey was led by Vince Carter with 32 points, while Jefferson added 29. Kidd, returning from a one-game absence, had a subpar game; he contributed only 10 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Houston (11-9) flies to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors Sunday afternoon, while New Jersey (9-11) travels to Landover. MD to challenge the Washington Wizards, also on Sunday.

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