Houston There Is No Problem Streak Hits 21 Stop Bobcats 89-80

Tracy McGrady scored a game high 30 points, and the Houston Rockets rallied from a first half deficit Friday night to defeat the Charlotte Bobcats 89-80. The win the Houston’s 21st in a row now gives them sole ownership of the second longest winning streak in the history of the Association. The victory broke their tie with the 1970-1971 Milwaukee Bucks who had won 20 games in a row, they now only trail the 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers who won an astounding 33 straight games.

Charlotte?came out as the aggressor in the first half, they took a 23-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bobcats remained in charge during the second quarter as they went into the half with a 43-36 lead over the Rockets. Houston though shook off the cobwebs in the third quarter as they tied the game at 45-45 as Luis Scola hit a layup, and then the penalty shot at the line with ?8:41 in the period. The Rockets took their first lead of the quarter as Shane Battier hit a trey with?7:05 left to put them ahead 50-47. Houston never trailed again in the quarter, as they were up by 5 points, until Gerald Wallace hit a 26 foot trey at the buzzer to end the quarter 64-62. The Rockets got the lead up to 10 points at 72-62 on a Mike Harris layup, with 9:23?left in the game. Although Charlotte would come within six points, they never got any closer as the Toyota Center exploded in jubilation at the end of the game.

McGrady scored 30 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 rebound, in the Houston victory. Rafer Alston had another great game as he scored 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Luis Scola scored 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Shane Battier scored 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, Mike Harris came off the bench and scored 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal. The Ancient Warrior Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo again was a defensive force in the middle with 7 boards, and 4 blocks.

Jason Richardson led Charlotte as he scored 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Emeka Okafor scored 23 points, 9 boards, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 assist, Gerald Wallace came off the bench, scored 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. Houston is now tied atop the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers at 45-20, the two teams face each other Sunday, Charlotte falls to 24-41. ?