| McGrady rallies Rockets to win |
| DATA： 2008-01-25 |
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| Houston Rockets’Tracy McGrady (R) holds the ball away from Seattle SuperSonics?Kevin Durant during their game in Seattle on Wednesday.SD-Agencies |
Nursing a left knee injury, McGrady put together a second half that showed even with one good leg he’s still one of the best in the game. McGrady scored 18 points after halftime and was responsible for Houston’s final eight points, as the Rockets rallied from a 99-89 deficit with 5 minutes left.
Just moments earlier, McGrady had been stifled by Seattle rookie Kevin Durant. But McGrady quickly showed his veteran savvy, hitting a step-back 3-pointer after faking out Durant to give the Rockets a 104-103 lead with 1:27 left, their first lead since it was 24-22.
Kurt Thomas quickly got the lead back for Seattle, hitting a 15-footer, but McGrady answered by powering to the basket and scoring over Durant to give Houston a 106-105 lead. After Luke Ridnour missed an easy 5-footer, McGrady drove under the basket, drawing three Sonics. That left Rafer Alston open at the top of the key to hit a 3-pointer and give the Rockets a four-point lead.
Durant scored on a drive for Seattle, and McGrady failed a chance to ice the win, missing a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left. The Sonics went to Durant, who called for a clear out and drove to the basket, but was blocked by Chuck Hayes.
The ball went out of bounds and Seattle had a final chance, but Durant was long with a 26-footer at the buzzer.
Yao Ming scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and was 14-of-15 at the free throw line for Houston. Alston added 18 points, including five 3-pointers.
Seattle led 97-84 with 8:09 left and went scoreless for the next 3 minutes, but still led 99-89 with 5 minutes left.
That’s when the Rockets surged back. Carl Landry scored underneath, Alston hit a 3, McGrady scored from the perimeter and Yao made a pair of free throws. Meanwhile, Seattle’s only points were a runner from Luke Ridnour and the second of two free throws by Nick Collison. Shane Battier tossed in a deep 3 and the Sonics’ lead was down to 102-101, setting up the frantic final minutes.(SD-Agencies)