McGrady, Yao on fire as Rockets eclipse Suns
Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets celebrates after the Rockets won 120 to 117 against the Phoenix Suns at the Toyota Center on Monday in Houston, Texas. AFP |
The victory snapped a six-game losing streak against the Suns and gave the Rockets home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, which start on Saturday.
"This was a great accomplishment because we know how important the game was," McGrady told reporters after collecting 11 rebounds and nine assists to add to his 39 points.
"If we win, we knew we're getting home court. Knowing that, and going against a team like Phoenix, and to come out victorious, it was definitely a great feeling," he said.
Yao, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, said the game had a playoff feeling.
"It was huge," he told reporters. "We were so excited when we saw the clock running to zero. Everybody was running to the middle. I don't know if it's the same feeling, but it feels like winning a playoff series. I know there's harder and better battles waiting for us, but today is a big win."
The victory did not come without anxious moments, however.
The Rockets led by 10 points with 2:13 remaining but did not score another field goal.
Phoenix, meanwhile, scored seven straight points and twice had a chance to tie the score but Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire missed three-pointers in the closing eight seconds.
Shawn Marion's layup brought the Suns within one at 118-117 with one second remaining.
Rafer Alston then closed out the scoring with two free throws for Houston.
Stoudemire led the Suns with 30 points. Marion added 27 and Nash had 15 points and 15 assists.
Despite the loss the Suns will have the Western Conference's No. 2 seed in the playoff. The Rockets will be the fourth seed.
Elsewhere, Vince Carter had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to help the playoff-bound New Jersey Nets record a 104-95 road win over the New York Knicks.
Pau Gasol's 25 points helped the Memphis Grizzles to a surprise 101-91 home win over the San Antonio Spurs, who rested starters Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilo.
Allen Iverson scored 25 points as the Denver Nuggets cruised to their ninth victory in 10 games, a 122-107 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Agencies
(China Daily 04/18/2007 page24)
