Ariza hits 6 3s; Rockets rout Bucks
MILWAUKEE: The Houston Rockets have dealt with constant trade rumors about Tracy McGrady's next stop. The swirling chatter is new for the Milwaukee Bucks, and they didn't handle it well on the eve of the trading deadline.
Trevor Ariza hit a career-high six 3-pointers, scoring 22 points, and the Rockets hit 16 shots from beyond the arc to rout the Bucks 127-99 on Wednesday night.
"It will be nice when the deadline passes and we can settle in for the stretch run," said Rockets forward Shane Battier, who was 6 of 6 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. "If they make a move, OK, these are our guys moving forward. There's something comforting about that."
Houston snapped a three-game losing streak, scoring a season-high 127 points and shooting a season-high 57.5 percent from the field. The Rockets were one off the franchise record for 3-pointers, set in 1999 against Toronto and tied in 2001 against Milwaukee. Houston went 16 of 23 from beyond the arc.
"Once you hit one or two, the basket gets real big," Ariza said. "Anything you put up you feel like you're going to make. That's what I felt like at least."
Just before halftime, several reports said the Bucks had traded for John Salmons from the Chicago Bulls, a shooting guard who would be due a little more than $5.8 million next season as part of a player option.
Officials with the Bucks would not confirm a deal had been reached, and a team spokesman said no trade would be announced on Wednesday night.
"Nothing I can comment on right now," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said.
The Bucks returned to the court in the second half and shot just 33 percent. Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, said all the talk had been a distraction.
"It's no secret, we know which guys are rumored in trades," Bogut said. "You don't want (it) to distract the team but human nature says you've got guys that probably aren't going to be here tomorrow or the day after."
Rookie Brandon Jennings scored 13 points to lead the Bucks, but scored Milwaukee's first nine points before going to the lockerroom with an uncontrollable cough. He returned a few minutes later without the same shooting touch.
Houston outscored Milwaukee 43-14 in the third quarter, turning a 57-52 halftime advantage into a 100-66 blowout. Aaron Brooks scored 15 points and had 12 assists and Carl Landry chipped in 19 points for the Rockets.
Battier got Houston's second-half 3-party started and Houston hit 7 of 8 from behind the arc at one point, using spurts of 14-2 and 18-0 in the quarter.
AP
(China Daily 02/19/2010 page11)
