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Rockets defeat Celtics 91-73; Yao hit in right eye
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-08 08:41
HOUSTON - Tracy McGrady won his matchup with Paul Pierce, and the Houston
Rockets got a much-needed victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
Houston Rockets
center Yao Ming bleeds after being hit in the right eye by the elbow of
Boston Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine in the second half of their NBA
game in Houston December 6, 2005.
[Reuters]
| Houston center Yao Ming had 12
points and nine rebounds, despite being cut over his right eye in a
fourth-quarter collision with Boston forward Brian Scalabrine. Yao briefly went
to the locker room, then came back a few minutes later with a bandage protecting
the injury.
McGrady tied his season high with 35 points in the Rockets'
91-73 victory, only Houston's second win in its last 10 games.
Pierce, averaging 27 points coming into the game, scored 20 for the Celtics,
who have lost three of five. Pierce hit all 13 of his free throws, but went
3-for-10 from the field.
McGrady also had seven rebounds and five assists, showing no signs of the
back injury that sidelined him for eight of Houston's first 14 games. McGrady
also scored 35 in a 99-91 win over New Jersey on Nov. 11.
Pierce and McGrady guarded each other most of the night. McGrady had 16
points in the first half, while Pierce had 11.
The All-Star matchup became a total mismatch in the third quarter.
Pierce shot an airball, then lost the ball to Ryan Bowen in the first two
minutes. After the turnover, McGrady hit a fadeaway jumper over Pierce on the
baseline.
Pierce charged into McGrady with 8:30 left and went to the bench with his
fourth foul. McGrady immediately sank a jumper over Justin Reed, reaching 20
points for the sixth time in eight games.
The Rockets pushed their 10-point halftime lead to 17 as the Celtics missed
seven of their first nine shots after the break.
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