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Without McGrady, Yao leads Rockets over Warriors
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-25 14:31
HOUSTON - Yao Ming knows that when Tracy McGrady is out, even more is
expected of him.
Houston Rockets
center Yao Ming (11) goes above Golden State Warriors defenders Monta
Ellis (8) and Troy Murphy (1) for two points in the first half in NBA
basketball action Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, in Houston.
[AP] | Lucky for the Houston Rockets, he was up to
the challenge on Friday night.
Yao scored 22 points and had a season-high 21 rebounds and the Rockets beat
the Golden State Warriors 91-88 for their first win this season without McGrady.
Juwan Howard also added 22 points for Houston.
McGrady was not with the team because of a death in the family, but Houston
still won its season-high fourth straight at home. The Rockets had been 0-13
when their leading scorer didn't play.
"When Tracy is out of the game, it's really hard for us to get open shots,"
Yao said. "That puts more pressure on me and I had to play much harder."
Jason Richardson, who had a season-high 39 points, had a chance to put the
Warriors on top with 2 seconds left. But Yao put heavy pressure on his 3-point
attempt, and it bounced off the glass. David Wesley was fouled and made one of
two free throws to secure the win.
The Rockets led by as many as 15, but squandered that lead and had to
overcome a six-point fourth-quarter deficit for the win. It was their ninth win
in 11 outings.
"I don't think our execution was very good," Wesley said. "Our shot selection
wasn't very good and, obviously, we were not defending."
Keith Bogans, acquired from Charlotte on Feb. 9, got his first start with
Houston in McGrady's place and scored 13 points.
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was pleased with Bogans' effort, but said he was
not in the condition to play 41 minutes Friday.
"He played a great game," Van Gundy said. "I do love Keith's competitive
nature. We sorely missed those kind of personalities. We need guys who have an
edge to them."
Another thing the Rockets need is tough defense, something that Van Gundy
believes Yao brings to the team.
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