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McGrady, Yao lead Rockets past Sonics 104-98
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-16 14:59
The lead was short-lived. McGrady scored three points and then Moochie Norris made a three-point play and followed with another layup — both times beating Ronald Murray — to put the Rockets up 83-76 with 8:08 left.
Garnett dominates Duncan; Spurs win anyway
MINNEAPOLIS - Michael Finley scored 21 points, including the last six for San Antonio, to help the Spurs hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves 90-88 on Thursday night.
Kevin Garnett got the best of Tim Duncan with 24 points and a season-high 21 rebounds, but the Timberwolves dropped their third straight game when Troy Hudson's off-balance, running jumper in traffic at the buzzer fell short.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (R) during the second half of their NBA game in the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 15, 2005. [Reuters] |
Garnett, who was wide open at the top of the key, had a glum look on his face when Finley — whom Minnesota actively pursued on the free-agent market this summer — approached him and put his arms on his shoulders in consolation.
Duncan had 13 points and nine rebounds, missing four of his seven free-throw attempts. He was 5-for-20 from the foul line in his previous two games.
Garnett made a pair of free throws to bring the Wolves to 80-76 with 4:44 remaining, the closest they got since the second quarter. Hudson did the same to make it 84-80, but Brent Barry found Finley open on a baseline cut — and the 11-year veteran swished a jumper to put San Antonio back up by six.
After Marko Jaric's layup, Finley sank a 3-pointer to increase the lead to seven.
Minnesota didn't quit, cutting the lead to 89-87 on a layup by Wally Szczerbiak — who had 23 points — with 1:09 to play. Tony Parker was called for a charging foul against Hudson, giving the Wolves a great chance to tie it.
Jaric missed a layup, Anthony Carter missed a long jumper and Garnett missed a turnaround. Jaric grabbed another rebound and was fouled with 5.8 seconds remaining, but he made only one of two foul shots.
Finley then went 1-for-2 at the line on the other end after drawing a foul, setting up the final possession. The Spurs, who improved to 18-4, are 16-0 when they shoot 45 percent or better from the field.
Hudson, back from a four-game absence due to knee and calf injuries, sparked the Timberwolves late in the third period after substituting for Michael Olowokandi with less than 5 minutes left.
Hudson had two assists and six points in that stretch before the buzzer, bringing Minnesota to 63-58.
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