McGrady nets 44, Rockets outgun Jazz 99-85
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-29 12:44

Tracy McGrady scored 44 points, and Mike James had 14 of his 16 in the second half to lead the Houston Rockets past the Utah Jazz 99-85 Monday night.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming questions him being called for a foul against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter Monday, March 28, 2005. [AP]

Utah tried everything from switching defenders to changing defenses and nothing worked to stop McGrady. He continued to hit shot after shot and by the time he started missing in the fourth quarter, Houston was already comfortably ahead with a 12-point lead. McGrady made 14 of his first 17 shots and finished 15-for-21.

Houston, which lost at San Antonio 83-70 the night before, improved to 2-1 on a four-game road trip and won for just the second time in the last 17 meetings at Utah.

Mehmet Okur scored 25, Matt Harpring had 18 points and nine rebounds and Keith McLeod finished with nine assists for Utah.

Yao Ming finished with 15 points and David Wesley scored 11 for Houston.

McGrady remained in until the end of the game, but couldn't reach his season-high of 48 points. He didn't need to.

Houston is 19-2 when McGrady scores 30 or more. He had that by halftime after scoring the last 11 points of first half. Houston led by 15 in the early quarter before having to hold off a couple of surges by the Jazz.

Utah got back into the game with an 8-0 run early in the third, capped by Okur's steal and short jumper that brought the Jazz within 66-58. McGrady hit a 19-footer, then Utah scored the next eight points again, including an odd sequence with 3:24 left.

Kirk Snyder, who scored 12 points, ended up with a loose ball that three other players couldn't hang on to. Instead of kicking it back out, Snyder dribbled around and spun his way through the defense for a layup while being fouled.

Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy was livid Snyder was awarded the basket and got a technical, which led to a free throw by Okur.

Snyder hit his free throw to complete the three-point play that cut Houston's margin to 68-66. That was as close as Utah would get.

Dikembe Mutombo and James each hit a free throw to start an 8-2 run that put Houston up 76-68 at the end of the third quarter.

A well-known Jazz fan with season tickets behind the east basket, where he heckles opponents with a rubber chicken and other items as they shoot free throws, was ejected late in the third quarter. He received a standing ovation and several high-fives on his way up the stairs. ... Utah coach Jerry Sloan turned 63 Monday. ... Houston's road trip wraps up Wednesday in Portland.

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