Rockets get McGrady back and beat Hawks
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-30 14:30

Tracy McGrady is back. Maybe now the Houston Rockets can finally recover from their dismal start.

Atlanta Hawks' Marvin Williams (24) jumps in the air as he defends against Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady (1) during the first quarter Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 in Houston. [AP]

Sidelined since Nov. 18 with a back injury, McGrady returned Tuesday night to score 25 points and the Rockets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 100-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Rockets lost all eight games McGrady missed after he strained his back in practice on Nov. 4.

Houston averaged only 83 points in those games, but matched that Tuesday night on McGrady's best highlight, an acrobatic reverse layup that gave the Rockets an 83-68 lead with 8:33 left.

McGrady's presence created openings all night for the rest of the Rockets, who came in averaging a league-low 85 points.

Yao Ming scored 25, and Juwan Howard and rookie Luther Head each added 12 points for Houston, which reached 100 points for the first time this season.

Joe Johnson scored 17 and Al Harrington and Salim Stoudamire added 14 points apiece for the Hawks.

McGrady finished 7-of-16 from the field. He went 11-of-12 from the free throw line and also had nine rebounds, five assists and eight turnovers.

McGrady made a jumper from the free throw line 18 seconds into the game. He added a jumper from the wing, two free throws and a fadeaway from the baseline as the Rockets built a 13-5 lead.

The Hawks missed nine of their first 11 shots, but then hit four of their next five to close the early gap.

McGrady had 17 points at the half in just over 15 minutes. He started the third quarter and helped the Rockets turn a 52-51 halftime lead to a 64-55 edge before going to the bench for a rest.

The Hawks rallied with McGrady out, tying the game at 65 on Marvin Williams' basket from the wing with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

McGrady returned and the Rockets spurted to a 74-66 lead heading to the fourth. The Rockets opened the fourth with a 9-2 burst, capped by McGrady's acrobatic layup. Posting up Johnson, McGrady made a quick spin to the baseline, then ducked under Zaza Pachulia for the lay-in.

McGrady intercepted a pass in the final minute, then fed Yao for a layup with 40 seconds left. Head replaced McGrady after the play and the sparse crowd gave McGrady a standing ovation as he walked to the bench.