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Rockets taking off with McGrady and Yao
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-06 09:11
With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming healthy, the Houston Rockets are better than
they have been in months. But even after a tough 93-89 win over the struggling
New York Knicks on Sunday, the Rockets know they still need to improve.
McGrady scored 23 points and David Wesley added 19, including several key
free throws late, as Houston won its third straight game.
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Houston Rocket's
Yao Ming battles for the ball against New York Knick's Eddy Curry, center
and Channing Frye during the second quarter of their NBA basketball game,
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 at Madison Square Garden in New York. [AP
photo]
| "We are doing well," Yao said. "But
we must do more. We are always looking forward."
Yao, in his fourth game back since missing 21 after toe surgery, looked to
have shaken off any lingering effects of the injury with a strong start and
scored 15 points. Houston's record is 12-6 when he and McGrady play. McGrady had
missed five games with back spasms.
With both its stars healthy, Houston has its longest winning streak since it
captured five in a row from Dec. 6-15.
"It's different with both those guys around," Wesley said. "It makes it
easier on the rest of us.
"We did enough, but were not where we want to be."
The Knicks had a chance to tie with 6.9 seconds left, but a 3-point attempt
by Jalen Rose was partially blocked by Stromile Swift and fell short. Wesley,
who made four free throws in the last 23 seconds, hit his final one with 3
seconds remaining to ensure the victory.
"I wanted that one," Rose said. "I wanted that one very bad and I'd have
liked to see what had happened had he not blocked my shot."
Rose scored 16 points and had 11 assists in his debut with the Knicks after
being traded from Toronto on Friday, and received a warm reception from the
crowd. Rose and a first-round draft pick went to the Knicks for Antonio Davis.
Rose started to make it the 29th different starting lineup the Knicks have used
this season.
Jamal Crawford scored 24 points and Eddy Curry had 15 for the Knicks, who
have lost five straight and 11 of the last 12.
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