HOUSTON (AP) -- Tracy McGrady is ready to rescind his hold on the
NBA scoring title. He's discovered passing can be pretty fun, too.
McGrady had 21 points and nine assists, and Jim Jackson matched
a season high with 21 points in the Rockets' 96-79 victory over the
Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
McGrady, who led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons while
with Orlando, is five points off his 28-point average from last
year. But he also is averaging 5.2 assists a game, more than one
per game better than his career average.
"I've had my time leading the league in scoring," McGrady said
with a smile. "I think the best play I have when they're
double-teaming me is to make it easy on my team and find my guys on
the perimeter. I get a kick out of that."
Coach Jeff Van Gundy does too.
"If they're committing to him like they have been recently, you
know he's a very willing passer," Van Gundy said. "You couldn't
play with a more unselfish player.
"But if they're going to get in single coverage on him, I don't
care how many times he shoots the ball."
Jackson credited much of his scoring to McGrady and Yao Ming,
who had 20 points and 11 rebounds as Houston won for the seventh
time in 10 games. It was Yao's third straight double-double and
team-high 11th of the season.
"A lot of (my scoring) came from Yao and Tracy being aggressive
early," Jackson said. "When those guys are double-teamed, if we
get to our spots, we'll have open shots."
Corey Maggette scored 23 points to lead the Clippers, who lost
their eighth straight to the Rockets. Los Angeles has not defeated
Houston since Dec. 14, 2002.
"Houston is a good team with Yao and T-Mac and their role
players," Maggette said. "They should have a better record. They
are searching for their chemistry and when they get it, they'll be
a tough team to beat."
Coach Mike Dunleavy lamented his team losing the rebounding
battle 39-33 and having six shots blocked, three by McGrady.
"We struggled with their size all game," Dunleavy said. "Yao
got too deep on us and they killed us on the boards. Our big guys
just didn't board at all. We let them control us in that regard."
Houston used a 12-0 run to take command in the first quarter.
Yao had 11 points during the period, including seven free throws,
to help the Rockets take a 31-20 lead.
The Rockets weren't done. They went on a 11-0 second-quarter run
to up their lead to 48-33. Yao had 17 at the half and Houston led
52-40.
Los Angeles scored the first nine points of the third quarter to
close the margin to 52-49. But consecutive 3s by Jackson pushed
Houston's lead back to nine.
Jon Barry, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta last
Thursday, scored his first points as a Rocket when he hit a
3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to push Houston's lead to
76-59.
Game notes
The Rockets activated guard Reece Gaines and placed guard
Charlie Ward on the injured list with a right knee contusion. ... G
Marko Jaric was held out of the starting lineup for the second
straight game with a right foot sprain.