HOUSTON -- Yao Ming had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Jon Barry
scored 19 and Houston beat Orlando despite playing without leading
scorer Tracy McGrady.
The Rockets won their third straight and completed a two-game
season sweep of the Magic in five days, proving that -- at least for
now -- they got the better of the summer blockbuster trade that
fetched them McGrady, Juwan Howard and two other players.
McGrady, who scored 27 points in a win at Orlando on Thursday,
wasn't around for the rematch because of a medical emergency in his
family. Team officials weren't sure where he was going or how long
he would be away.
Barry picked up the scoring slack with a season-high point total
off the bench and Bob Sura added 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven
assists, helping the Rockets move a season-best four games over
.500 (23-19).
Playing in Houston for the first time since the trade, Magic
guard Steve Francis had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists
but also committed seven turnovers.<
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