T-Mac and Rockets soar over Trail Blazers

Portland, OR (Basketball News) - Tracy McGrady poured in 35 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Houston’s 100-86 victory over Portland at the Rose Garden.

David Wesley and Stromile Swift each added 11 points to help Houston, which overcame an ineffective performance from Yao Ming to beat Portland for the eighth consecutive time.

Yao was limited to nine points and five rebounds in 25 minutes and fouled out after going 4-of-10 from the field. However, Houston still won its third in a row overall for the first time this season and won in Portland for a fourth straight time.

Sebastian Telfair had 17 points to pace Portland, which lost for the seventh time in eight games. Zach Randolph added 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Joel Przybilla pulled down 15 rebounds and Ruben Patterson scored 12 points for the Blazers.

Portland led by as many as four points in the first quarter, but trailed 24-20 after 12 minutes as McGrady hit a three-pointer to close out the period.

The second quarter was tight throughout, with Houston grabbing a 47-42 edge at the half.

Houston started to open some breathing room with an 8-0 run in the third quarter. McGrady’s running jumper started the push, and Wesley’s layup ended it with 3:22 to play in the stanza for a 61-51 Rockets’ lead.

The lead grew to 13 points later in the third and the Rockets led 68-57 going into the fourth.

Portland couldn’t get closer than seven points the rest of the way. A Steve Blake jumper had the Blazers within 82-75 with 4:26 remaining, but Derek Anderson responded with a three-pointer to beat the shot clock on the ensuing possession.

Game Notes

McGrady was 14-of-31 from the field...Randolph made just 6-of-22 shots...Portland shot 38 percent, compared to 45.6 percent for the Rockets...Portland center Theo Ratliff was sidelined for a second consecutive game with a foot injury.