McGrady, Rockets soar past Hawks

Juwan Howard had a season-high 17 points, tied a season high with 13 rebounds and had five assists for the Rockets, who have won a modest two straight. Rafer Alston added 12 points and Luther Head had 11 off the bench in the win.

Josh Childress had 15 points to pace Atlanta — losers of six straight and 10 of 11 — while Shelden Williams had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Joe Johnson also added 11 points in the loss.

Houston hit on a blistering 50.7 percent of its shots and was 7-of-18 from long range. Atlanta weakly countered by shooting just 34.7 percent and was 0- for-11 on three-point attempts.

Houston held a six-point lead at 20-14 after the first. The big run of the frame came midway through as, down 9-6, Houston went on an 11-2 run to go up 17-11 with 1:38 to go. Alston netted seven points during the spurt while McGrady accounted for the other four.

The Rockets then outscored the Hawks 26-18 in the second to carry a 46-32 lead into the break.

Nine straight points by Houston upped its lead to 29-16 with 7:29 left. McGrady then stayed hot as he netted 11 straight points for the Rockets to put his club up 40-21 with 4:03 on the clock.

McGrady had 26 points by the half.

It only got worse for the Hawks in the third as they were outscored 29-14 to fall further behind, 75-46, and never threatened in the fourth frame.

The Hawks have now lost eight straight and 13 of their last 14 at Houston.

Game Notes

Atlanta was playing the first of three straight road games while Houston was starting a four-game homestand...Houston won the battle of the boards, 46-37...Dikembe Mutombo had a season high 14 rebounds for Houston.