Houston Rockets Team Report - December 27

(Basketball News) - Houston registered an impressive 96-79 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center on Sunday night.

Tracy McGrady had 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists to lead the Rockets to the win. Jim Jackson netted 21 points on 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range for the Rockets, who have won seven of their last 10 games. Yao Ming finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Rockets missed their first five shots from the field in the second half and committed four turnovers during the stretch, as the Clippers used a 9-0 run to pull within 52-49.

But a Jackson three-pointer gave the Rockets a 55-49 lead, and after the Clippers turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds play, Jackson canned another trey to extend the lead back to nine points at 58-49 with 6:45 left.

The third quarter was a see-saw affair the rest of the way, before the Rockets took a 71-59 lead into the final 12 minutes.

The Rockets came out hot in the fourth quarter, and scored seven of the first nine points of the frame to go up 78-61 with 11 minutes remaining, effectively ending the suspense.

This is the third straight game that Yao and McGrady have scored 20 points each. They have teamed up to do so nine times this season.

Bob Sura was held scoreless for Houston but had five assists and five steals.

Houston has a day off before hitting the road to take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on Tuesday.