McGrady leads Rockets past Clippers in OT
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-21 08:43

Tracy McGrady tallied 32 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Houston over the Los Angeles Clippers, 91-86, in an overtime contest at the Staples Center.

Jim Jackson added 16 points and seven boards for the Rockets, who put the brakes on a two-game losing streak.

Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady, left, elevates to score against Los Angeles Clippers' Marko Jaric during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. McGrady scored a game high 32-points and the Rockets came from behind to win in overtime, 91-86. [AP]

The Rockets swept the four-game season-series from the Clippers last year and have won seven in a row in this matchup. Houston has also won four straight as the visitor in this series.

Bobby Simmons netted a team-high 20 points before fouling out for the Clippers, who have dropped two straight on the heels of a two-game winning streak.

The Clippers went on a 13-7 run late in the fourth quarter to jump ahead. Chris Wilcox capped the burst with a bucket in the paint to give LA an 81-78 lead with 1:07 remaining in regulation.

Jackson trimmed the deficit to one on the ensuing possession with a basket for the Rockets.

Houston got the ball back and had a chance to take the lead, but McGrady missed a jumper and Wilcox grabbed the rebound. Wilcox was fouled immediately and with 8.7 seconds left made one of two from the stripe to give the Clippers an 82-80 lead in the fourth.

The Rockets gave the ball to McGrady, who was fouled with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation and the All-Star made both free throws to send the game into an extra session.

 

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, right, hugs teammate Tracy McGrady before the start of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers' Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. McGrady scored a game high 32-points and the Rockets won in overtime, 91-86. [AP]

McGrady opened the scoring in overtime not even a minute in to give the Rockets an 84-82 edge and they led the rest of the way.

With 25 seconds left, Jackson scored a field goal to push the Houston lead to 90-86 and McGrady drained a free throw in the final seconds to seal the victory.

The Rockets won the game despite shooting just 39 percent from the field and turning the ball over 19 times.

Houston led 25-17 after the opening 12 minutes and then took a 45-40 edge into the intermission.

The Clippers trailed by nine midway through the third, but took a three-point lead with 12 unanswered points. Simmons completed the burst on a basket with 5:35 left in the frame to put LA in front, 54-51. Game Notes

Los Angeles, which started a three-game homestand, is 2-2 at home this season...On the milestone front, head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who won 248 games while with the Knicks from 1996-2001, needs two more wins for 300 in his career.

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