T-Mac nails big one for Rockets
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-22 14:09

The shot was the same, at almost the same time, from the same spot, with another similar game on the line.

But it was not just about the shot.

Tracy McGrady, in command of everything but his shooting touch all night, had the game in his hands again. But this time, when he made his quick move to his left and pulled up from 22 feet, he nailed his jumper to help close out the Rockets' 97-93 win over the Trail Blazers, Sunday at the Rose Garden.

Tracy McGrady (R) of the Houston Rockets drives by Shareef Abdur-Raheem of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of NBA game played in Portland, Oregon on November 21, 2004. [Reuters]

McGrady's jumper with 13.2 seconds left had given the Rockets a four-point lead. On Saturday in Los Angeles, the same shot rattled around and out with 9.2 seconds remaining, requiring a few late free throws and overtime to finish off the Clippers.

But it was not just McGrady's conviction a day later that remained unshaken.

The Rockets had another double-digit fourth-quarter lead and saw most of it slip away as it did in losses to the Hawks and Knicks. But like McGrady, with the game on the line, they confidently finished a second close win in as many days.

"We were only thinking about closing out the game," guard Jim Jackson said after his two free throws with 7.3 seconds left returned the four-point lead and sealed the win. "We closed one out last night. It was just about making the plays."

It also seemed evidence of a team coming together. The Rockets had some of the same problems, especially in securing the defensive boards. Yao Ming got in early foul trouble and was limited to 26 minutes. They could not begin to find an answer for Zach Randolph, who had 28 points and 14 rebounds.

But for all the Rockets' problems on the boards, they allowed just two second-chance points in the final four minutes. Unlike previous road games, Yao did not let foul trouble sap his aggressiveness. Randolph had just four points in the fourth quarter.

Most of all, the Rockets might have had their best offensive game of the season, hitting 46.2 percent of their shots and committing just 10 turnovers."

Tracy McGrady (1) of the Houston Rockets drives by Theo Ratliff (L) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of NBA game played in Portland, Oregon on November 21, 2004. [Reuters]

"I thought we played great on offense," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "When you're so used to seeing a team turn the ball over all the time, when you have 10, it looks good. That's how it's supposed to be. You're supposed to throw it to yourself.

"I thought we played great offensively. Tracy, (shooting) 5-for-15, I thought played great. The 11 assists, you can tell he created, but there were so many others maybe we missed. I thought he played a hell of a game."

It also was another step in assuming his role as a player that can lead the Rockets in a variety of ways. A night after scoring his season high 32, his 11 assists were also a season-high.

"He's been driven the last two games, which is what you need your best players to be," Van Gundy said. "And I thought Yao was much more driven tonight."

But when he sat, Dikembe Mutombo offered a lift the Rockets had to have, collecting his first double double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes.

But the game had to be won in the closing seconds after the Blazers moved to within two with 35.9 seconds left.

The Rockets called timeout with 25 second left in the game and 14 on the shot clock, setting up McGrady as a matter of course. As he did in the closing seconds against the Knicks and Clippers, he ran the clock down, but this time, nailed the shot as if he could not possibly miss it.

"The whole game I was just making my teammates better," McGrady said. "When it came down to that situation, I had to step up. When you take that shot, it can make or break you. Last night I missed and had to make some free throws and win it in overtime. Tonight, we needed that shot to go in. I never look back."

It also might be a statement. As close as the wins were, the last second-victories in Portland and Los Angeles might have chased the fourth-quarter demons gathering with the losses to the Hawks and Knicks.

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