Baxter, Hayes Lead Way As Rockets Overwhelm Bucks, 97-80 By Dennis L. Silva, II. 1.23.06 If the Rockets had their preference, they probably wouldn’t mind playing the rest of this season’s games on the road. Unfortunately, they must play half the season at home, where Houston currently stands at 3-13. Away from the Toyota Center is a different story, where the Rockets own a record of 11-13. Therefore, even after a heartbreaking loss to Detroit the evening before, Houston was still a confident team heading into tonight’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. Behind the normal heroics of Tracy McGrady, and the blue-collar efforts of Lonny Baxter and Chuck Hayes, the Rockets defeated the Bucks 97-80 before 14,214 at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee led 15-12 early in the first quarter despite McGrady picking up where he left off the last game. McGrady scored eight points but the Bucks countered with forward Bobby Simmons, who scored 10 in the period. Milwaukee upped their advantage to eight before David Wesley scored five consecutive points, cutting the Bucks’ edge to 28-23 heading into the second period. When Jeff Van Gundy inserted forwards Lonny Baxter and Chuck Hayes into the game, his defense seemed to pick up its intensity. Baxter scored four points and grabbed 8 rebounds in his 11 minutes on the floor while Hayes compiled seven and five, respectively, in his 10 minutes. The Rockets held a 46-41 lead late, on behalf of a 12-4 scoring run, before the Bucks’ Michael Redd (11 points, 4 assists) scored six points within the half’s last two minutes to cut Milwaukee’s deficit to 48-47 heading into halftime. The Rockets’ lead was back to five midway through the third period. Milwaukee’s offense was stale as Redd was the only sign of life, hitting a couple of fadeaway baskets from the left side. Houston bumped their lead to nine late, but Milwaukee went on a 9-0 run as they trailed 74-71 heading into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets put forth their best defensive quarter of the season. Houston held Milwaukee without a field goal for 10 minutes as the Bucks struggled from the floor, hitting only three of 18 shots. Houston, on the other hand, went to their superstar. McGrady (41 points, 8 rebounds) scored 18 points in the period, and at one point was accountable for 14 of the team’s 16 points. Defensively, Hayes (7 points, 12 rebounds) and Baxter (5 points, 11 rebounds) each closed down the middle and kept the Bucks off the offensive glass. The Rockets closed the road trip successfully, winning two of the three games. They return home to play Charlotte and Minnesota before facing off against the Miami Heat in a much bally-hooed showdown Sunday on ABC. The team is expecting a few more players to return from injury this week as the Rockets plan to make a strong finish towards the All-Star break in order to savor what’s left of the 2005-06 season. ROCKETS RECAP * The Bucks were 22-31 from the free throw line while Houston was only 10-11. * The Rockets’ backcourt of David Wesley and Rafer Alston negated Milwaukee’s more recognized guard corp of Michael Redd and TJ Ford. Each set compiled 28 points apiece. * Houston outrebounded the Bucks 48-40. * The Rockets outscored the Bucks 23-9 in the fourth quarter. * Luther Head went scoreless, missing all 6 of his shots. http://www.nba.com/games/20060123/HOUMIL/boxscore.html
