[1.8.06] Rockets-Nuggets Game Recap

Rockets’ Suffer Two Losses In One Game As McGrady Re-injures Back, Nuggets snipe Rockets 92-90

By Dennis L. Silva, II.
1.8.06

If things could possibly get any worse for the Houston Rockets, head coach Jeff Van Gundy doesn’t want to hear it. With Juwan Howard suspended one game for Friday’s altercation with Toronto Raptors guard Mike James, the last thing Van Gundy needed was for his leading scorer to leave the game on a stretcher. But his nightmares became a horrid reality as Tracy McGrady was carried off a stretcher at halftime after collapsing to the floor due to wretched back spasms. As a result, the Rockets’ effort, as valiant as it was, was not enough to overcome Denver’s perimeter powers as the Carmelo Anthony nailed a game-winning jumper with one second remaining to give Denver a 92-90 victory.

The Rockets could not have started the game better, scoring the first eight points and hitting four of their first five shots from the floor. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from that point as the Nuggets scored six points in a row to stay close. Denver went on a 12-1 run midway through the first quarter as Houston aided that cause by shooting 0-9 following their hot start. The Rockets’ offense had healthy ball movement but no one could hit any open shots, and Denver happily took advantage. However, McGrady scored on a difficult 3-point play, and Stromile Swift hit a long 20-footer as Houston managed a 20-16 lead heading into the second period.

In the second quarter, Lonny Baxter came off the bench to give Houston a much-needed dose of energy and hustle. Baxter scored six quick points and snared three tough rebounds in his 11 minutes on the floor. But the Rockets had no answer for the sharpshooting of Nuggets guard Earl Watson, who drained two treys to pave way for a 20-4 Denver run late in the period. The amazing part was that, even after that ferocious scoring spree, Denver’s lead was only six (37-31) with two minutes and change remaining. Houston did a commendable job of forcing turnovers (the Nuggets had 11 turnovers in the first half) and holding Anthony to only 3-8 field goal shooting. Rafer Alston (6 points, 5 assists in the first half) nailed two consecutive treys to tie the game before Denver’s Greg Bucker hit a three to give the Nuggets their halftime lead of 40-37.

The scary moment came just minutes after McGrady had shot an errant jumper before the close of the half. Following the shot, McGrady crumbled to the floor in agony, clutching his back and writhing around in pain. He stayed on the floor for ten minutes before having to be carried off on a stretcher. McGrady, who had compiled 11 points and two rebounds up to that point, did not return.

The Rockets came out of halftime looking for any sort of spark, and they got just that. David Wesley scored six points early in the third quarter (all on layups), and Alston scored seven consecutive points of his own on a variety of running shots and 3-pointers. Houston held a 56-53 lead late, but Watson nailed another trey, and Houston could not contain the speed of Earl Boykins, who sped his way through the lane and earned a few trips to the free throw line. The Nuggets held a 67-62 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Watson hit two more three-point shots in the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Rockets would tie the game at 75 after Luther Head (16 points, 5 assists) hit a three of his own, and Swift (17 points, 6 rebounds) scored on a nifty move inside. Wesley would score on a difficult layup and Alston followed by scoring on a fastbreak layup after a Head steal. When Swift added two more points off of another post move, Houston had regained the lead, 86-85, with 2:20 remaining. The game’s final minute saw an intense exchange of scores as Boykins (17 points, three assists) hit a three with 31.6 seconds remaining to put Denver up 90-88, and Swift was fouled on the ensuing possession and nailed two free throws to tie the game once more. Denver did not call a timeout to set up a play, instead choosing to race down the floor and set up Anthony in an iso situation on the left wing against Wesley. Anthony (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) faced up, took a couple of hard dribbles and stepped back from 20 feet away to put the Nuggets on top for good, 92-90, with a mere second left. Swift failed to catch the inbounds pass on the Rockets’ final play, and Denver walked away victorious.

The Rockets will travel to Charlotte to play the Bobcats on Tuesday, but it will likely be without McGrady, although no final word has been said. But with the team eight games under the .500 mark, Houston must find immediate help if it plans to save the season. Though the likes of Ryan Bowen, Lonny Baxter, and Dikembe Mutombo have played admirably, if the team has to rely on consistent contributions from them, any hope of a playoff berth is bleak.


ROCKETS RECAP

· Houston held Denver, the league’s top fast-break team, to only five points in transition.
· Denver shot 11-25 from 3-point range, while Houston was a miserable 7-22.
· Alston seemed intent on making his performance against Toronto on Friday an aberration. Alston tallied 24 points with 11 assists, along with five rebounds and three steals.
· Houston outscored the Nuggets 42-16 in the paint.
· Mutombo continued his recent string of monster rebounding games, snaring 13 in 25 minutes against Denver.


http://www.nba.com/games/20060108/DENHOU/boxscore.html