Houston smash 76er 118-95
(NBA.com)
Updated: 2005-02-03 10:50

Tracy McGrady got hot early and the rest of his teammates joined him.

McGrady scored 21 of his 34 points in the best first half of the season for the Houston Rockets, who rolled to a 118-95 victory over the defenseless Philadelphia 76ers.

The Rockets had seven players in double figures and won for the fifth time in their last six road games. They swept the season series and evened the all-time series at 58-58.

The two-time defending NBA scoring champion, McGrady found himself in an early duel with three-time scoring champion Allen Iverson of Philadelphia. In the first quarter, McGrady scored 13 points and Iverson 15, with the extra bucket providing the 76ers with a 33-31 lead.

Early in the second period, McGrady made consecutive 3-pointers and a jumper before a hoop by Juwan Howard gave Houston a 46-35 lead. A three-point play and layup by Bob Sura extended the advantage to 59-45 with 4:38 to go.

The Rockets cooled a bit but still took a 63-55 lead into intermission. They shot a sizzling 56 percent (23-of-41) from the floor in their highest-scoring first half of the season.

McGrady had a 3-pointer and two free throws early in the third period to push the lead to double digits for good. He closed the quarter with two more from the line and a 22-footer for an 88-71 lead, then drilled another 3-pointer early in the final period to let the Sixers know there would be no comeback.

McGrady made 10-of-21 shots, including 5-of-10 3-pointers. He also handed out nine of Houston's 35 assists as everyone was very unselfish.

Howard had 14 points and a season-high 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who shot 54 percent (41-of-76) and made 14-of-25 3-pointers - one shy of their season high - as they posted their second-best output of the season.

Iverson had 28 points and 10 assists for the Sixers (21-24), who allowed at least 110 points for the seventh time this season and were knocked out of first place in the weak Atlantic Division.

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