Houston (3-4) at San Antonio (6-2), 9:30 pm EST
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tracy McGrady may need another
miracle performance to get the Houston Rockets past the San
Antonio Spurs when the teams meet Thursday.
The Rockets have lost 15 straight games here and 23 of the last
27 meetings overall. However, the Spurs always will have the
memory of McGrady at his finest in their loss at Houston last
December 9.
McGrady finished a 33-point effort with an improbable personal
rally, scoring nine points in the final 35 seconds and hitting a
game-winning shot to finish an 81-80 victory.
The five-time All-Star returned early from back spasms to help
the Rockets win two of the last three games following a
three-game losing streak.
He scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Tuesday's
94-89 victory over Minnesota. Four other Rockets scored in
double figures, but their chances Thursday should hinge on
McGrady's efforts.
Houston is 3-1 with McGrady in the lineup. He has averaged 27.7
points in the victories but managed just 14 points in the one
loss.
San Antonio opened a three-game homestand with a 103-79 rout of
Atlanta on Tuesday. Manu Ginobili scored 24 points and Tim
Duncan added 23 for the Spurs, who had 22 assists against just
nine turnovers and shot 52 percent (44-of-84).





