Houston wins again; within game of 2nd-longest NBA streak
by The Associated Press on Mar. 11, 2008, under Sports
Houston's Tracy McGrady drives into New Jersey's Richard Jefferson, a former Arizona Wildcat, on Monday. McGrady scored 19 points.
HOUSTON – Houston coach Rick Adelman reminded his team what’s at stake beyond preserving one of the NBA’s all-time winning streaks.
It’s the only pep talk the Rockets needed.
Tracy McGrady scored 19 points in less than three quarters and Houston routed cold-shooting New Jersey 91-73 on Monday night for its 19th consecutive victory, matching the third-longest streak in league history.
The Rockets won their 10th straight game by double digits, tying an NBA record last set by the Nets in 2004. They also won their 13th in a row at the Toyota Center, the franchise’s longest home-court streak since the 1985-86 team won 20 consecutive games at The Summit.
Most important, the Rockets closed within one game of the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference. That’s the number Adelman keeps emphasizing.
“I told them (Monday) they have a double whammy going,” Adelman said. “Not only do you have a chance to do something remarkable and get this streak going and keep it going, but also, every time you win, you keep shortening the season and you keep that lead that you have over other people and you’re moving up the standings.”
The Lakers play in Houston on Sunday, but the hype for that showdown can wait.
Houston can match the second-longest victory streak in NBA history with a win in Atlanta on Wednesday night. The Milwaukee Bucks won 20 in a row during the 1970-71 season.
“It’s impressive, and we keep adding on games,” point guard Rafer Alston said. “It’s fantastic to have your name mentioned and your team mentioned with some of the best teams, some of the best players to ever play the game. It says a lot about our ballclub.”
Celtics 100, 76ers 86: At Philadelphia, Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help Boston reach 50 victories for the first time in 16 years.
Cavaliers 88, Trail Blazers 80: At Cleveland, LeBron James had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season, and Cleveland rallied in the second half.
Spurs 107, Nuggets 103: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and San Antonio beat Denver in the second meeting between the teams in four days.
Magic 123, Hawks 112: At Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard had 26 points and 16 rebounds, Hedo Turkoglu had the second triple-double of his career, and Orlando rolled past Atlanta.
Mavericks 108, Knicks 79: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points in 22 minutes, then was among four starters who got to take the last quarter off as Dallas polished off a victory over listless New York.
Clippers 99, Heat 98: At Miami, Cuttino Mobley made two free throws with 2.6 seconds left and scored 29 points, and Los Angeles beat Miami hours after the Heat decided to shut Dwyane Wade down for the season.
