Rockets blow out short-handed Mavericks
By Kristie Rieken (Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-07 09:20

Tracy McGrady scored 32 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 90-69 win over the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady, right, passes the ball around Washington Wizards' Brendan Haywood (33) during the second quarter Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in Washington. [AP]

McGrady scored 27 of his points after getting six stitches on his chin following a collision in the first quarter.

The Mavericks, who were playing without Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley for just the second time this season, set a season-low for total points and points in a half with 35. It was their lowest point total since scoring 80 against San Antonio in November.

Dallas entered the game averaging almost 103 points a game, but finished just 29-of-78 (37 percent) from the field.

Nowitzki, who was averaging 27 points, sat out with a sprained left knee, and Finley missed his second straight game with a bruised left calf. This was the second game Nowitzki has missed this season, after sitting out a game last November with a sprained left ankle.

Dallas erased a nine-point halftime deficit after going on a 12-0 run, capped when Jerry Stackhouse hit a turnaround jumper to give the Mavericks a 47-46 lead.

The Rockets scored the next eight points to go back on top and never trailed again.

Jason Terry led Dallas with 20 points. Keith Van Horn, who started for Nowitzki, added 12. The Mavericks have lost four of their last five following a six-game winning streak.

Yao Ming had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Juwan Howard and David Wesley added 11 apiece for Houston.

Finley, who never sat out a game during his first six NBA seasons, has missed 53 games over the last four because of injuries. ... Yao recorded his team-leading 18th double-double. ... A franchise-record 22 players have suited up for Houston this season, surpassing the old record of 19 from 1977-78.

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