Without McGrady, Rockets lose to Hornets
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-07 09:13

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets will have to learn how to win without Tracy McGrady. With their superstar sidelined three weeks with back spasms, the Rockets struggled down the stretch on Saturday night, losing to the New Orleans Hornets 91-84.

New Orleans Hornets' PJ Brown, left, takes the ball to the basket as Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, right, looks on in the second half of play on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2005, in Houston. Hornets won 91-84. [AP]

P.J. Brown had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Chris Paul sank two runners in the final minute to carry the Hornets to their first road win of the season.

The Rockets found out before the game that McGrady could be out for the rest of November after hurting his back during Friday's practice.

After a slow start, the Rockets managed to overcome McGrady's absence, building an eight-point lead in the second half. But they sorely missed him down the stretch, as the Hornets closed with a 17-2 run.

Paul finished with 15 points and David West added 12 for New Orleans.

Yao Ming had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and tied a career high with seven blocks. Derek Anderson added 17 points and Rafer Alston had 15.

Houston looked like it would survive its first game without McGrady, taking an 82-74 lead on Anderson's 3-pointer with 6:09 to go.

Brown, guarded by Yao, then scored seven points early in the deciding run and gave the Hornets the lead for good on a jumper over Yao with 1:59 to go.

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