Houston Rockets lost to Boston Celtics 102-82
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-14 10:13

The Rockets closed it 57-49 on McGrady's basket early in the third quarter and stayed within 13 points until the Celtics broke it open with a 18-7 run to close the quarter. Boston led 84-63 after three.

New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson (24) fouls Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady (1) as he shoots in the fourth quarter of their NBA game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, November 12, 2005.[Reuters]

The only suspense the rest of the game was whether LaFrentz would establish a career-high, which he had a chance for with 3:29 to play. He missed a free throw that would have completed a three-point play. LaFrentz came out with 2:31 to play.

LaFrentz scored 32 points with Denver on April 18, 2001.

McGrady returns with 35 in Rockets win over Nets

Tracy McGrady knew it would take a little while for him to get comfortable again on the court.

McGrady scored 30 of his 35 points in the second half, and Yao Ming added 18 points to lead the Houston Rockets over the New Jersey Nets 99-91 Saturday night.

"Coming into the game, I was concentrating on just getting into the game, playing defense and rebounding, getting my legs," McGrady said. "I thought the rest would eventually come together."

McGrady struggled in the first half, shooting just 1-for-9.

"I just felt good in the second half," McGrady said. "I got my shot back. After you hit two or three shots in a row, you just kind of feel it. Once you get that feeling, you're in a zone. I don't care what defense they throw at you. It helped that I had others knocking down shots. It just opened things up for me."