Duncan, Spurs hold off Rockets 86-80 (AP) Updated: 2005-11-18 14:14
SAN ANTONIO - Tim Duncan had 19 points and nine rebounds, and the San Antonio
Spurs held off a late surge by the Houston Rockets in an 86-80 victory Thursday
night.
Houston Rockets Yao
Ming, left, of China tries to reach for a rebound as San Antonio Spurs'
Tim Duncan pulls it in, in the second quarter in the SBC Center in San
Antonio, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005.
[AP] | Tony Parker scored 17 points for the Spurs,
and Robert Horry added 16 — including a key 3-pointer late in the game. Manu
Ginobili had 15 points and four steals. San Antonio dominated inside, score 52
points in the paint.
Tracy McGrady led Houston with a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds, but was
held to 0-7 shooting in the first half. Yao Ming had 19 points, but just one in
the second half.
After Juwan Howard's layup cut Houston's deficit to 64-52 with 2:58 left in
the third quarter, San Antonio scored the next eight points to stretch their
lead to 20 points. Robert Horry scored the last six points of the run, capped by
a pair of free throws for a 72-52 lead with 11:19 remaining in the game.
The Rockets scored six straight points to make it 72-58 on David Wesley's
jumper with 9:43 left.
McGrady began to score rapidly late, including two jumpers that cut the lead
to six with under 5 minutes to go. However, Ginobili and Parker each hit a pair
of free throws to seal the win.
The Spurs shot 46 percent compared to Houston's 38.9
percent.
Garnett's near triple double lifts Wolves
MINNEAPOLIS - Kevin Garnett had 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and
Richie Frahm hit key shots in the fourth quarter to lead the Minnesota
Timberwolves to a 109-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.
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