=== Houston Rockets Team Report - November 14 === (My Sportsbook) - The Tracy McGrady-less Rockets fell 84-79 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at the Toyota Center. Yao Ming poured in a game-high 32 points to help Houston cut into a 22-point third-quarter deficit. The Rockets, playing without the injured Tracy McGrady, had the lead momentarily before being dealt their second straight loss without the star guard. McGrady has been hampered by a strained hip flexor and groin strain. His replacement Jim Jackson shot just 5-of-17 and finished with 15 points in 39 minutes. Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich returned to Houston for the first time. Tomjanovich spent 33 years in Houston as both a player and a coach, leading the Rockets to back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and '95 before having to resign in March 2003 upon being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He was honored during a pregame ceremony and given numerous standing ovations. Rockets GM Carroll Dawson presented Tomjanovich with a portrait of the coach with his hands raised in triumph on the sideline. Houston shot 34.6 percent (27-of-78), while the Lakers were 29-for-71 (41 percent). The Rockets have just one day off before facing the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena on Monday. It is unknown if McGrady will be able to play versus New Jersey. |
