Rockets sink Lakers, extend streak to 22
Tracy McGrady had carried the Houston Rockets through their winning streak since Yao Ming went down with a foot injury.
Yesterday, it was everyone else's turn to help him.
Rafer Alston scored 31 points and hit eight 3-pointers, both career highs, and the host Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 104-92, to stretch their streak to 22 and claim sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points for the Lakers and smothered McGrady on defense, helping hold the Houston star to 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The rest of the Rockets made up for it. Shane Battier scored 14 points and shadowed Bryant most of the game, backup point guard Bobby Jackson added 19 points, and Luis Scola had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
"There wasn't a time where we wavered from successful team basketball," Battier said. "Different guys hit shots and we tightened the reins on defense."
The Rockets have won 26 of their last 27 games and 31 of their last 34. They've won 15 straight at the
Houston hasn't been beaten since a 97-89 loss to Utah Jan. 27.
"Let's keep it going," McGrady said. "This was a good test for us. We came out and took care of business."
Nuggets 168, SuperSonics 116 - Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points, Allen Iverson had 24, and Marcus Camby (13 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) had a triple-double as host Denver set an NBA season high for points in a half (84) and a game.
The 168 points are the most Denver has scored in a game since Jan. 11, 1984, against San Antonio. It is also the most the Nuggets have scored in regulation.
The Nuggets, who led by as many as 55 in the fourth quarter, fell 16 points shy of the franchise record, set in a 186-184 triple-overtime loss to Detroit Dec. 13, 1983.
The Nuggets jumped right on the SuperSonics. Three players scored in double figures in the first quarter, led by Iverson's 12. Denver shot 69 percent in the first 12 minutes.
Cavaliers 98, Bobcats 91 - LeBron James scored 33 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points and nine rebounds for host Cleveland.
Hawks 109, Knicks 98 - Joe Johnson had 28 points and 11 assists, and visiting Atlanta moved into a tie with New Jersey for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Mavericks 98, Heat 73 - Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points before sitting out most of the second half, and visiting Dallas stormed out to a huge early lead on the way to the win.
Pistons 105, Hornets 84 - Jarvis Hayes scored 29 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and host Detroit routed New Orleans.
Kings 106, Raptors 100 - Kevin Martin scored 32 points and had eight rebounds to help host Sacramento hold off Toronto.
