Rockets beat Sonics for 7th win in a row
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-21 13:46

With Tracy McGrady watching from the sideline, Mike James scored 24 points to help the Houston Rockets close the regular season with their seventh straight win Wednesday night, 106-78 over the undermanned Seattle SuperSonics.

Houston Rockets' Ryan Bowen (40) drives to the basket against Seattle SuperSonics' Ronald Murray (22) during the second quarter Wednesday, April 20, 2005, in Houston. [AP]

McGrady missed the game because of back spasms, while Seattle's Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis sat out for the SuperSonics.

The Rockets will open the playoffs Saturday against Dallas.

Even without McGrady, the Sonics, who trailed by as many as 39, had no answer for the Rockets' offense. Six Rockets scored in double-digits and Houston was 11-of-16 from 3-point range for a season-high 68.8 percent.

Yao Ming had 13 points in 23 minutes, Bob Sura scored 18 points and Jon Barry had 14.

Houston led 28-24 after the first quarter and scored 13 straight points to start the second and the Sonics never threatened again.

The game got completely out of hand midway through the third quarter when Houston went on an 12-3 run, fueled by 3s from David Wesley and Scott Padgett, to stretch its lead to 33 points.

While the outcome was never in question in the second half, Seattle's Jerome James was good for adding a bit of drama to the night. He was called for two technicals and ejected by official Steve Javie after jawing with him over a foul with 7:13 left in the third. James had two points and two rebounds in 13 minutes.

Allen sat out with a sprained right ankle and Lewis with tendinitis in his left knee. They scored 21 points apiece in Seattle's 101-96 loss to Dallas on Tuesday night.

Ronald Murray led Seattle with 22 points and Vitaly Potapenko had 13 points. Seattle made a season-low two 3-pointers and shot 43 percent from the field. The Sonics have lost eight of their last 10 games entering Saturday's playoff opener against Sacramento.

McGrady is listed as day-to-day.

Close

Ferrero wins first round in Barcelona A farewell to Armstrong Rockets beat Clippers 115-90, win 6th straight

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
China's economy expands 9.5% in first quarter         Japan asking for informal summit with China         France calls China arms ban 'anachronistic'         President's first leg of Asian trip fruitful         White paper portrays IPR protection progress         Safety experts sent to curb colliery accidents	Rockets beat Sonics for 7th win in a row       Chelsea held as nine-man United lose against Everton       All 28 sports to face vote for 2012 Olympic Games inclusion       Czechs up to second in FIFA world rankings       Great 'tall' of China: 7-foot-8 Sun eyes NBA       Chinese U20 hold Stuttgart Kickers to 0-0 draw