Spurs use big run to blow past Rockets
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-28 09:33

Brent Barry hit three 3-pointers during a 21-2 run in the fourth quarter to help the San Antonio Spurs rally for a 83-70 win over Houston on Sunday, the Rockets' lowest-scoring game of the season.

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady (1) lies on the court while be attended to by athletic trainer Keith Jones during the first half of their game against the Hornets in New Orleans on Friday, March 25, 2005. McGrady suffered a strained right hip. [AP]

The Rockets, who trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, went ahead 60-55 on a 23-foot jumper by Tracy McGrady with 10:31 left in the game. The basket was the last of the game for McGrady, who finished with 26 points.

Barry tied it at 60 with 8:07 remaining with his first 3-pointer. Then the Spurs' defense took over, swarming the ball and collapsing on Yao Ming. Yao also had only one basket in the final quarter and ended with 18 points.

Houston missed all but one of its six shots during San Antonio's decisive run. The Spurs, who shot only 36 percent in the game, hit six of seven attempts beginning with Barry's first 3-pointer.

Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 18 points, while Barry had 17 and Robert Horry 12. Bruce Bowen and Tony Parker each scored 11 for the Spurs, who improved to 3-5 this season without injured forward Tim Duncan.

The win also gave the Spurs a split of the season series with Houston, which came into the game with a 10-3 record in March.

McGrady showed no ill effects after straining his right hip in Friday night's win in New Orleans. He was listed as questionable before the game, but ended up playing 44 minutes.

The Rockets' previous low was 72 in a one-point to Detroit on Nov. 30.

Rasho Nesterovic scored three of San Antonio's first four baskets, and a pair of free throws by Sean Marks late in the first gave the Spurs a 22-12 lead. McGrady made his first three attempts for the Rockets, who went more than seven minutes in the quarter without a basket.

A dunk by Ginobili off his own steal made it 33-21 San Antonio with about seven minutes left in the second, but the Spurs missed eight of their last 11 attempts.

McGrady hit three more shots late in the quarter as Houston got the difference down to 39-36 at the break.

San Antonio has beaten Houston 15 straight times at home, the last loss coming in April 1997. ... The teams last split the season series in 1997-98, when Duncan was a rookie. ... Houston's David Wesley still has 999 3-pointers in his NBA career. He went 0-for-2 behind the arc. ... San Antonio played without reserve forward Tony Massenburg, out with a fever.

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