Houston Roundball Review Archive: December 2006 Rockets Completely Overwhelm Hawks 94-68

Friday, December 29, 2006

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Friday night, the Houston Rockets played a complete basketball game; and, the Atlanta Hawks were the hapless victims of such a complete performance.

The Rockets defeated the Hawks 94 to 68 before a soldout crowd (18,134) at Toyota Center.

Tracy McGrady led all scorers with 31 points (in just 27 minutes and 37 seconds).

McGrady found an offensive groove in the second quarter and stayed in that groove while he was on the court.

T-Mac scored 18 points in the second period and 26 points in the first half.

McGrady torched any Hawks defender coach Mike Woodson placed on him.

The only reason McGrady didn't score more than 31 points is he jammed his left thumb in third quarter and sat out the rest of the ball game because the game was well in hand at the time.

Juwan Howard added a season-high 17 points and tied his season-high with 14 rebounds.

Howard also added five assists.

Dikembe Mutombo played like a youngster diving on the floor for loose balls.

Deke grabbed 14 rebounds in only 21 minutes and 35 seconds.

Mutombo's presence on the floor simply disabled the Hawks' offense.

Rafer Alston added 12 points and Luther Head scored 11.

Shane Battier only scored five points; but, he played great defense on Hawks' superstar Joe Johnson and helped limit Johnson to just 11 points on 5 for 13 shooting.

Houston (18-12) led Atlanta 20 to 14 at the end of the first quarter; 46 to 32 at halftime; and 75 to 46 at the end of the third quarter.

The game was never in doubt.

Rockets' head coach Jeff Van Gundy praised his team's very solid performance after the game: "We had a good level of passion..."

The Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies New Year's Eve at 6pm.

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