PrintCeltics Nip Rockets 90-89
Tracy McGrady scores 10 points in preseason debut
Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON - So much for preseason intensity.
The Rockets and Celtics went at each other with the sort of fervor typically reserved for games that actually count in the standings, and Boston escaped with a 90-89 win when officials disallowed Luis Scola's jumper at the buzzer, ruling the ball had not yet left his hand when the clock struck double-zero.
Saturday night’s contest also featured the preseason debut of Tracy McGrady, who finally got a chance to test his surgically-repaired left knee. The early returns were positive, as T-Mac scored 10 points in just one quarter of play; primarily due to his ability to draw fouls and convert at the free throw line – McGrady finished 8-of-9 from the charity stripe.
T-Mac’s parade to the line was indicative of a game which devolved into a hack-fest almost right from the start; the physical play and surprising level of intensity resulted in a whopping thirty-six first half fouls – and one minor confrontation between McGrady and Bill Walker after T-Mac sent the rookie sprawling with a firm shoulder near the end of the first quarter. That play eventually led to a double-technical when McGrady and the always-talkative Eddie House had to be separated after getting into a jawing match a few moments later.
Not surprisingly, Ron Artest seemed right at home participating in such a physical contest. The Rockets’ prized offseason acquisition continued his strong preseason play, contributing 13 points, 3 steals and his trademark in-your-face defensive intensity. Meanwhile, Yao Ming led all scorers with 16 points in his most extended appearance of the preseason (nearly 24 minutes).
The frantic finale was set up when Boston's Gabe Pruitt inadvertently banked in an elbow jumper with six seconds left, giving Boston a one-point lead. After Scola had a lay-up blocked out of bounds with .4 seconds remaining on the clock, the Rockets had time for only a catch and shoot attempt off an inbounds pass. The second-year forward drained a jump shot from the baseline on the ensuing play, but officials waved it off, saying Scola's shot did not beat the buzzer. Replays appeared inconclusive.
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