McGrady boosts Rockets over Nuggets for big win

HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady shook off a poor start to score 32 points, Mike James gave Houston a huge lift off the bench and the Rockets won their fifth straight game.

James scored 23 points, Yao Ming had 13 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks and his backup, Dikembe Mutombo, added 11 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks to help the Rockets end the Nuggets' 10-game winning streak in a Western Conference showdown critical to playoff positioning.

With two games left before the playoffs, the Rockets (49-31) wrestled away control of sixth place in the West and now hold a tiebreaker over the Nuggets (48-32) in case both teams finish with the same record.

Kenyon Martin led the Nuggets with 22 points and nine rebounds.

SPURS 97, GRIZZLIES 75: At San Antonio, Bruce Bowen scored 15 points to help San Antonio rout Memphis, the fourth straight game the Grizzlies have missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot.

Memphis needs a victory or a Minnesota loss to wrap up a playoff spot. Minnesota will face Seattle at home Sunday night, while the Grizzlies will return to action Monday night at home against the Spurs.

The Grizzlies also failed to take advantage Spurs forward Tim Duncan's offensive struggles. In his second game back since missing 12 games because of a sprained ankle, Duncan went 3 of 11 from the floor and scored 11 points in 23 minutes.

BUCKS 113, MAGIC 103: At Milwaukee, Desmond Mason scored 22 points in three quarters to help Milwaukee Bucks snap a four-game losing streak.

Milwaukee guard T.J. Ford shot baskets with his doctor's blessing Saturday for the first time since bruising his spinal cord almost 14 months ago.

Dwight Howard led Orlando with 19 points. The Magic have lost seven straight.

BULLS 114, HAWKS 105: At Atlanta, Chicago rookie Chris Duhon made eight 3-pointers for a career-high 24 points, powering the Bulls past the Hawks.

Duhon scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in the third period to help the Bulls overcome a 19-point deficit. The Bulls outscored the Hawks 36-19 in the period en route to their 14th victory in 17 games.

Andres Nocioni scored 19 points for Chicago, Kirk Hinrich had 17 points and nine assists, and Ben Gordon added 16 points. Tony Delk led the Hawks with 18 points.

KNICKS 100, BOBCATS 98: At Charlotte, N.C., Stephon Marbury hit a jumper with 1.7 seconds left to give the New York Knicks a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.