BOSTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Tracy McGrady had 25 points and nine assists to overcome six turnovers Wednesday night as the Houston Rockets routed the Boston Celtics, 111-80.
Houston's 30-22 lead after one quarter grew to 62-49 at the half, and 69-49 early in the third quarter.
Shane Battier had 15 points and five rebounds; Rafer Alston and Chuck Hayes each scored 14 points; Juwan Howard had 12 points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots; Yao Ming had 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists; and Hayes also had 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals for the Rockets, who had lost their previous two games.
Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson scored 20 points apiece, and no other player scored in double figures for the Celtics, who had a four-game winning streak broken.
Boston cut its deficit to 72-59 on two free throws by Kendrick Perkins with 6:49 left, but Houston quickly recaptured total control at 86-61.
