Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Sayson: T-Mac rescues the Rockets By Homer Sayson Secondovertime
CHICAGO—With his current salary of $15.6 million, Tracy McGrady collects about $191,000 a game. And since he averages only 35.2 minutes of duty, he gets roughly $5,457 for every minute of playing time.
I could never figure out how agents, accountants and team owners determine a player's market value and salary. But last night at the United Center, before an overflowing crowd of 20,983, there was no argument about McGrady's place among the NBA's highest-paid superstars.
Scoring 30-plus points for the sixth consecutive game, T-Mac led the Rockets to an 84-77 win over the Bulls. The 6-foot-8, 223-pound guard finished with 31 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He shot 14-of-29 field goals, including 2-of-7 beyond the arc.
T-Mac felt some tightness on his back, recurring spasms that have sidelined him to eight games so far this season. But the 29-year old All-Star wouldn't let the pain hinder him, more so now that the Rockets are depleted without Yao Ming, their 7-foot-6 center who is recuperating from a broken right tibia.
It appeared like a cake walk for the Bulls early on. Leading by as many as 12, they held Houston to a season-low 30 points at the half. In those forgettable two quarters, the Rockets missed 30-of-43 field goals and they made just 1-of-17 3-point shots.
McGrady came to town averaging 35 points in his previous five games. But through three quarters, a menacing defense held him to a manageable 16 points. The Bulls did a splendid job of containing him. They limited his touches, double-teamed him on the high screen, and they threw a wall of three defenders when he ventured the shaded lane.
Suffocating as the Bulls dragnet was, it couldn't hold T-Mac's breath forever.
Like the big-money players, T-Mac found a way. Now a 9-year pro, he chose not to challenge the pesky Bulls. He drifted far from the corners, where the defense could trap him. He hid wisely behind screens, and he shot the ball quickly, long before the double-teams came.
T-Mac's rampage began with a 3 that gave Houston a 60-53 edge with 11:12 left in the final quarter. He added another triple 30 seconds later, bloating the Rockets' lead to 63-55. And with 79 seconds to go, he unglued a 77-77 tie with a buttery-soft jumper that licked the net.
But the Bulls wouldn't go away as Ben Gordon had another one of those stubborn streaks, keeping the contest close with 14 fourth-quarter points. In the end, however, Gordon's one-man army proved no match against T-Mac's one-man artillery.
T-Mac had ample help. Juwan Howard had 16 points and nine rebounds. Shane Battier added 12 points and three shotblocks. And quite surprisingly, 40-year old Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 16 rebounds, and the 7-foot-2 center dominated the defensive lanes with purpose and authority.
Luol Deng aided Gordon's 24 points with 20, but the rest of the Bulls were cold as the 27-degree weather outside the arena. Kirk Hinrich made only 1-of-11 shots, while Chris Duhon went 0-for-3. Andres Noiconi had 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
There were plenty to blame for the Bulls' 15th loss in 35 games. They converted only 30-of-82 field goals. They missed 12 of 15 3s. They got outrebounded 51-45, and they only had 17 total assists.
Still, their fate wasn't sealed until Houston's superstar played like a 15.6 million-dollar man. "I know I was going to take over. I kind of got loose a little bit, made some adjustments, got the ball on the move and crated some space on offense," T-Mac told reporters.
And that basically told the story of Houston's come-from-behind victory. Too much. Too good. T-Mac.
P.S. Space-permitting, I'll have a column tomorrow about my interview with Yao Ming, who traveled with the Rockets to consult a doctor here in Chicago. For my Friday column, I'll fill you in on my locker room chat with T-Mac.
