Rockets Force Game 7 With Ease

Tracy McGrady refused to be denied in Game 6, and now he’ll have one more chance to advance in the playoffs for the first time.

Playing with the desperation of a man on the brink of elimination, McGrady had 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to help the Houston Rockets avoid a first-round exit with a 101-83 victory over Dallas on Thursday night.

The series is tied 3-3, with Game 7 at Dallas on Saturday.

Mike James came off the bench for 22 points, and Jon Barry scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter for the Rockets.

Jerry Stackhouse led Dallas with 21 points, and Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 on only five-for-22 shooting as he continued his series-long struggles against McGrady’s defense.

Rocket fans disappointed by blown fourth-quarter leads in the last two home games, including a 20-0 run by Dallas in Game 3, were treated to an improbably dominant finish in this one.

McGrady scored eight consecutive points, including two three-point baskets, during a 19-0 spurt that turned a close game into a rout and gave Houston a 101-80 lead.

The Mavericks couldn’t even counter with their usually potent offense, making only four of 27 shots in the final period.

The Rockets also won without much help from Yao Ming, who avoided foul trouble for the first time in the series but never found a rhythm. Yao had eight points and five rebounds and sat out the entire fourth quarter as Houston went with veteran Dikembe Mutombo.