Rockets at a Loss Without McGrady

With Tracy McGrady sidelined three weeks because of back spasms, the Houston Rockets struggled down the stretch Saturday night, losing to the New Orleans Hornets, 91-84, at Houston.

The Rockets learned before the game that McGrady could be out for the rest of November after injuring his back during a practice Friday.

“We will have to learn to play without him,” said guard Rafer Alston, who scored 15 points. “But we’ve got guys who can get the job done. We’ve got a lot of firepower that can help us win games without Tracy.”

The firepower fizzled in the final minutes against the Hornets, who ended the game with a 17-2 run. The Rockets missed eight of their last nine shots and committed 17 turnovers.

P.J. Brown had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Hornets to their first road victory.

Houston’s Yao Ming had 20 points and 14 rebounds -- his 86th double-double -- but missed two close-range turnaround jumpers while the Hornets were surging.

Chris Paul finished with 15 points and David West had 12 for New Orleans.

Philadelphia 111, Indiana 109 -- Allen Iverson had 29 points and 12 assists at Indianapolis, and Maurice Cheeks earned his first victory as 76er coach.

Chris Webber had 25 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers, who nearly blew a 20-point lead. Philadelphia shot 61% from the field in the first three quarters, but struggled in the fourth.

Dallas 103, San Antonio 84 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points and combined with Devin Harris to spark a 16-2 run that broke open the game at Dallas.

Harris scored 20 of his career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter.

In their first home game since Michael Finley’s departure, the Mavericks held their former leader to two points.

Milwaukee 105, Miami 100 -- Bobby Simmons and Michael Redd each scored 23 points at Milwaukee and the Bucks posted their third consecutive comeback win over a playoff team.

Dwyane Wade, a former Marquette standout, scored 21 points for the Heat, which blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter.

New Jersey 100, Chicago 99 -- Richard Jefferson converted a three-point play with 1.5 seconds left to lift the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Jefferson’s basket came after Chicago’s Ben Gordon missed the second of two free throws with seven seconds to play. Jefferson, who finished with 28 points, drove the lane and scored while being knocked down by Tyson Chandler, then made the free throw.

Washington 87, Orlando 79 -- Gilbert Arenas scored 30 points and Antawn Jamison had 17 of his 23 in the second half for the Wizards in their home opener.

Arenas and Jamison scored 10 points in a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that put the Wizards ahead for good.

Detroit 117, Toronto 84 -- Tayshaun Prince scored 27 points and Ben Wallace had 15 points and 13 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Pistons remain unbeaten.

The Pistons outrebounded the winless Raptors, 57-35.

Charlotte 107, Boston 105 -- Gerald Wallace scored 25 points, including a layup with 2:24 to play in overtime, and the Bobcats celebrated the opening of their new arena.

The Bobcats used an 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter to get back in the game.

Phoenix 97, Utah 88 -- Shawn Marion had 20 points and 14 rebounds at Salt Lake City, and the Suns handed the Jazz its first loss.

Boris Diaw had 14 points for the Suns, including two driving baskets after the Jazz had closed within three points late in the game.

Memphis 113, Cleveland 106 -- Pau Gasol scored 29 points and had seven rebounds to lead the host Grizzlies, who shot 56% from the field and made 11 of 18 three-point shots.

LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 36 points and six assists.

Portland 94, Atlanta 93 -- Zach Randolph made a free throw with 0.2 seconds left and the Trail Blazers won their home opener.

Randolph had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and teammate Sebastian Telfair scored 18 points.

Joe Johnson had 23 points and seven assists for the winless Hawks, who have lost eight in a row to the Trail Blazers.