McGrady’s 34 Fuels the Rockets

As long as Tracy McGrady’s back doesn’t give out, he’ll gladly carry the Houston Rockets.

McGrady scored 34 points and the Rockets got their second straight quality road win, 90-81, over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

McGrady surpassed 30 points for the fourth game in a row as the Rockets, without center Yao Ming, followed up a win at Washington by handing the Cavaliers their fourth loss in 17 home games.

“I have to attack more and it seems that when I do, we are playing well. I’ve got to continue to do that,” said McGrady, who has missed eight games because of back problems.

McGrady outdueled LeBron James, who had 32 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, which made only eight of 18 free-throw attempts and seven of a season-high 29 three-point attempts.

Indiana 99, Golden State 89 -- Stephen Jackson had 27 points, five rebounds and three assists and the Pacers made eight of their first 11 shots and led by as many 21 points in winning at Golden State.

Baron Davis had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Warriors and rookie Ike Diogu added 16 points and a career-high 12 rebounds while starting at center.

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The New Orleans Hornets reached an agreement to move three games scheduled for Baton Rouge, La., to the New Orleans Arena in March, with the first being March 8 against the Lakers in their first games in the city since Hurricane Katrina.

The Hornets, also moving two other Baton Rouge games to their temporary home in Oklahoma City, will face the Denver Nuggets in New Orleans on March 18 and the Clippers on March 21.

The team was disappointed by turnout (7,302) for a game Dec. 16 against Phoenix in Baton Rouge.