Rockets bench dominates SuperSonics

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets’ supporting cast stepped into the spotlight against the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night.

Rafer Alston scored 18 points as the Rockets, playing without Tracy McGrady, got 48 points from their reserves to easily beat the Sonics 103-80.

McGrady sat out with a sore left shoulder that’s bothered him for more than a week, but the Rockets didn’t miss him, handing Seattle its 11th straight road loss.

Rookie Luis Scola had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Luther Head started for McGrady and scored 16 and sharp-shooting reserve Steve Novak added a career-high 17 points as Houston kept pace with first-place New Orleans in the tightly packed Western Conference playoff race.

“I’m really proud of our bench guys,” Houston coach Rick Adelman said. “I mean, they just stepped up. The guys that we needed to step up off the bench did a good job.”

Former University of Texas star Kevin Durant scored 26 to lead Seattle, while Nick Collison grabbed 15 rebounds and Earl Watson added 16 points and eight assists.

Seattle has lost seven straight meetings with Houston and 18 of their last 20 games overall.

“I didn’t like the way we played,” said Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo. “We played like a very tired team, much more on defense.”

The Rockets shot 53 percent (39 of 74) and outrebounded Seattle 47-35 to win for the 33rd time in their last 39 games.

“For any team to be able to be successful in the playoffs, you’ve got to have guys that are going to be able to come in and play and have depth,” Novak said. “We’ve done a good job of that all year.”