Bodog Beat

Tracy McGrady entered Tuesday’s game leading the NBA in scoring, but only had 12 points for the Rockets. (AI Wire photo)

When Rick Adelman took over as coach of the Houston Rockets, he vowed his team would be quicker on offense and more competitive against the top two teams in the NBA’s Southwest Division.

This week, the Rockets have been able to test out how well they’ve adapted to their new coach’s tactics. Houston lost on Monday to Dallas. On Tuesday, they faced the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and came away with an 89-81 victory.

San Antonio was favored against the point spread by three on the road while the betting total was 185.

The Spurs entered the game having won 14 of 18 in Houston and 31 of 39 against the Rockets overall. But Yao Ming put up a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds to lead Houston. Tracy McGrady, who was leading the league in scoring with 33.3 points per game, only scored 12 for the Rockets.

In other NBA action on Tuesday:

New York Knicks 119, Denver 112: In the first meeting since the Dec. 16 brawl between these two teams, Zach Randolph had 22 points and 17 rebounds as the Knicks beat the Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. The Nuggets were favored by four and the total went over 211.

Phoenix 115, Charlotte 83: The Suns by covered the five-point spread on the road as three players scored 16 points each. The total was under 205.

New Jersey 87, Atlanta 82: Richard Jefferson poured in 25 poitns as the Nets barely covered the four-point spread at home. The total was under 189.

Orlando 111, Minnesota 103: Dwight Howard scored 28 points and had 13 rebounds for the Magic, who were favored by 6.5 points on the road. The total was well over 189.

Milwaukee 112, Toronto 85: A 3.5-point underdog at home, the Bucks blew out the Raptors as Desmond Mason went 10-for-10 from the floor and finished with 21 points. The total was over 191.

Los Angeles Clippers 97, Chicago 91: Cuttino Mobley netted 33 points as the Clippers pulled the upset at the United Center. The Bulls were favored by eight while the total was under 194.

Sacramento 104, Seattle 98: Francisco Garcia hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds to play to lift the host Kings. Kevin Durant had 27 to lead the SuperSonics. The Kings were favored by two points.

New Orleans 118, Los Angeles Lakers 104: Peja Stojakovic scored 36 points to lead the Hornets at the Staples Center, where they were three-point underdogs. Kobe Bryant had 28 for the Lakers.

Cavaliers 108, Warriors 104: LeBron James had 24 points and 14 rebounds as the Cavaliers pulled off an upset in Oakland. The Warriors were favored by 2.5 against the spread.

For NBA odds on Wednesday’s games, take your shots with the Bodog Sportsbook.