Tracy McGrady said it would take a miracle. What it really took was rest and therapy. After missing three full games of the Olympic qualifying tournament with a sore lower back, the Orlando Magic star was - no pun intended - back last night.

With McGrady returned to the U.S. National Team's starting lineup, the Americans rolled past Puerto Rico, 91-65, setting the stage for tomorrow night's rematch in the semifinals. McGrady had six points and two rebounds in a little more than 17 minutes, and showed no ill effects of what has been a recurring problem.

Canada faces Argentina in the other semifinal tomorrow night. The two winners advance to Sunday night's gold-medal game and earn berths in next summer's Olympics in Athens, Greece, as does the winner of Sunday night's bronze-medal game.

McGrady decided Wednesday night that he would play last night. He told the coaches at breakfast yesterday.

A miracle? Not exactly.

"Just going through the treatment every day, resting my back," McGrady said. "I felt if I could find the treatment I get in Orlando, I'd be fine by the end of the week. It healed up quickly. [Wednesday night] it felt pretty good when I stretched. And it felt good when I worked out."