(Best E Casino) - The Houston Rockets will try to pick up where they left off before the All-Star break, as they shoot for their ninth straight win tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

Houston has won eight in a row and posted an 89-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings last Wednesday in the finale of a four-game homestand at the Toyota Center. Yao Ming ended with 25 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for the Rockets, who last won nine straight games from March 16 - 30, 1999.

Rafer Alston notched a season-high 23 points and dished out seven assists for the Rockets, who have not lost since a 97-89 setback to the Utah Jazz on January 27 at the Toyota Center. Tracy McGrady finished with six rebounds, five assists and 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting in the victory.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have alternated wins and losses over their last six games and headed to the mid-season break with a 112-105 setback to the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. Manu Ginobili exploded for 46 points to bury the Cavs, who will close out a short two-game homestand on Tuesday.

All-Star Game MVP LeBron James scored 39 points and handed out nine assists to lead Cleveland, which is 15-9 as the host this season. Larry Hughes, who had a season-high 40 points during last Monday's win at Orlando, scored 26 points and grabbed six rebounds in defeat.

James was named MVP of this year's All-Star Game for the second time in his career (2006) after he recorded 27 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the East over the West on Sunday at New Orleans Arena.

On the injury front for Cleveland, guard Daniel Gibson (hamstring) is probable for Tuesday's game against Houston.

Houston handed the Cavs a 92-77 loss on February 7 at the Toyota Center, and has won two of three and seven of the last nine games in the series.

Both teams have split the previous six encounters in Cleveland. The Rockets have lost five of their last nine trips to Quicken Loans Arena.