(Best E Casino) - The red-hot
Houston Rockets will try to extend their season high winning streak to 12 games this evening, when they open a five-game homestand versus the
Chicago Bulls at the Toyota Center.
Houston will also host Washington, Memphis, Denver and Indiana, and owns a 17-9 record as the host this season. Its last loss was at home versus Utah on January 27. The Rockets have ripped off six straight victories at the Toyota Center ever since.
In Friday's 100-80 triumph over the Hornets at New Orleans Arena, Tracy McGrady poured in 34 points and Yao Ming added 28 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Rockets to their 11th straight win overall and a franchise-best 10th in a row on the road.
The Rockets are riding the longest winning streak since the 1993-94 championship squad opened the campaign with a 15-0 mark. That team went on to win the first of back-to-back NBA titles.
Chicago will open a three-game road trip tonight against Houston, Dallas and Indiana. The Bulls have dropped two straight on the road and are 10-18 away from the Windy City this season.
The Bulls have won two of their last three games overall, including Friday's 135-121 victory over the Denver Nuggets at the United Center. Ben Gordon poured in 37 points and dished out five assists off the bench to lead the way.
Andres Nocioni chipped in 21 points and Tyrus Thomas recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards in the win. Kirk Hinrich added 16 points and 14 assists for Chicago, which was active in the trade market prior to Thursday's deadline, pulling off a three-team, 11-player deal with Cleveland and Seattle. Chicago sent four-time All-Star Ben Wallace and veteran forward Joe Smith to the Cavaliers as part of the deal, which landed the Bulls a pair of notable performers in guard Larry Hughes and forward Drew Gooden.
Chicago also acquired youngsters Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown from Cleveland and shipped forward Adrian Griffin to Seattle in the trade. None of the new players played on Friday, but are expected to play Sunday.
The Rockets handed the Bulls a 116-98 defeat on December 22 this season at the United Center. They have won four in a row and nine of the last 10 matchups in the series.
Chicago has dropped four of five and six of its last eight games at Houston.
