Houston, TX (Best E Casino) - Tracy McGrady finished with 41 points and nine assists, as the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to 18 games with a 106-96 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Rafer Alston added 20 points for the Rockets, whose winning streak was already the longest in franchise history, and the longest this season. Now Houston has tied three other teams for the fourth-longest winning streak in NBA history, matching New York (1969-70), Boston (1981-82), and Chicago (1995-96).

Moreover, Houston tied New Orleans for third in the Western Conference standings, and second place in the Southwest Division, as they have identical 42-20 records. Shane Battier was the only other Rockets player in double- figures, with 10 points.

Chris Paul finished with 37 points and 11 assists, while Tyson Chandler had 16 rebounds to go with 15 points for the Hornets, who had a three-game win streak snapped.

Peja Stojakovic added 13 points and 10 boards, while Morris Peterson chipped in 12 points.

With the Rockets already ahead by nine at the start of the fourth quarter, McGrady hit back-to-back jumpers, and Luther Head drained a three to begin the stanza. The mini-run gave Houston an 88-72 advantage, which proved to be enough to hold New Orleans at bay.

The Hornets didn't fade, but only cut their deficit to single digits a few times the rest of the game. Paul canned a three with 6:52 left to bring New Orleans within 95-86, but Alston came right back with a three of his own.

With just a few minutes remaining, Paul and Chandler each made buckets to cut the Hornets' deficit to eight. But after Paul's jumper with 2:21 left, McGrady drove for a reverse layup, and after Chandler's dunk with 1:53 left, McGrady made another layup.

That shot put the Rockets in front 104-94 with just 1:38 remaining, ensuring Houston of its 18th consecutive victory.

New Orleans led 23-20 after the first quarter, but shortly into the second, Houston reeled off a 20-2 run. McGrady had eight points in the span, and closed it with a three-pointer with 5:55 left to push Houston's lead to 40-28. The Rockets scored 39 points in the quarter, relying mostly on long- range shots, hitting nine threes.

The Hornets didn't shoot poorly, making seven three-pointers, but couldn't keep pace otherwise, and trailed 59-46 at halftime.

A run of seven points in the third quarter helped New Orleans cut into Houston's lead -- Chandler had a pair of buckets, and Paul made a technical free throw and jumper. The surge brought the Hornets within 63-57 less than four minutes into the frame.

But Dikembe Mutombo, on whom the technical was called, answered with a dunk, and two Luis Scola free throws pushed Houston's lead back to double digits. The Rockets were able to keep their margin at more than two possessions, and led 81-72 heading into the fourth quarter.

Game Notes

The only longer streaks in NBA history are the 1999-2000 LA Lakers (19), 1970-71 Milwaukee (20), and 1971-72 Lakers (33)...Houston will attempt to tie the Lakers' 19-game streak Monday, when it hosts New Jersey...The Rockets made 14-of-34 (41.2 percent) from three-point range, while the Hornets made 11- of-21 (52.4)...The teams combined to shoot just 20 free throws...Each team had 11 turnovers.