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Rockets go for eighth win in nine games vs. Nuggets

Jan 12, 2007 - 3:14 PM Houston (23-13) at Denver (17-16) 10:30 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) - Dikembe Mutombo has been given an opportunity to prove life begins at age 40.

Mutombo again tries to be a defensive force for the Houston Rockets, who try to win for the eighth time in nine games with Friday's contest against the Denver Nuggets.

A four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mutombo has made the most of his recent increase in playing time after Yao Ming's leg injury. The 16-year veteran is averaging 14.3 rebounds in his last eight games.

Mutombo tied a season high with 19 rebounds and blocked five shots for Houston in Wednesday's 102-77 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He moved past Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second place in career blocks (3,191) and trails Hakeem Olajuwon.

Juwan Howard scored 23 points, Rafer Alston added 20 and Tracy McGrady collected 12 assists for the Rockets, who allow a league-low 89.6 points.

Although they are third in the league in points (104.1), the Nuggets have lost six of their last seven and are 3-7 since acquiring Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Denver is coming off Wednesday's 92-83 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Iverson made 15-of-25 shots to score 33 points, Earl Boykins added 18 and Marcus Camby grabbed 16 rebounds for the Nuggets.

On Thursday, Denver dealt Boykins and Julius Hodge to the Milwaukee Bucks for Steve Blake, who has averaged 3.6 points and 2.5 assists in 33 contests this season.