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Rockets try to win season-high sixth straight

Mar 25, 2007 - 3:16 PM Houston (44-25) at New Orleans (31-38) 8:00 pm EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) - The Houston Rockets are finally healthy and on a roll.

The Rockets go for their sixth straight win Sunday against Southwest Division foe New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City.

Houston is just one game behind Utah (45-24) for fourth place in the Western Conference. Although Utah would remain the No. 4 seed in the playoffs by virtue of its division win, a better record would give the Rockets home court advantage for a playoff series for the first time since 1997.

The return of Yao Ming on March 5 after a 31-game absence due to a fractured tibia has sparked Houston to an 8-2 record over the last 10 games. The All-Star center is averaging 24 points and over 53 percent shooting in the Rockets eight wins.

New Orleans is locked in a fight the Los Angeles Clippers (24-36) and Golden State Warriors (33-37) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

The Hornets were victimized Friday by Kobe Bryant's latest 50-point game, falling 111-105. Chris Paul scored 28 points and dished out 12 assists in the loss despite playing through the pain of an injured foot.

New Orleans has won the first two meetings of the season between the teams, holding superstar Tracy McGrady to 14 and 18 points, respectively.