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Playoff-bound Rockets visit contending Clippers

Mar 28, 2007 - 3:51 PM Houston (45-26) at LA Clippers (34-36) 10:00 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets clinched a playoff spot with their last win. Now they are shooting for homecourt advantage in the first round.

The Rockets enter Wednesday's contest with the Los Angeles Clippers 1 1/2 games behind Utah (46-24) for fourth place in the Western Conference.

Houston has won nine of 12 games since the return of All-Star center Yao Ming from a leg fracture. Yao is still rounding back into form after his 31-game layoff.

All-Star Tracy McGrady has taken over the role of distributer since Yao's return, averaging nine assists in the last five games along with 23 points.

The Clippers have won four in a row to open a two-game lead over Golden State (33-39) and New Orleans (32-38) in the battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Elton Brand collected 18 points and 14 rebounds in the Clippers' 111-105 win over Washington on Saturday.

Los Angeles' Corey Maggette is averaging 23 points, seven over his season average, on 61 percent shooting in his last five games.

Houston has taken two of three from the Clippers this season, and 13 of the last 16.