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Rockets could be without McGrady against Trail Blazers

Apr 6, 2007 - 5:31 PM Portland (30-44) at Houston (47-28) 8:30 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Houston Rockets hope to have All-Star Tracy McGrady in the lineup Friday when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Averaging 24.0 points per game, McGrady played just six minutes in Houston's 110-99 loss to Golden State on Wednesday. He had missed seven games earlier this season and a handful the previous campaign due to ongoing lower back issues.

"My back has been stiff for about a week now, and it's just getting worse," McGrady said. "(Wednesday) was just one of those days where I felt like I didn't want to risk anything going out on the basketball court." McGrady is questionable for this contest.

Without McGrady, All-Star center Yao Ming managed just nine points against Golden State.

Houston is 1 1/2 games behind Utah (48-26) for fourth place and home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Rookie Brandon Roy scored a season-high 29 points to lead Portland to a 94-89 win over Utah on Wednesday.

Rookie Brandon Roy is coming off one of his best performance of the season as the Blazers ended a four-game slide with a 94-89 win over Utah.