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Rockets hope to stay hot vs. Heat

Feb 21, 2008 - 1:02 PM Miami (9-42) at Houston (33-20) 8:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Houston Rockets are gunning for a playoff spot and their 10th straight win while the Miami Heat are simply trying to avoid further embarrassment.

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet Thursday when the Rockets host the dismal Heat.

The Rockets continued their winning ways on Tuesday, picking up their ninth straight victory with a 93-85 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rafer Alston scored 22 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead Houston.

Despite the recent surge, the Rockets still find themselves in fourth place in the tightly contested Southwest Division, four games behind the surprising first place New Orleans Hornets.

But, Houston's record is currently good enough to keep them in a tie for seventh in the Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, the Heat have fallen to the bottom of the NBA standings with nine straight losses and have won just one game since Christmas - a span of 25 contests.

All-Star Dwyane Wade had 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Heat suffered a 99-92 setback to the Chicago Bulls on February 14.