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Blazing Rockets go for 12th straight victory vs. Bulls

Feb 24, 2008 - 6:48 PM Chicago (22-32) at Houston (35-20) 8:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets are making their presence felt in the Western Conference playoff race. They will be seeking their 12 consecutive win Sunday when they host the Chicago Bulls.

The Rockets' recent surge has lifted them into seventh place in the West, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Denver Nuggets (33-21) in eighth and one game behind the Dallas Mavericks (36-19) for the sixth spot.

Four different players have led Houston in scoring during their streak, with All-Star center Yao Ming leading the way five times.

Yao scored 28 points and pulled down 14 rebounds Friday, but it was Tracy McGrady leading the way with 34 points as the Rockets downed the New Orleans Hornets, 100-80.

The new-look Bulls had just eight players take the floor Friday after trading away Ben Wallace and Joe Smith at the deadline Thursday and bringing in Shannon Brown, Larry Hughes, Cedric Simmons and Drew Gooden from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With none of the new acquisitions suiting up, Chicago beat Denver, 135-121 - putting up its highest point total of the season. Ben Gordon led with 37 points as seven players reached double figures.

Houston won the first meeting between the teams this season, 116-98, on December 22. McGrady scored 20 points and dished out eight assists in the victory.