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Rockets go for 14th consecutive victory

Feb 29, 2008 - 3:24 PM Memphis (14-43) at Houston (37-20) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The absence of Yao Ming did not slow down the red-hot Houston Rockets in their last game. Houston hopes that continues on Friday.

With their All-Star center out for the season due to a stress fracture in his left foot, the Rockets go for their 14th straight victory Friday when they host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.

The winning streak is the longest for Houston since winning 15 straight during the 1993-94 season.

The run has also vaulted the Rockets into seventh place in the Western Conference - three games behind the top spot but only three games ahead of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets (34-23), which means their playoff chances are far from secure.

"Everybody is really counting us out, which is cool, but we have to keep believing," Houston guard Tracy McGrady said. "If we play hard and if we continue to play defense and believe, then we really control it ourselves."

The Rockets cruised past Washington, 94-69, on Tuesday after building a 51-23 advantage at the break. Luther Head led five players in double figures with 18 points.

The Grizzlies have struggled mightily of late, losing six straight contests and 12 of 13.

Memphis was defeated, 127-113, by Phoenix on Tuesday despite a career-high 36 points from Rudy Gay. The second-year pro has averaged just 13.3 points over the three games against Houston this season, with Memphis losing the last two.