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Rockets seek 17th straight win

Mar 6, 2008 - 1:37 PM Houston (40-20) at Dallas (39-22) 9:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) - Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets will look to continue their impressive win streak Thursday when they visit the Dallas Mavericks.

Houston registered its franchise-record 16th consecutive win with Wednesday's convincing 117-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

"We are having some regular-season success right now, but we know the big picture is getting it done in the postseason," Houston guard Rafer Alston said.

McGrady poured in 25 points and Alston chipped in 21 for the Rockets, who have won their last seven games by at least 10 points - also a franchise best.

Houston will have the luxury of facing a Dallas team that will be without All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who will serve a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul against Utah's Andrei Kirilenko on Tuesday.

Dallas hopes Nowitzki's absence can be offset by their recent success at home - the Mavericks have won 12 straight here, with their last loss coming back on December 27.

The Mavericks are also seeking their first season sweep of the Rockets, who have dropped the past six meetings in the series and 11 of 12 overall.

In the last matchup between both clubs here, Jason Terry came off the bench to score 31 points to lead Dallas to a 107-98 victory on November 5.