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Red-hot Rockets aim for 20th straight win

Mar 12, 2008 - 2:19 PM Houston (43-20) at Atlanta (26-37) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday attempting to become the fourth team in NBA history to win 20 consecutive games.

The three other teams in league history that won at least 19 in a row - the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks and the 1999-2000 Lakers - all went on to win the NBA championship that season.

"It's impressive and we keep on winning games," said Houston guard Rafer Alston, who is averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 assists during the streak. "It's fantastic to have your name mentioned and your team mentioned with some of the best teams, some of the best players to ever play the game. It says a lot about our ballclub."

The Rockets have won 10 consecutive games by at least 10 points and can establish a team record if they repeat the feat Wednesday. The record winning streak has pushed Houston into a race with the Lakers and defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference.

Tracy McGrady is averaging 24.9 points for the Rockets, who are 7-0 since losing All-Star center Yao Ming to a season-ending foot injury. Houston has not given up more than 100 points in 17 consecutive games.

The Hawks come in having lost four of the last five games, allowing an average of 115.2 points. The Rockets have lost three straight road games against Atlanta.