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Rockets face Warriors, look to end two-game slide

Mar 21, 2008 - 2:27 PM Houston (46-22) at Golden State (42-25) 10:30 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- After a 22-game winning streak, the Houston Rockets look to snap a two-game skid Friday when they visit the Golden State Warriors.

The Rockets began the streak with a 111-107 victory over the Warriors on January 29. Houston's unbeaten run became the second-longest in league history, only behind a 33-game streak from the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1971-72 season.

But the Rockets have struggled over their last two contests, dropping a 94-74 decision to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and suffering a 90-69 loss at New Orleans the following day.

"This is a time where we really need to be mentally tough and focused going into every game," Houston All-Star Tracy McGrady said. "We're on a two-game slide, so we gotta get ourselves together. It's getting harder every game."

The Warriors, the highest-scoring team in the league, have won nine of their last 12 games to move into eighth place in the Western Conference.

Golden State leads Denver by 2 1/2 games and plays its next eight games against current playoff teams in the West.

"This stretch is going to dictate our season," Warriors guard Baron Davis said. "We've got to hit our mark and really take care of business and prove that we belong."

Golden State leads the season series with Houston, 2-1. McGrady sat out the Rockets' last two game against the Warriors due to injuries.