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Rockets aim to halt streaking Suns

Mar 22, 2008 - 2:02 PM Houston (47-22) at Phoenix (46-22) 10:00 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets entered this week as the NBA's hottest team - a title that now belongs to the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns shoot for their seventh straight win Saturday when they host the Rockets.

Houston won its 22nd straight contest with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday, extending the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.

But the Rockets suffered consecutive blowout losses to Boston and New Orleans on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

However, the Rockets bounced back with a gritty 109-106 road victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Tracy McGrady rebounded from two subpar performances to post 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the win.

The Rockets get a small break next week with home games against Sacramento and Minnesota but must first deal with the streaking Suns, who have seemingly found their bearings since starting 3-6 while working Shaquille O'Neal into the lineup.

With a win on Saturday, Phoenix could overtake Houston for sole possession of third place in the Western Conference playoff race.

Phoenix overcame a season-high 27 turnovers in Wednesday's 110-98 win over the Seattle SuperSonics by hitting 71 percent (15-of-21) from the arc.

However, the Suns may be without one of their sharpshooters who contributed to that effort, Raja Bell, who left with a sprained ankle in the third quarter and did not return.

Bell is considered doubtful for Saturday's game.