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McGrady, Rockets battle for playoff positioning, face Clippers

Apr 6, 2008 - 2:19 PM Houston (51-25) at La Clippers (23-53) 9:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Despite playing in the tough Western Conference, Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets can match their impressive win total from last season.

McGrady and the Rockets aim for their third straight win when they take on the lowly Los Angeles on Sunday.

Houston dispatched the Seattle SuperSonics, 79-66, moving within one win of matching their victory total from last season.

Winners of two straight, Houston is tied with Phoenix (51-25) for the fourth best record in the West and will try to increase its five-game road winning streak against Los Angeles.

The Clippers, who have lost 12 of 14, have welcomed back Elton Brand back into the fold. The 6-8, 240-pound power forward missed his first 74 games rehabilitating a ruptured left Achilles' tendon before returning two games ago. He scored 19 points in his first game back before following that with 15 and nine rebounds in a 110-98 loss to Sacramento on Thursday.