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Rockets seek revenge, 4-0 starts vs. Celtics

Nov 4, 2008 - 3:59 PM Boston (2-1) at Houston (3-0), 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets can get off to their best start in 12 years with a win Tuesday. But they will have to do so against the Boston Celtics, who snapped Houston's record run last season.

The Rockets shoot for their first 4-0 start since the 1996-97 campaign Tuesday when they host the defending champion Celtics.

Houston was the talk of the league last season when it ripped off an astounding 22-game winning streak - 10 of which came after center Yao Ming suffered a season-ending foot injury.

The second-longest winning streak in NBA history came to an end at the hands of the Celtics, who beat the shorthanded Rockets, 94-74, on March 18.

Tracy McGrady scored 22 points, Yao added 16 and the Rockets shot 27-of-31 from the free throw line in a 89-77 win over Oklahoma City on Saturday.

The Celtics have to be eager to get back on the court after shooting 35 percent from the floor in a 95-79 loss to Indiana on Saturday. NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce will look to rebound from a 3-for-15 performance.

It was a rare double-digit loss for Boston, which lost just three games by 10 points or more last season.