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Status of McGrady unknown, Rockets take on Mavericks

Nov 19, 2008 - 11:23 AM Dallas (3-7) at Houston (7-4) 8:00 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- After going on a historic run last season without one of its All-Stars, the Houston Rockets may have to add to another run without Tracy McGrady.

With or without McGrady, Houston goes for its third consecutive win when it faces the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

In his fifth year with Houston, the 6-8 swingman left in the third quarter of Monday's 100-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder with an injury to his surgically repaired left knee. McGrady, 29, has had a history of knee problems and had surgery to remove loose material in it last offseason.

Without center Yao Ming last season, the Rockets ripped off a franchise-record 22-game winning streak. Houston will rely on Yao and offseason aquisition Ron Artest if McGrady is forced to miss significant time.

Yao had 30 points and Artest added 29 as Houston captured a 112-102 win in the first meeting between the teams.

Dallas got off to an ugly start but has won consecutive games and will look to finish off a perfect three-game road trip.

Dirk Nowitzki has caught fire, averaging 27.7 points a game over his last three while shooting 50 percent from the field (31-of-62).