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Rockets look to stay afloat sans McGrady as they visit Nuggets

Nov 30, 2008 - 7:46 AM Houston (11-6) at Denver (11-6), 8:00pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets will try to win their second straight game without All-Star Tracy McGrady on Sunday as they visit the Denver Nuggets.

McGrady has been experiencing soreness in his left knee - on which he had minor surgery during the offseason - that has kept him sidelined for the last two games. They didn't need him on Saturday when McGrady's replacement, little-used reserve Luther Head, broke out with 21 points to lead Houston to a 103-84 rout of the rival San Antonio Spurs.

The Rockets, who have won four of five, continue to handle teams with their suffocating defense - which has been their M.O. for years. They are holding opponents to just over 90 points per contest - the best mark in the NBA. Because of that, they have been able to survive injuries to McGrady - who hasn't been at full strength all season - and defensive specialist Shane Battier, who just returned this week after recovering from offseason foot surgery.

In McGrady's expected absence against Denver, they will naturally have to rely on leading scorer Yao Ming. The 7-6 center dominated the Nuggets in two appearances last season, averaging 24.0 points and 16.0 rebounds in those games.

The Nuggets are coming off a 106-97 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Chauncey Billups scored 27 points and Carmelo Anthony added 25 and 10 boards to pace Denver, which won for the seventh time in nine games.