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Rockets open road trip at slumping Raptors

Jan 2, 2009 - 11:10 AM Houston (21-12) at Toronto (12-20), 7:00 p.m. EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets kick off a five-game road trip on Friday when they visit the Toronto Raptors.

It will be the third road trip already of at least four games for Houston, which is 10-8 away from home this season.

Yao Ming had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Ron Artest added 15 as the Rockets held on for an 85-81 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Tracy McGrady had seven points and 10 assists.

Toronto comes in on a three-game losing streak and has dropped eight of its past 10.

Andrea Bargnani scored 26 points and Chris Bosh had 24 and 11 rebounds but the Raptors were defeated, 114-107, by the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

The teams have split the season series each of the past two seasons.