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Heat continue road trip against shorthanded Rockets

Jan 17, 2009 - 11:23 AM Miami (21-17) at Houston (24-16) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat have two more nights to go on their longest road trip of the season.

After two days off, they kick off that last push on Saturday with a visit to Houston to take on the Rockets.

So far, the Heat have put together a respectable 3-2 record on the trip, with remaining meetings against Houston and the Oklahoma City Thunder before they begin a four-game homestand. For this one, they will try to avoid a season sweep by the Rockets, who defeated them on their home floor in a November 24 showdown.

Houston overcame a porous effort from All-Star Tracy McGrady, as Yao Ming posted 28 points and 12 boards to lead the team to a 107-98 victory.

Of course, McGrady won't even be available this time around, as he remains out with a sore left knee that has hobbled him the entire season. The Rockets are 7-5 without him in the lineup this season.

The team suffered a tough defeat on Tuesday, blowing a fourth-quarter lead against the high-powered Lakers in a 105-100 setback that snapped a three-game winning streak. Reserve swingman Von Wafer - who started in McGrady's place - did an admirable job, pouring in 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting, while Yao added 19 and 17 boards.