• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rockets look to stay hot against Trail Blazers

Feb 24, 2009 - 11:20 AM Portland (35-20) at Houston (35-21) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets have once against adapted to life without Tracy McGrady just fine.

Winners of four in a row, the Rockets look to go 5-for-5 in their latest stint without McGrady when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Toyota Center on Tuesday.

Since McGrady announced he will miss the rest of the season to undergo microfracture surgery on his ailing left knee, Houston has not lost in four games. The Rockets cruised to a 99-78 win over Charlotte Sunday without the seven-time All-Star.

Ron Artest netted 26 points and Yao Ming added 19 points and seven rebounds to lift Houston to another home win. It is now 22-6 at home and have won seven straight there.

Aaron Brooks had seven points and three assists in his second straight since replacing Rafer Alston at the point guard position. Alston was dealt to Orlando in a three-team deal prior to last Thursday's trading deadline.

Portland is also coming off an easy win after blasting the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-87, Saturday behind a historic performance by Steve Blake.

The guard tied an NBA record with 14 assists in the first quarter, a mark first set by John Lucas of San Antonio in the second quarter of a April 15, 1984 matchup with Denver.

LaMarcus Aldridge had a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who will be in search of their fourth straight win.