Raptors 97 - 107 Rockets
Final
  for this game

Surging Rockets set to face Raptors

Mar 3, 2009 - 11:46 AM Toronto (23-38) at Houston (38-22) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets have not suffered at all since losing Tracy McGrady.

The Rockets will be looking for their eighth win in their last nine games when they face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

McGrady was lost for the season due to microfracture surgery and has played only 35 of 60 games this season. Houston's latest surge coincides directly with when McGrady left the lineup on February 11.

The Rockets' success without one of their highest-paid players should not come as a shock. The team has gotten used to playing without him while he has missed an average of 21 games over the past three years.

Yao Ming has picked up his play of late, recording four double-doubles in the past eight games and averaging over 20.0 points.

The Raptors have struggled to an 11-22 record on the road this season and have lost three straight away from home.

They are coming off a 109-98 loss at Dallas on Sunday in which they shot just 37 percent and were outrebounded, 57-45.






Related News