Rockets' Road Run Remains

The Houston Rockets are seemingly transitioning into the New York Giants of the National Basketball Association. No, they haven't just won a championship. No, they haven't defeated arguably the best team in league history. No, they haven't snapped an opponent's 18-game winning streak. OK, so maybe they're nothing like the NFL's Super Bowl winner.

Save for the fact that the Rockets have turned into road warriors (as the Giants have been characterized this season), after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 92-86 on Monday night to extend their winning streak away from the Toyota Center to eight games.

Houston jumped out of the gates to a 10-point lead in the first half, and as the team has been prone to do since the turn of the new year, that lead dwindled away slowly after intermission as the Timberwolves pulled to an 82-82 tie with nearly three minutes remaining in the showdown.

Led by Tracy McGrady's 26 points, seven assists, and six rebounds and two clutch shots in the game's waning moments, Houston was able to leapfrog Portland by mere percentage points in a race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Four of McGrady's teammates chipped in with double digit scoring nights, including a 12 point, 8 assist effort from point guard Rafer Alston. All-Star center Yao Ming contributed 16 points to the loss, but found himself terrorized in the paint for much of the night by Wolves' big man Al Jefferson, who put up 33 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in 39 minutes of action.

The Rockets return home to close out the first half of the season with a four game home stand, starting with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. You know, perhaps its time to consider staying in a hotel near the arena to simulate that winning road experience?

Photo: flickr user jeffbalke