Celtics wrap up road trip in Houston

Boston plays the finale of a five-game road trip and has dropped all four contests on the swing. Derek Fisher ended with 21 points on 8-of-11 from the field to lead the Utah Jazz to a 105-87 victory over the Celtics on Saturday at EnergySolutions Arena.

Paul Pierce ended with 19 points on just 5-of-18 from the floor in the loss to Utah for the Celtics, who have dropped four in a row and 22 of their last 23 games overall. Delonte West scored 16 and dished out six assists in defeat.

The Celtics are 8-21 on the road this season. They have dropped 12 in a row as the visitor. Boston’s last victory on the road was on January 5th against Memphis.

Boston returns home to host the New York Knicks on Wednesday at TD Banknorth Garden.

Houston plays the first of a short two-game homestand. All-Star Tracy McGrady scored 34 points as the Rockets held off the Orlando Magic, 97-93, on Sunday at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Rafer Alston had 20 points in the win over Orlando for the Rockets, who have beaten the Magic in eight of the last nine meetings in the series. Luther Head scored 15 and Shane Battier tallied 14 points for Houston, which has won six of its last nine games overall.

The Rockets continue to play without All-Star center Yao Ming, who leads the Rockets in scoring (25.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg). He suffered a non displaced fracture in a bone under his right knee during a 98-93 loss on December 23rd to the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston is 19-9 without Yao, who is expected to return in mid-to-late March.

Houston is an impressive 20-7 at home this season. The Rockets are scheduled to host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Celtics are scheduled to host the Rockets on March 7th at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has lost nine of its last 14 at Houston. The teams have split the last six contests in the series.