Rockets try for rare home win with Hornets in town

Houston dropped its fifth straight game at home on Wednesday, as it was on the wrong end of an 88-80 decision to the Sacramento Kings. Juwan Howard had 24 points and 15 rebounds and David Wesley scored 17 points for the Rockets, who have lost four consecutive games overall and have not won at home since beating the Boston Celtics back on December 6.

Rafer Alston contributed 15 points in the loss.

Houston was again without star forward Tracy McGrady, who missed his second straight games since being taken to a hospital with severe back spasms. McGrady, though, like forward Stromile Swift and guard Jon Barry, will be a game-time decision.

The Rockets are 0-10 this season without McGrady, who had gone for more than 30 points in five straight games before leaving Sunday’s tilt with 11 points.

Houston, which will head to Atlanta on Monday, is a dismal 3-11 in its building this season.

The Hornets, meanwhile, come into tonight’s encounter on a winning note after David West scored 19 points and had five steals to lead New Orleans/Oklahoma City to a 90-76 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Rasual Butler added 16 points and six rebounds and Kirk Snyder chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds for the Hornets, who stopped a small two-game slide.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City, which will wrap up a brief two-game road trip in Charlotte on Monday, has dropped four in a row on the road and is 5-12 away from home this season.

Houston has already lost twice this season to the Hornets, but has won nine of 14 and 10 of the last 16 meetings. The Hornets are also just 3-5 in their last eight visits to Houston.