Houston Rockets Team Report - November 27

(Basketball News) - The Houston Rockets will return home this evening, as they host the Denver Nuggets at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets were handed a loss on Friday night, as they were dealt a 90-80 setback by the Utah Jazz. Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals to pace Utah at the Delta Center.

Jim Jackson had 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals to lead the way for the Rockets. Tracy McGrady added 17 points for Houston, while center Yao Ming had just nine points and four rebounds and was not a factor.

Charlie Ward returned to the lineup for the Rockets after missing Tuesday’s loss to the Kings with a sore right knee.

This is the first meeting of the season between Denver and the Rockets. The teams split four matchups last season, but Houston has won six of eight and seven of the last 10 contests. The Nuggets have dropped six straight in Houston and haven’t won there since a 100-99 victory on April 10, 2001.

Tonight’s game will mark Houston center Dikembe Mutombo’s first game as a Rocket against the Nuggets. Mutombo played for Denver from 1991-96 and is the franchise’s all-time leader in blocked shots (1,486).