Spurs welcome Rockets to SBC Center

San Antonio has won the last 15 meetings at home in this series. The Rockets, who last won in San Antonio back on March 11, 1997, have also dropped nine of 11 and 13 of the last 16 overall in this matchup.

The Spurs come into tonight’s tilt on a winning note after Manu Ginobili poured in a game-high 24 points and Tim Duncan netted 23 in San Antonio’s 103-79 win over the winless Atlanta Hawks.

Tony Parker was the only other Spur in double figures, finishing with 18 points and eight assists for San Antonio, which has won four of five.

The Spurs, who continue to play without Brent Barry (back) and Michael Finley (groin), will close their homestand on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns. San Antonio is a perfect 3-0 in its arena this season.

Houston also enters tonight’s tilt on a winning note after Tracy McGrady scored 13 of his team-high 25 points in the final quarter, rallying the Rockets to a 94-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

McGrady hit all 13 of his free throw attempts and came up with a couple of huge assists late in the fourth to propel the Rockets to their second victory in three games.

McGrady shot just 6-of-18 from the field, but had eight rebounds and four assists. Yao Ming and Rafer Alston each added 13 points for the Rockets, who trailed by eight points at halftime before rallying.

Houston, which will be closing a five-game road trip tonight, is 2-2 away from home this season.