Streaking Rockets host Phoenix

This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between the two squads. The Rockets won the first contest on November 14, 2003 at the Toyota Center, while Phoenix has won the last two games, which were both played at America West Arena.

The Rockets, who have not won six straight since January 13-23, 2000, trail the first-place Timberwolves by six games in the Midwest Division. Houston is in seventh place in the Western Conference playoff race, 1 1/2 games behind sixth-place Memphis.

On Saturday, Jim Jackson scored 20 points and Yao Ming added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 88-80, in front of their home crowd. Cuttino Mobley netted 15 points in the win for Houston.

Jackson has scored in double digits in four straight games. He has averaged 18.5 points in that span.

Houston is 25-10 at home this season.

The Suns come into tonight’s contest on a four-game losing streak. On Saturday, Phoenix lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 113-90, at America West Arena.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 25 points in the losing effort. Joe Johnson added 20 points and Shawn Marion had 19 for the Suns, who have lost 13 of their last 16 games.

Phoenix is a dismal 7-26 on the road this season.

The Rockets have won five of the last nine meetings between the two teams. The Suns have lost three straight at Houston. These two squads have split the last eight meetings at Houston.