Rockets, Suns put winning streaks on the line

This is the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.

Houston wraps up a brief two-game road trip. On Tuesday, Tracy McGrady poured in 28 points and dished off five assists to lead the Rockets over the Los Angeles Clippers, 128-97, at the Staples Center.

Yao Ming added 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win over the Clippers for the surging Rockets, who have won seven of their last eight games overall. Rafer Alston finished with 17 points and 13 assists, while Keith Bogans contributed 18 points and David Wesley netted 16 in the victory.

McGrady and Yao will be in the starting lineup for the Western Conference in Sunday’s All-Star Game, which will be played at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets are 14-14 as the visitor this season. They have won three in a row on the road.

Phoenix plays the first of a three-game homestand. Steve Nash tallied 19 points, pulled down six rebounds and dished off 12 assists to lead the Suns to an easy 116-101 win over the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

Shawn Marion added 21 points and 12 boards in the win over Denver for the Suns, who have won six of their last seven games overall. Raja Bell chipped in with 20 and five assists, while Boris Diaw had 17 points and 10 boards in the victory.

Marion will be a reserve for the West in the All-Star Game, while Nash will be in the starting lineup.

Phoenix, which will play the Boston Celtics on February 22nd and the Charlotte Bobcats on February 25th in the finale of the current stand, is 19-8 as the host this season. The Suns have won two straight at home.

This is the second meeting of the season between the squads. On November 23rd, Marion led six Phoenix players in double figure scoring with 19 points and also pulled down 12 rebounds, as the Suns beat the Houston Rockets, 100-88, at the Toyota Center.

The Suns have won two of three and six of the last eight meetings in this series. Phoenix has won four straight after losing its last three at Houston.