Nets aim to tangle Rockets at Toyota Center

This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 12th, Tracy McGrady scored a game-high 35 points, including 30 in the second half, as the Rockets knocked off the Nets, 99-91, at Continental Airlines Arena.

McGrady will not be a participant in tonight’s contest and could be sidelined for up to five weeks because of a back injury. The All-Star forward is averaging a team-best 24.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

The Rockets have won three straight meetings in this series. New Jersey has lost two of three and 12 of its last 14 at Houston.

New Jersey will attempt to win its second straight contest this evening. On Sunday, All-Star Vince Carter scored a game-high 27 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists for the Nets, who defeated the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 95-84, at the Ford Center.

Jason Kidd finished with 15 points, 12 boards, and nine assists, Richard Jefferson netted 19 and Nenad Krstic contributed 17 points and eight rebounds in the win over the Hornets for the Nets, who have defeated the Hornets six consecutive times.

The Nets are 14-19 as the visitor this season. After tonight’s game, the Nets return to East Rutherford for a three-game homestand. They will play Portland the Lakers and Dallas on the upcoming stand.

Houston tries to get back on the winning track as it plays the opener of a four-game homestand. On Sunday, Tim Duncan ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs over the Rockets, 88-81, at the AT&T Center.

Yao Ming had 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the loss to San Antonio for the Rockets, who had a four-game winning streak halted. Rafer Alston ended with 15 points for Houston, which scored just 11 third-quarter points.

The Rockets are just 13-18 at the host this season. They will also play Dallas, San Antonio and the Clippers on the current stand. Houston has won three in a row at the Toyota Center.