Rockets fly into San Antonio

This is the second of four meetings between the squads this season. The teams split the previous two contests, as both teams picked up a win on the road. Houston is scheduled to host the Spurs on March 3rd at the Toyota Center.

Houston has lost 17 of its last 18 at San Antonio.

San Antonio enters tonight’s contest on a three-game winning streak. Tim Duncan scored 21 points, pulled down nine rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the Spurs over the Boston Celtics, 93-89, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Duncan ended 7-of-17 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line, while Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both contributed 15 points for the Spurs, who defeated Boston for the 18th straight time. The last time the Celtics beat San Antonio was on January 8, 1997.

The Spurs are 15-7 at home this season. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

The Rockets have dropped three in a row. Allen Iverson scored 36 points and dished out 10 assists, leading a late Denver charge on the way to a 121-113 overtime win for the Nuggets over Houston at the Pepsi Center.

Tracy McGrady returned from a one-game absence due to a sore back and scored 24 points to go along with 10 assists, but the Rockets tied a season-high with their third consecutive defeat. Juwan Howard tallied 21 points and 13 rebounds, while veteran Dikembe Mutombo had 11 points and 13 boards in the loss.

Houston is a respectable 12-11 on the road this season. After tonight’s contest, the Rockets return home for a five-game homestand. They will host Portland, Philadelphia, Seattle, New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Minnesota on the upcoming stand.