Rockets host hapless Grizzlies

Houston has won two in a row and opened the homestand with Friday’s 94-68 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Tracy McGrady poured in 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting to lead the Rockets, who are 9-3 at home this season. McGrady is probable for Sunday with an injured thumb.

Juwan Howard had a season-high 17 points, tied a season high with 13 rebounds and added five assists for Houston. Rafer Alston added 12 points and Luther Head contributed 11 off the bench in the win.

The Rockets will also host Seattle and Utah on the stand.

Meanwhile, Memphis ended a five-game losing streak with Saturday’s 110-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors at FedEx Forum.

Mike Miller scored 27 points, Pau Gasol scored 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and Tony Barone won his first game as an NBA head coach for the Grizzlies.

This was Barone’s first game as interim head coach after Mike Fratello was fired Thursday. Memphis is now 7-24 on the season, and had lost five straight and 14 of 16 coming into Saturday’s game.

After Sunday’s road game Memphis will open a five-game homestand versus Golden State, Boston, San Antonio, the LA Lakers and Minnesota.

The Grizzlies are 2-15 on the road this season and have dropped six straight away from Memphis.

Houston is 2-0 against the Grizzlies this season, but Memphis has won five of eight and six of the last 11 meetings. Memphis, though, has dropped four of six and nine of its last 13 trips to Houston.