Rockets welcome Bucks to Toyota Center

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On January 23rd, Tracy McGrady exploded for 41 points and eight rebounds as Houston beat Milwaukee, 97-80, at the Bradley Center.

The Rockets have won two straight and four of the last five meetings in this series. Milwaukee has lost five straight and six of its last seven at Houston.

Houston plays the first of a brief two-game homestand. On Monday, Chucky Atkins had 19 points and the Memphis Grizzlies spoiled the return of Yao Ming with an 86-77 victory over the Rockets at the FedExForum.

Yao returned to the lineup six weeks after undergoing surgery on his left big toe. He hadn’t played since December 17th against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets went 6-15 without the All-Star center in the lineup.

The 7-6 Yao had 15 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes on Monday, but the Rockets still lost their third straight game. McGrady ended with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Houston, while Juwan Howard had 18 points for the Rockets, who fell to 0-3 against the Grizzlies this season.

The Rockets are a dismal 4-15 at the Toyota Center this season. They are scheduled to host Ray Allen and the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday in the finale of the short stand.

Milwaukee plays the second of two-game road trip. David West’s jumper with one-tenth of a second left lifted the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets over the Bucks, 94-93, on Monday at the Ford Center.

Michael Redd had 32 points to lead the Bucks, who had a two-game winning streak halted. T.J. Ford added 16 points and Jamaal Magloire finished with 12 points and nine boards in the loss to the Hornets for Milwaukee,

The Bucks, who have dropped two straight and four of their last five on the road, are 10-12 as the visitor this season.