Rockets go for fourth straight win

On Tuesday, Yao Ming posted 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Steve Francis scored 24 points in Houston’s 90-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Maurice Taylor netted 15 points for the Rockets, who won their fifth game in their last seven tries.

Jim Jackson ended with 11 points, while Cuttino Mobley chipped in 10 in the victory.

With just over one minute remaining in regulation, Houston held a four-point advantage at 87-83. Several Clippers attempted shots from beyond the arc in the final minute, but could not find the basket before a Jackson free throw made it 88-83 and Houston held on for the five-point victory.

The Rockets are currently seventh in the Western Conference playoff race, 2 1/2 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies and four games in front of the Denver Nuggets.

Houston, which will be playing the third leg of its stand on Thursday, has won seven of nine and nine of its last 12 games at home and is 23-10 in its gym this season.

New Orleans also comes into tonight’s tilt on a winning note after Baron Davis’ 33 points and 10 rebounds lifted the Hornets to a 95-84 victory over the Miami Heat at New Orleans Arena.

Jamaal Magloire posted 14 points and 17 rebounds while P.J. Brown put up 12 points and 12 boards for New Orleans, which had three players post double- double and won for just the second time in its last six games.

David Wesley added 19 points in the victory.

The Hornets remained locked in a tie with the Milwaukee Bucks for fourth place and home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

New Orleans has dropped five in a row and seven of its last eight on the road and is 13-18 away from home this season.

The Rockets defeated New Orleans earlier in the season and have won two straight, five of seven and six of the last nine meetings. Houston has also been an unfriendly host to the Hornets, who have just three wins in their 15 visits to the Rockets’ gym.