Rockets land in Utah

Utah comes into tonight’s game well rested.

Andrei Kirilenko posted 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the Jazz over Milwaukee, 99-90, Friday in front of their home crowd.

Harpring added 18 points and nine boards for the Jazz (7-6), who were able to avoid falling under .500 for the first time this season. Raul Lopez also contributed 18 points off the bench, as Utah improved to 6-1 at home this season.

Utah turned the ball over 19 times against the Bucks, but won the rebounding edge, 37-31.

The Jazz announced on Saturday that point guard Carlos Arroyo could be out up to two weeks due to a sprained ankle.

Arroyo, who is averaging 15.5 points and 6.1 assists since replacing the retired John Stockton, injured his left ankle during Friday’s victory over Milwaukee.

Arroyo became the fifth Puerto Rican in history to play in the NBA when he played for the Toronto Raptors in 2001-02.

Francis posted 19 points and nine assists, as the Rockets rolled to a 105-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center on Monday.

Yao Ming added 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won three of their last four games. Maurice Taylor and Cuttino Mobley chipped in 17 points apiece in the victory.

The Rockets haven’t lost consecutive games this season.

Houston is 4-3 on the road this season.

In 2002-03, the Jazz won three of the four contests with the Rockets. Utah won the first two meetings, which were in Houston, then fell at home to the Rockets, 106-76, before winning the final game 94-73 at the Delta Center on April 9, 2003.

Overall, Utah is 19-7 at the Delta Center against the Rockets, who are just 23-48 in road games against the Jazz.