Clippers and Rockets Game Preview: LA Clippers (20-43) at Houston (32-30) 8:30 pm EST HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets try to post their first three-game winning streak in nearly two months when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Compaq Center on Wednesday. The Rockets have not won three in a row since a four-game winning streak from January 11-17. On Saturday, Houston defeated New Jersey, 83-71, behind a superlative defensive performance. The Rockets limited the Nets to just 24 points in the first half - the Rockets' best defensive half in franchise history - and 36 percent shooting overall. Cuttino Mobley scored 18 points, Steve Francis 17 and rookie Yao Ming 12 with 10 rebounds in the win. Houston is one-half game behind Phoenix for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. The Clippers have lost nine of 10 and fell to 1-3 on their season-high six-game road trip with a 95-86 setback at Atlanta on Monday. Corey Maggette scored 14 points in the first quarter but managed just five the rest of the game after spraining an ankle. The Clippers are just 1-4 under interim coach Dennis Johnson. Los Angeles has won a franchise-record five straight games over Houston, including the first two meetings this season. The Clippers won here on December 14, 94-85. I like both these teams, so may the best one win!
