New Orleans (1-1) at Houston (1-0), 8:30 pm EST
HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets try to open their season
with consecutive wins for the first time in four years Saturday
when they host the New Orleans Hornets at the Toyota Center.
Expected to be one of the primary contenders in the Western
Conference, Houston got its season off to a good start Wednesday
with a 98-89 triumph over Sacramento.
All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming scored 23 and 22 points,
respectively, and Brent Barry provided a major boost off the
bench with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
Houston won despite poor efforts from Juwan Howard, who missed
all nine of his shots, and newcomer Rafer Alston, who made just
3-of-9 shots for eight points.
The Hornets also opened their season with a victory against
Sacramento. However, the team - which won only 18 games last
season - lost at Cleveland, 109-87, on Wednesday.
Speedy Claxton scored a team-high 16 points and second-year
swingman J.R. Smith added 15 for the Hornets, who surrendered 66
points in the first half and allowed the Cavaliers to shoot 54
percent for the game.
The Hornets dropped three of four meetings against the Rockets
last season.
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McGrady, Rockets go for first 2-0 start in four years
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