[Cornholio]

Houston Rockets (21-30) @ Los Angeles Clippers (30-19)

Tuesday, February 14, 10:30 p.m.

Staples Center

@

ROCKETS

Alston / Wesley / McGrady / Howard / Yao

CLIPPERS

Cassell / Mobley / Singleton / Brand / Kaman

Rockets.com Preview

The Rockets return to the road Tuesday as they head to Los Angeles for a match-up with the Clippers. Houston (21-30) has won six of its last seven games while Los Angeles (30-19) has lost two of its last three.

Both teams were last in action Sunday as the Rockets used 24 points and eight rebounds by Yao Ming to defeat the New York Knicks 90-83 at Toyota Center. The Clippers lost to the Chicago Bulls 97-91 at Staples Center despite 29 points and 15 rebounds by Elton Brand.

Houston will be looking to avenge a loss earlier in the season to the Clippers at Staples Center. Houston was in the midst of a six-game road trip at the time and lost to L.A. 89-81 on Dec. 17. The Rockets finished the trip 5-1, with the only blemish being the loss to the Clippers.

Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady combined for 51 points in the loss, but Houston was without Rafer Alston.

Alston has shown just how valuable he is recently. Alston is averaging over eight assists a game in February with a season-high 13 dimes coming Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. It comes as no coincidence then that Houston is 6-1 since the calendar changed to February with Alston solidifying himself as the floor general.

However, the biggest test of the month so far will come Tuesday against a Clippers team that shot 49 percent against the Rockets the first time these two teams met. L.A.’s big three of Sam Cassell, Elton Brand, and Cuttino Mobley led the way in the win, scoring 22, 20 and 18 points respectively.

If the Rockets are to avenge the December loss in Tinseltown, they must contain Brand, who will be only one game removed from a 44-point performance Friday against Memphis. Brand is the only player in the NBA to average in the top-10 in both scoring (25.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.4 rpg) this season. If the Clippers are to make the playoffs for only the fourth time in their franchise’s history, it will be because Brand led them there.

The Rockets will be leaning on a big man of their own Tuesday in the person of Yao Ming. Yao was sensational over the weekend against the Jazz and Knicks, shooting 66 percent from the field. Yao scored 22 points on a 9-17 shooting performance the first time out against the Clippers and that was with a left big toe that was only days away from surgery. With a completely healthy Yao and Alston, the Rockets should have a better chance to win Tuesday against one of the better teams in the Western Conference.

[CrackerJack]

hopefully t-mac is feeling better and shooting better, or at least defending up to scratch for us to win. i can foresee chuck hayes taking Elton Brand to the cleaners and Yao working Kaman down low for at least 30 points, 10 dimes from rafer and all starters in double digits, i think we are set

[Demiloy]

Whatever happens, we won't be the winners if Y-Mac shoots 3-20 again.

[CrackerJack]

Originally Posted by Demiloy

Whatever happens, we won't be the winners if Y-Mac shoots 3-20 again.

with a name like that he must a superstar

[Mr. Predictable]

If Brand gets hot early, we can always put Yao on him. I'm more worried about Sam Cassell, our inability to stop penetration from opposing PG's is still a pressing issue.

[Yao Mania]

Been awhile since we played a loaded squad like the Clips (did I just say that? Clips a loaded squad?)

Should be a good test for us, and we NEED T-Mac to recover from his slump. If he's not feeling well, then maybe he should make that extra pass instead of forcing shots and waiting for them to fall again.

The role guys gotta step up again. Cassell/Mobley v.s. Skip/Wes should be a key match-up.

Should be a good close game (unless we suck and get blown out)

[qross1fan]

Clips are a loaded squad just not at the moment. Injury bug has really hit the team with Q. Ross, Maggette and Rebraca out, which may end up meaning that Yaroslav Korolev might actually get some playing time which I'm scared about. Should be a good game none-the-less but I expect the Rox to win even though Clips need it badly.

[Ballscientist]

McGrady sucks? Exception: Don't shoot if he can't.

Clippers 96, Rockets 87

[OneBadLT123]

I have decided to bench tmac on the fantasy team this game...But proove me wrong tmac and yao... If those two get their usual numbers, and rafer gets atleast 10pts 10+ assists, there isnt a reason in the world that we cant win this game

[Rickbarry]

Well I won't predict a score. I want to see the Rockets stay competitive with a playoff team in the west. Hopefully Mcgrady can get out of his slump and Yao can get alot of touches in the second half getting to the line. We'll see though.

[Pasha The Great]

All I want for Valentine's Day is Tracy McGrady's shot back

[sherwin]

if t-mac doesnt come back I'm gonna be upset

[Yao Mania]

Radman just been added to the Clips for Wilcox, but won't affect us this game (I think).