Rockets continue strong play without Yao

Basketball Betting Lines

02/26/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets (35-20) are a distant 11 games behind the first place Dallas Mavericks in the Southwest Division. However, they are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoff race, four games ahead of the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers.

The Boston Celtics nightmarish season continues on Monday, as they visit the Rockets at the Toyota Center. It is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Celtics are scheduled to host the Rockets on March 7th at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has lost nine of its last 14 at Houston. The teams have split the last six contests in the series.

Houston plays the first of a short two-game homestand against the Celtics. All-Star Tracy McGrady scored 34 points as the Rockets held off the Orlando Magic, 97-93, on Sunday at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Rafer Alston had 20 points in the win over Orlando for the Rockets, who have beaten the Magic in eight of the last nine meetings in the series. Luther Head scored 15 and Shane Battier tallied 14 points for Houston, which has won six of its last nine games overall.

The Rockets continue to play without All-Star center Yao Ming, who leads the Rockets in scoring (25.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg). He suffered a non displaced fracture in a bone under his right knee during a 98-93 loss on December 23rd to the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston is 19-9 without Yao, who is expected to return in mid-to-late March.

Houston is an impressive 20-7 at home this season. The Rockets are scheduled to host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. It will be the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. Toronto will host the Rockets on March 16th at Air Canada Centre.

McGrady has been excellent while Yao has been sidelined with his injury. The 6-8 McGrady is averaging 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and a team-best 6.1 assists this season. He has scored more than 30 points in three straight games and has posted 27.7 points per contest in his last 10 outings.

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How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.