In the News

Miami Heat suspend Rafer Alston for remainder of season
Rafer Alston's season with the Miami Heat is officially over.

Miami Heat: Still no word from suspended guard Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston still has not made contact with the Miami Heat to explain his disappearance from the team, and coach Erik Spoelstra is denying the guard's claim that he was going to be permanently benched before leaving last week.

Rafer Alston says he's happy with decision to leave Miami Heat for family reasons
Rafer Alston is content with his decision to leave the Heat, because it wasn't about losing his starting job.

Suspended point guard Rafer Alston still hasn't contacted Miami Heat
Suspended Heat point guard Rafer Alston still hasn't contacted the team.

Miami Heat prepared to move forward without Rafer Alston
The Miami Heat practiced again Monday without suspended point guard Rafer Alston, whose tenure with the club appears to be over.

Miami Heat guard Rafer Alston suspended from team indefinitely
Miami Heat guard Rafer Alston, who did not attend Miami's home victory over Atlanta on Saturday night, is considering retirement, according to sources close to the situation.

Heat suspend PG Alston indefinitely (AP)
Rafer Alston's future with the Miami Heat is in serious doubt. The 11th-year point guard has been suspended by the team, which made the announcement about two hours after beating Atlanta on Saturday night. Alston was not at the arena for the game, with the Heat saying he was inactive for personal reasons and coach Erik Spoelstra only saying more details would likely be released Sunday.

Beasley's 30 lift Wade-less Heat in 2OT (AP)

Michael Beasley scored a career-high with 30 points and the short-handed Miami Heat won their season-best fifth straight by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 100-87 in double overtime on Friday night. The Heat, playing without Dwyane Wade and Rafer Alston, blew an 18-point lead in regulation than pulled away in the second overtime behind Udonis Haslem, who scored eight points in the final five...

Scoring binge puts Durant in MVP company (AP)

One by one, Kevin Durant has been taking the NBA's biggest names and scoring his way right on past them. First Kobe. Then LeBron. Next up, Carmelo. With a spree that began just before Christmas, Durant has climbed into a virtual tie with Denver's Carmelo Anthony for first place in the NBA scoring race.

Wade leads Heat to 92-65 rout of Pistons (AP)

Dwyane Wade scored 22 points and Jermaine O'Neal added a double-double as the Miami Heat routed the Detroit Pistons 92-65 Friday night. Heat forward Michael Beasley missed his first game of the season with a hyperextended right knee, and Miami got another scare when O'Neal went down with a knee injury in the first minute.

Heat roll past freefalling Kings 115-84 (AP)

Someday, the Miami Heat will play another close game. For now, they'll savor the easy ones. Dwyane Wade had 27 points and eight assists before sitting out the fourth quarter, Michael Beasley added 21 points and 13 rebounds and a bizarre week of blowouts for the Heat continued with a 115-84 victory over the freefalling Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Wade's 32 help Heat rout Wizards 112-88 (AP)

Dwyane Wade scored 32 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 112-88 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Two nights after the Heat were roasted by coach Erik Spoelstra after Wednesday's 39-point loss in Charlotte, they began the second half of their season with a flourish. Wade, who earlier this season had two of this three 40-point performances against the Wizards, was 12 for 19 from...

Wade scores 37 as Heat defeat Rockets (AP)

Dwyane Wade scored 37 points, his second consecutive big game since spraining his wrist, and the Miami Heat beat the Houston Rockets 115-106 on Friday night. Rafer Alston had 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting against his former team and Jermaine O'Neal added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Heat, who snapped Houston's eight-game home winning streak.

Former Orlando Magic guard Rafer Alston signs with Heat
Rafer Alston got his wish, signing with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season and getting the chance to play alongside Dwyane Wade again.

Heat sign PG Alston for rest of season (AP)
Rafer Alston got his wish, signing with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season and getting the chance to play alongside Dwyane Wade again. The 33-year-old point guard cleared waivers at 6 p.m. Thursday, and the Heat announced the signing about an hour later. Alston will be with the team when it opens a six-game road trip Friday in Phoenix.

Heat send Quinn to Nets, may eye Alston (AP)
The Miami Heat traded point guard Chris Quinn to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday, a move that could be a precursor to Rafer Alston's return to South Florida. Alston agreed to a buyout agreement with the Nets earlier Tuesday, and two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the guard is hoping to sign with the Heat later this week.

Nets, G Alston reach buyout agreement (AP)
The struggling New Jersey Nets reached a buyout agreement with Rafer Alston on Tuesday and waived the 33-year-old point guard. Alston was in the final year of a contract that was to pay him $5.2 million this season. The two sides did not disclose the buyout payment. Alston averaged 9.7 points and 3.9 assists in 27 games, including 13 starts.

Sources: Miami Heat to trade Chris Quinn, go after Rafer Alston
The Miami Heat have reached an agreement to trade guard Chris Quinn to the New Jersey Nets to create a roster spot and reduce their luxury-tax bill slightly before trying to re-sign the NBA's newest free agent: Rafer Alston.

Hawks ride Johnson, rout Nets 130-107 (AP)

Maurice Evans scored 22 points, and Joe Johnson added 21 points and 10 assists to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the New Jersey Nets 130-107 on Sunday for their fourth straight win. Devin Harris, who started despite a sprained left pinky finger, scored 23 points for the Nets, who allowed a season high in points in their third consecutive loss -- dropping the NBA's worst record to 2-22.

0-16 Nets 1 loss shy of worst NBA start (AP)

The New Jersey Nets dropped their 16th straight game to open the season, moving within one of matching the worst start in NBA history with a 109-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. Rookie Tyreke Evans had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Beno Udrih also scored 21 for Sacramento, which never trailed on its way to winning back-to-back games following a four-game losing streak.

Wade's late 3-pointer keeps Nets winless (AP)

Dwyane Wade's 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left gave the Miami Heat an 81-80 victory over the undermanned and winless New Jersey Nets on Saturday night. Wade's shot was the 17th tie or lead change in the fourth quarter and came after the Nets' Brook Lopez tipped in teammate Rafer Alston's missed runner with 4.1 seconds remaining.

Magic roll 88-72, drop Nets to 0-9 (AP)

Dwight Howard had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes added 13 points and 13 rebounds and the Orlando Magic put away the winless New Jersey Nets 88-72 on Friday night. New Jersey got a triple-double from point guard Rafer Alston, the first triple-double of his career, but the Nets fell to 0-9. They are the NBA's only winless team.

Magic's Carter sidelined with ankle injury
Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter was sidelined against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night with a sprained left ankle. Carter was first injured Friday against New Jersey. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Carter aggravated the ankle again Tuesday night versus Detroit. Carter's status is day to day. The 32-year-old guard was Orlando's biggest free agent splash this summer. The Magic acquired Carter from New Jersey in a trade that sent Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie to the Nets.

Yao's 31 lift Rockets by Nuggets 115-113 (AP)

Yao Ming scored 31 points, Rafer Alston added 18 points and 11 assists and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 115-113 on Monday afternoon. Denver's Kenyon Martin missed two foul shots with 2.6 seconds left, and Yao rebounded to clinch the win. Von Wafer had 18 and Luis Scola 16 for the Rockets, who have won five of their last six games and four of five since Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady...

Yao goes 12-for-12 as Rockets down Heat (AP)

Yao Ming set a Houston record by going 12-for-12 from the field, and finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the Rockets' 93-86 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night. Rafer Alston added a season-high 22 points to help the Rockets improve to 2-1 since Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest were shelved to recover from injuries.

Rockets top Knicks without T-Mac, Artest (AP)

Luis Scola had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Rafer Alston added 17 points and six assists and the undermanned Houston Rockets took advantage of New York's poor shooting to beat the Knicks 96-76 on Saturday night. Aaron Brooks scored 16 points, Von Wafer had 15 and Yao Ming 14 for the Rockets, who played without Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest.

Jamison scores 30, Wizards end road skid (AP)

Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 30 points, Andray Blatche added 16 points and eight rebounds and the Washington Wizards snapped a five-game road losing streak with an 89-87 win over the listless Houston Rockets on Monday night. Jamison also grabbed 12 rebounds and Nick Young added 14 points as the Wizards snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Rockets and won in Houston for the first time...

Week 7 Fantasy Stockwatch
Two Sixers are headed in opposite directions while Rafer Alston and Rajon Rondo are rewarding Fantasy owners from the point guard spot. That and more in Jeff Lippman's latest Fantasy Stockwatch.div class="feedflare" a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=ePVDlX5N"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?d=41" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=GzudyL73"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?i=GzudyL73" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=OVjWeJga"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?i=OVjWeJga" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=UZ5xdr4f"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?d=52" border="0"/img/a /divimg src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news/~4/UqmHy0zKTdo" height="1" width="1"/

Stockwatch: Oden is what he is
Two Sixers are headed in opposite directions while Rafer Alston and Rajon Rondo are rewarding Fantasy owners from the point guard spot. That and more in Jeff Lippman's latest Fantasy Stockwatch.

Stockwatch: Oden is what he is
Two Sixers are headed in opposite directions while Rafer Alston and Rajon Rondo are rewarding Fantasy owners from the point guard spot. That and more in Jeff Lippman's latest Fantasy Stockwatch.

Week 7 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
With Tracy McGrady out (again), it has been Rafer Alston who has stepped up for the Rockets. Sergio Gonzalez sells him to Fantasy owners for the week ahead and more in his weekly Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.div class="feedflare" a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=vElQ8yfA"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?d=41" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=qyvkjwue"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?i=qyvkjwue" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=Snu6SYrd"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?i=Snu6SYrd" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds.sportsline.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?a=IHLbiVdu"img src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~f/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news?d=52" border="0"/img/a /divimg src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cbssportsline/basketball_fantasy_news/~4/oyKgvwVpwGk" height="1" width="1"/

Week 7 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
With Tracy McGrady out (again), it has been Rafer Alston who has stepped up for the Rockets. Sergio Gonzalez sells him to Fantasy owners for the week ahead and more in his weekly Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.

Week 7 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
With Tracy McGrady out (again), it has been Rafer Alston who has stepped up for the Rockets. Sergio Gonzalez sells him to Fantasy owners for the week ahead and more in his weekly Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.

Yao scores 33 as Rockets beat Warriors (AP)

Yao Ming scored 19 of his season-high 33 points in the fourth quarter, and Ron Artest added 28 points to help the Houston Rockets beat Golden State 131-112 on Friday night. Yao also had 14 rebounds and five assists. Rafer Alston and Von Wafer scored 18 points apiece and the Rockets went 13-of-21 from 3-point range to hand the Warriors their eighth straight loss.

Yao, Alston lead Rockets past Clippers (AP)
Yao Ming had 24 points, Rafer Alston sank five 3-pointers and added 21, and the Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-96 on Wednesday night. Ron Artest scored 19 points and Yao grabbed 10 rebounds and went 12-for-13 from the free throw line for the Rockets, who played their fourth straight game without Tracy McGrady.

McGrady-less Rockets beat Spurs 103-84 (AP)

Luther Head scored 21 points in place of the injured Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets used balanced scoring to beat the San Antonio Spurs 103-84 on Saturday night. Ron Artest added 16 points and eight rebounds, Yao Ming and Rafer Alston scored 12 points apiece and Luis Scola added 11 for Houston, which had all five starters in double-figures for just the second time this season.

Rockets complete 3-0 trip, beat Heat (AP)

Yao Ming scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Ron Artest scored 20 and the Houston Rockets finished off a perfect three-game road trip against the Eastern Conference with an 107-98 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night. Rafer Alston added 14 points for Houston, which finished with six players in double figures and outrebounded Miami 51-35.

Rockets-Suns suspensions: Alston, Barnes, Nash
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight.

Nash, Alston, Barnes suspended for fight
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday. Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/453304394" height="1" width="1"/

Nash, Barnes, Alston suspended for fight (AP)
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday.

McGrady, Yao help Rockets move to 3-0 (AP)
Tracy McGrady had 22 points, Yao Ming added 16 and the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 89-77 on Saturday night for their third straight win. Carl Landry had 14 points and a career-high tying 11 rebounds for Houston. Ron Artest, Luis Scola and Rafer Alston added 10 points apiece. Houston wasn't sharp offensively, shooting just 36 percent, but led almost the entire way with excellent...

Alston cleared of drunken driving charge
Rockets guard Rafer Alston was found not guilty Friday on a drunken-driving charge. A Harris County jury cleared the 32-year-old point guard of the misdemeanor, court spokesman Fred King said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Alston was arrested in August after he was pulled over by police who said he made an erratic lane change and was driving without his headlights on. The Rockets open the regular season at home Wednesday against Memphis. Last season, Alston averaged 13.1 points and 5.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/431141821" height="1" width="1"/

Rockets' Alston not guilty on drunk driving charge
Rockets guard Rafer Alston was found not guilty Friday on a drunken-driving charge. A Harris County, Texas, jury cleared the 32-year-old point guard of the misdemeanor, court spokesman Fred King said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Rockets buy supplies for Ike victims (AP)
The Houston Rockets purchased four tractor-trailers full of food, water and toiletries for victims of Hurricane Ike and players unloaded them at a distribution center Thursday. The four trucks carried 80,000 pounds of supplies, said team spokeswoman Tracey Hughes. Forwards Mike Harris and Chuck Hayes and guards Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks and Luther Head carried boxes of food and orange juice.

Rockets' Alston due in court to answer DUI charge
Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is due in court Thursday for arraignment on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.

Rockets' Battier, Alston get some ankle work done
Houston forward Shane Battier and point guard Rafer Alston had minor surgical procedures to repair injuries that occurred late in the season.

Rockets' Battier, Alston have surgery (AP)
Houston forward Shane Battier and point guard Rafer Alston had minor surgical procedures to repair injuries that occurred late in the season. Battier underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle. Alston's surgery repaired ligament and tendon damage in his right ankle. Both procedures were performed Friday.

Rockets G Alston out with ankle injury (AP)
Houston point guard Rafer Alston left Game 6 of the playoffs Friday night against Utah in the second quarter after spraining his right ankle. X-ray results were negative, but the Rockets said the sprain was bad enough that Alston would not play in the second half of a game Houston needed to win to avoid elimination.

McGrady leads Rocket by Jazz 94-92 (AP)

Tracy McGrady snapped out of his fourth-quarter slump and scored seven of his 27 points in the final period, leading Houston to a 94-92 victory over Utah on Thursday night that gave the Rockets life in a series that could have been headed for a sweep. Rafer Alston added 20 points and five assists in his first game in nearly two weeks as Houston avoided falling behind 3-0 in the series by beating...

Alston out at least a week with hamstring injury
Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will miss at least a week with a strained right hamstring. The 6-foot-2 Alston suffered the injury in the Rockets' 111-94 loss to Denver on Sunday. He sat out Monday's loss in Utah. Alston underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday that revealed a moderate to severe strain. The Rockets said he would miss at least a week of playing time. Alston has started 74 of the Rockets' 81 games this season, averaging 13 points and five assists per game.

Rockets' Alston to miss week with hamstring strain
Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will miss at least a week with a strained right hamstring.

Rockets rout Sonics without McGrady (AP)

Rafer Alston scored 18 points and Luis Scola added 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets, playing without Tracy McGrady, easily beat the Seattle SuperSonics 103-80 on Wednesday night. McGrady sat out with a sore left shoulder that's bothered him for more than a week, but the Rockets didn't miss him against the Sonics, who've lost 11 straight road games and 18 of their last 20 games...

Rockets beat Kings, Adelman wins 800th (AP)

Rafer Alston wears the same No. 12 that Rick Adelman wore when he played for the San Diego Rockets nearly 40 years ago. On Monday, Alston helped Adelman get a more significant number -- his 800th career coaching victory. Alston scored 28 points and Tracy McGrady added 17 as the Houston Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 108-100, making Adelman the 13th coach to reach the milestone.

Rockets get back on track, beat Warriors (AP)

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points, Bobby Jackson hit an improbable 3-pointer and the Houston Rockets got back to their winning ways with a 109-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Houston had lost two straight following a 22-game winning streak that was the second longest in NBA history.

Suns' Stoudemire makes 20-of-20 FTs (AP)

Amare Stoudemire scored 38 points, including a franchise-record 20-of-20 on free throws, and the Phoenix Suns won their seventh in a row by beating the Houston Rockets 122-113 on Saturday night. Stoudemire, who also had 13 rebounds and four blocked shots, broke the club record for consecutive free throws in a game of 17, set by Paul Silas against Atlanta on Jan.

Celtics snap Rockets' win streak at 22 (AP)

The shots stopped falling, Boston's stars took over and just like that, the Houston Rockets' 22-game winning streak was history. Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 20 as the Celtics beat the Rockets 94-74 on Tuesday night, stopping Houston's remarkable victory run. The Rockets hadn't lost since a 97-89 defeat to Utah on Jan.

On the Mark: I'm sorry, Mrs. Alston. I was wrong
Playground legends can't lead teams to historic heights, right? Rafer Alston is proving the doubters — and Mark Kriegel — wrong.

Rockets make all the right moves to extend streak
Rafer Alston fueled Houston's 22nd straight win, but Charley Rosen says there were plenty of heroes to go around vs. the Lakers.

Rockets' win streak to 22, beat Lakers (AP)

The Houston Rockets did more than extend their winning streak on Sunday. They validated it. Rafer Alston scored 31 points and hit eight 3-pointers, both career highs, and the Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-92 to extend their winning streak to 22 and claim sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.

Rockets win 17th straight behind McGrady (AP)

Tracy McGrady had 31 points and nine assists and Rafer Alston added a season-high 24 points, helping the Houston Rockets push their franchise-best winning streak to 17 games with a 113-98 victory over the Dirk Nowitzki-less Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Houston's streak is tied for seventh-best in NBA history.

Yao-less Rockets have win streak at 15 (AP)
Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston looked around the Toyota Center when Yao Ming went out with a broken foot and saw nothing but long faces on fans and arena employees. "The atmosphere in the building that day, it felt like there was a funeral going on," he said. "Everybody just thought the season was over." Inside the locker room, the vibe was different.

Rockets win 15th straight, tie club mark (AP)

Tracy McGrady scored 22 points, Shane Battier added 20 and the Houston Rockets tied a franchise record with their 15th straight win, a 103-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. The winning streak is the longest in the NBA this season and matches the longest one in franchise history, reached twice, with the last one coming in their championship season of 1993-94.

Rockets cruise to 14th consecutive win (AP)

The Houston Rockets didn't lose in February. March is likely to be a lot more difficult. Tracy McGrady had 25 points and six assists, and the Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-95 on Friday night to extend their winning streak to 14, the longest in the NBA this season. They are one shy of the longest winning streak in franchise history, reached twice, with the last time coming in their...

Assault charges dropped against Alston
Assault charges were dropped against Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston, who was accused of a slashing a man with a knife in a nightclub. Prosecutors were unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and the assault and attempted assault charges were dropped Friday, the Manhattan district attorney's office said. Alston was arrested Aug. 27, 2007, after a confrontation with Wilbert Ashman of Long Island inside Club Stereo in Manhattan.

Charges dropped against Rockets G Alston (AP)
Assault charges were dropped against Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston, who was accused of a slashing a man with a knife in a nightclub. Prosecutors were unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and the assault and attempted assault charges were dropped Friday, the Manhattan district attorney's office said.

Rockets extend road win streak to 9 (AP)

Shane Battier chuckled before revealing Houston's defensive game plan to stop LeBron James. "Well, we hoped he had a good time in New Orleans," Battier said. It was the Rockets, though, who gave James the headache. Rafer Alston scored 22 points, Yao Ming added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Houston tied a team record Tuesday night with its ninth straight road win, 93-85 over the Cleveland Cavaliers,...

Rockets win eighth in a row on Novak's 3 (AP)

The Houston Rockets enter the All-Star break with an eight-game winning streak thanks to a clutch shot by Steve Novak. Novak hit a 3-pointer, his only field goal of the game, with two seconds left to lead the Rockets to an 89-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Ron Artest had rallied the Kings back from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit and his off-balance jump shot gave them...

Alston, Rockets pick up seventh straight (AP)

The Houston Rockets are riding their longest winning streak in three years -- and that's what it's taken to get them into playoff contention. Yao Ming had 25 points and seven rebounds as the Rockets beat the Trail Blazers 95-83 for their seventh straight win. Rafer Alston scored 13 of his 17 points in the third quarter, when the Rockets began to stretch their lead over the team right behind them in...

Yao lifts Rockets past Cavaliers 92-77 (AP)

Yao Ming had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets overcame a poor night from ailing All-Star Tracy McGrady to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-77 on Thursday night. Rafer Alston had 17 points and nine assists and Shane Battier had 15 points for the Rockets, who've won nine of their last 10.

Yao's 36 points, 8 boards lift Rockets (AP)

Yao Ming scored eight of his 36 points in the final 2 1/2 minutes and had 19 rebounds to help the Houston Rockets hold on to beat the Golden State Warriors 111-107 on Tuesday night. Rafer Alston had 17 points and a season-high 12 assists as the Rockets overcame the absence of Tracy McGrady to win for the fifth time in six games and snap a four-game losing streak to the Warriors.

76ers end 7-game skid, defeat Rockets (AP)

Andre Miller scored 26 points, Samuel Dalembert added 19 points and blocked a shot in the final seconds, and Philadelphia rallied from 16 points down to beat the Houston Rockets 111-107 on Tuesday night. Louis Williams scored 18 and Andre Iguodala had 17 for the Sixers, who snapped a seven-game losing streak and a five-game road skid.

Rockets win after Knicks coach ejected (AP)

Yao Ming scored 36 points, and the Houston Rockets got big final quarters from Rafer Alston and Luis Scola to beat the New York Knicks 101-92 Wednesday night for their season-high fourth straight victory. Alston added 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Rockets, who seized control immediately after Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was ejected in the opening minute of the final quarter when...

Rockets win again without McGrady, 92-84 (AP)

Still unsure when they'll get Tracy McGrady back, the Houston Rockets are doing just fine without him right now. Luther Head's season-high 24 points and Rafer Alston's double-double Tuesday night led Houston past the Washington Wizards 92-84, the Rockets' third consecutive victory. Alston finished with 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Yao Ming scored 21 points for Houston, which is 5-2...

Alston's layup, close call lift Rockets (AP)

Rafer Alston scored 20 points, including the game-winning layup with 4 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets narrowly escaped Orlando with a 96-94 victory over the Magic on Friday night. Orlando appeared to tie the game at 96 with Adonal Foyle's tip-in at the buzzer, but officials said he didn't get the shot off in time.

Yao carries Rockets past Raptors 91-79 (AP)

Yao Ming scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 91-79 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night. Rafer Alston added 18 points, and Bonzi Wells had 13 points and 11 rebounds as Houston won its second straight and third in four games.

Rockets' McGrady, Yao injured in loss (AP)

Richard Hamilton scored 17 points and Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace added double-doubles, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the shorthanded Houston Rockets 94-82 Sunday night. The Rockets started the night near full strength, but their two stars both left with injuries. Tracy McGrady didn't come out for the second half after aggravating a sore knee, while Yao Ming missed most of the second...

McGrady's big 4th quarter lifts Rockets (AP)

Tracy McGrady scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets capitalized on another key injury to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 88-71 victory Monday night. Rafer Alston added 17 points for the Rockets, who have posted back-to-back wins following a six-game losing streak, and have beaten the Clippers four straight times at Staples Center.

Nash leads Suns over depleted Rockets (AP)

Trying to beat the buzzer at the end of the third quarter, Shawn Marion heaved a wild hook shot from the top of the key. The ball rattled around the rim and dropped in. It was that kind of a night for the Phoenix Suns. Marion had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Steve Nash had 19 points and 15 assists and the Suns beat the Houston Rockets 115-105 on Saturday night for their fifth straight win.

Rafer Alston, G - HOU
Skip to my Lou playing well early on Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.

Yao too much for Greece's Panathinaikos
Yao Ming scored 21 points and had eight rebounds to help the Houston Rockets beat Euroleague champion Panathinaikos of Greece 107-70 in an exhibition game Thursday night. The Rockets played without star forward Tracy McGrady, who had a sore left knee. Club officials said he bumped it slightly in practice Wednesday and they decided at game time to hold him out. He's day to day. Rookie Luis Scola scored 17 points while Rafer Alston added 14.