Houston (37-21) has won a season-high six straight games despite playing its entire six-game homestand without McGrady, who will miss the rest of the season following microfracture surgery on his left knee.

The Rockets' run is reminiscent of their success last season following the loss of Yao Ming. The Rockets had already won 12 straight when Yao was shut down for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. They went on to win 10 more without their star center, extending the streak to 22 games - second-longest streak in NBA history.

While Houston remains a long way from matching that run, the Rockets sounded pleased after defeating Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland 93-74 on Thursday night. Yao had 28 points and went 13-for-15 from the field, and Ron Artest and Shane Battier played suffocating defense on LeBron James in Houston's ninth straight home victory.

"It is a big win," Yao said. "We played against one of the best quality teams in this league. That is a really good test for us to see how far we can go."

The Rockets were most proud of their defense. They held Cleveland to season lows in points, field-goal percentage (33.8) and assists (10), and have allowed only 83.7 points per game during their winning streak.

"You may get into the second round (of the playoffs), but if you want to make a serious run and be a serious contender, you've got to be able to continue to play defense," reserve guard Von Wafer said. "We are trying to come together as a unit."

While the Rockets enjoyed a perfect homestand, they haven't played as well on the road, where dropped their last three to fall to 3-9 outside Houston since Dec. 23.

They'll try to snap out of that funk in what will likely be an emotional game at the United Center. This is the Bulls' first home game since Thursday's deaths of team legends Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr.

The Bulls (26-33) didn't use the tragedies within the organization as excuses for their 113-90 road loss to Washington on Friday night.

"I'm speechless right now. To come in here and lose to the Wizards by 23 points, it's inexcusable," said Ben Gordon, who scored 11 points and shot 3-for-14. "I don't know what to say. We didn't do anything well tonight."

They could have a hard time bouncing back against the Rockets, winners of 11 of the teams' last 12 meetings including five straight in Chicago.

Houston took a 107-100 home win over Chicago on Feb. 3, when Yao had 28 points and shot 9-for-12.