Can the Rockets win 18 straight against the Hornets?

I knew it, Yao Ming was only slowing this team down.

I guess that's a bold statement at this point of the 2007-08 NBA basketball season eh? Say what you must, but Houston just keeps on winning games without their rather ''soft'' center playing.

Hell, the Houston Rockets haven't lost a game since January 27 and just last Thursday, they just pounded another powerhouse team from the West, this time the Dallas Mavericks, for their 17th straight win. That's their best winning streak in franchise history.

Houston Rockets star, Tracy McGrady, dropped 31 points to go with his nine assists while Skip to My Lou, (that's Rafer Alston for the rest of you...) added 24 points to beat the Dallas Mavericks, 113-98.

Josh Howard scored 21 points for the Dallas Mavericks while ''the Jet'' (yes, that moniker is ridiculous...) Jason Terry added 17. Dallas has now lost three straight, losing four of their last five games ALL with new acquisition Jason Kidd.

Hmm...

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki didn't play, serving a one-game suspension for his flagrant foul on Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko. But I reckon we'd still see the same result even if the seven-foot German did play. Yes, the Rockets are THAT hot at this point of the season.

The 17-game winning streak the Houston Rockets now own is tied for 7th place among the best winning streaks in NBA history. On Saturday, these Rockets will go for their 18th straight win against the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans, Louisiana.

If the Rockets win that one, their winning streak will extend to 18 games and will be tied for 4th place among the best NBA winning streaks EVER.

Crazy huh? And to think these guys were 24-20 before this rather mad dash to the playoffs. The Rockets, with this crazy streak, are now 41-20. WOW.

Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.

San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350

Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300

Boston Celtics EVEN +450

Detroit Pistons EVEN +1,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Houston Rockets New Orleans Hornets