Tracy McGrady scored 19 points in less than three quarters, and the Houston Rockets routed the cold-shooting New Jersey Nets 91-73 on Monday night for their 19th straight victory, matching the third-longest winning streak in NBA history. Houston won its 10th straight game by double digits, tying an NBA record last set by the Nets in 2004. The Rockets also won their 13th straight at the Toyota Center, the franchise's longest home-court streak since the 1985-86 team won 20 consecutive games at The Summit. Most importantly, the Rockets closed within one game of the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers play in Houston on Sunday, but the hype for that showdown can wait. Houston can match the second-longest victory streak in NBA history with a win in Atlanta on Wednesday night. The Milwaukee Bucks won 20 in a row during the 1970-71 season. Celtics 100, 76ers 86: At Philadelphia, Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help Boston down Philadelphia and reach 50 victories for the first time in 16 years. The Celtics opened with a 15-0 run, won their ninth straight game and reached the 50-win mark for the first time since they finished the 1991-92 season 51-31. Andre Miller scored 22 points and Andre Iguodala had 17 for the Sixers, who had an eight-game home winning streak snapped. Cavaliers 88, Trail Blazers 80: At Cleveland, LeBron James had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season, and Cleveland rallied in the second half to beat Portland It is the 17th triple-double of James' career. Joe Smith, playing in place of Ben Wallace, who missed the second half with back spasms, scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half. LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 25 points. Spurs 107, Nuggets 103: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and San Antonio beat Denver in the second meeting between the teams in four days. Tony Parker added 16 points and Manu Ginobili scored 13 and had a career-high 14 assists for the Spurs. Allen Iverson led Denver with 28 points despite a broken finger. J.R. Smith added 22 points and Carmelo Anthony contributed 18. Magic 123, Hawks 112: At Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard had 26 points and 16 rebounds, Hedo Turkoglu had the second triple-double of his career, and Orlando rolled past Atlanta. Mavericks 108, Knicks 79: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points in 22 minutes, then was among four starters who got to take the last quarter off as Dallas polished off a victory over listless New York. __
