This Wenesday the basketball fans will assist to a NBA Basketball Matchup when the Houston Rockets looks to become the third team to win 20 consecutive games when it visits the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

Game: Houston Rockets (43-20) at Atlanta Hawks (26-37)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 12 - 7:00 PM EST
Spread: Atlanta 5½ Total: 197
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The Houston Rockets are pushing their winning streak to 19 games, but Tracy McGrady insists it has no real significance if it's not followed by an extended postseason run.

In NBA history three other teams won at least 19 games in a row - the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks and the 1999-2000 Lakers - all went on to win the championship that season.

The Rockets got their 19th victory by knocking off New Jersey 91-73 at home. The Rockets covered the 11-point spread at home, but the 164 points were UNDER the posted total of 191.

Tracy McGrady scored 19 points with four rebounds and four assists to pace the Rockets. McGrady has been at his best since Yao Ming went down with a season-ending foot injury Feb. 26. He's averaged 24.9 points in seven games since Houston lost its star center.

The Rockets have been winning primarily with defense. They're allowing 89.3 points per game during the streak and haven't given up more than 100 in the last 17 games.

Houston has won its last 10 games by double digits, and on Wednesday can establish a record for consecutive wins by 10 points or more.

Outside the playoff picture just a month ago, the Rockets now find themselves trailing only the Lakers and San Antonio in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Houston can make Atlanta the fourth repeat victim during its run, having beaten the Hawks 108-89 on Feb. 9 in a game it led by 33 after three quarters. That was the Rockets' sixth consecutive win.

After the loss, Hawks coach Mike Woodson said his team "should've stayed at the hotel."

Woodson was unhappy again after watching his team's latest effort, a 123-112 defeat at Orlando on Monday, as 10-point underdogs on the road. Atlanta trailed 74-53 at halftime.  The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 210.

The Hawks allow 99.1 points per game, but have yielded 115.2 in losing four of their last five.

Atlanta is led offensively by Joe Johnson, who's coming off an outstanding five-game stretch in which he averaged 29.6 points and 7.2 assists. Joe netted a game-high 27 points in Monday's lost. Johnson, though, was held to eight points - tied for his lowest total in his last 46 games - in the Feb. 9 meeting with Houston.

The Rockets have lost three straight and 12 of their last 15 trips to Atlanta.

Basketball Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total is sitting at 197.

Current streak:
Houston has won 19 straight games.

Team records:
Houston: 43-20 SU, 37-24-2 ATS
Atlanta: 26-37 SU, 29-34 ATS

Houston most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Charlotte are 4-3
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a win are 10-0

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 2-8
Before playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After playing Orlando are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 13 games when playing Houston

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