Bodog Beat

Tracy McGrady only had 11 points but the Rockets won anyway. (AP Images)

If the Houston Rockets were to ever lose another game, a lot of NBA bettors figured it would happen Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Not so fast.

These Rockets appear to have much, much higher to go. They beat the Lakers with relative ease, claiming a 104-92 victory in Houston that extended their winning streak to an unreal 22 games. The Rockets even won without Tracy McGrady producing much offense. McGrady, a leading candidate for league MVP, only scored 11 points as the Rockets took over first place in the Western Conference from L.A.

Rafer Alston led the way with 31 points and Luis Scola had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Houston covered the point spread, which was 3.5. With Shane Battier playing tough defense on Kobe Bryant, the Rockets limited the Lakers’ superstar to 24 points.

In other NBA action on Sunday:

Detroit 105, New Orleans 84: Jarvis Hayes (who?) scored 29 points to lead the Pistons over the Hornets in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Pistons were favored by 6.5 at home.

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