Rockets make more history

The Houston Rockets’ 21st consecutive victory gave them the second-longest winning streak in NBA history and a share of first place in the Western Conference.

Tracy McGrady scored 30 points and the Rockets beat the Charlotte Bobcats 89-80 on Friday night in Houston, to break a tie with the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks for the second-best victory streak in league history. Only the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won 33 in a row, had a longer streak.

The win also sets up Sunday’s showdown with the current Lakers at the Toyota Center. They’re both 45-20, the best records in the West.

When the buzzer sounded, red streamers rained down as the crowd started chanting “M-V-P!” for McGrady.

Pistons 84, Spurs 80: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and made an important three-point play with 20.6 seconds left, lifting Detroit to a victory over San Antonio.

Hornets 108, Lakers 98: At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 27 points and 17 assists to help the Hornets beat Los Angeles in what could prove to be a costly game for both teams.

Paul and David West both left in the fourth quarter with ankle injuries for New Orleans and the Lakers’ Pau Gasol sprained his ankle and left the game in the first quarter.

Nuggets 137, Raptors 105: At Denver, Allen Iverson scored 28 points despite a fractured finger, Carmelo Anthony added 22 and the Nuggets defeated Toronto for their fifth straight win at home.

Jazz 110, Celtics 92: At Boston, Deron Williams had 32 points and eight assists to lead Utah to a victory over the Celtics.

Boston’s Ray Allen left the game with a jammed left ankle and did not return for the final three quarters.

Mavericks 116, Pacers 97: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and new backup point guard Tyronn Lue had 13 points in 15 minutes, carrying the Mavericks past Indiana.

76ers 110, Bulls 106: At Chicago, Andre Iguodala scored 25 points and Rodney Carney had 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the Bulls.

Magic 103, Heat 94: At Miami, Jameer Nelson scored 21 points, Dwight Howard added 18 points and 16 rebounds and Orlando defeated the Heat to move closer to clinching an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Hawks 117, Clippers 93: At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 21 of his 28 points in the third quarter and Mike Bibby handed out 14 assists to help the Hawks beat Los Angeles.

Curry’s season ends

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, ending his season.