(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-20 15:43

NEW YORK - The Houston Rockets went straight back to their winning ways after the All-Star break, beating the Cavaliers 93-85 in Cleveland on Tuesday to earn their ninth win in a row.

The win was also the ninth consecutive road triumph for the Rockets, matching the franchise's longest road winning streak. Houston also had to overcome a triple-double from the Cavs' LeBron James.

"We don't want to get tired of winning," said Houston's Tracy McGrady, who scored 17 points. "That's our motto, moving forward."

"A lot of people probably thought the break was bad for us because we had so much momentum, so much swagger, going into the break. But everybody came back focused and we said, 'Let's start it off right. Let's not get tired of winning.'"

They won despite 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists by James, who recorded his fifth triple-double of the season and the 15th of his career.

"I missed too many shots that I usually make," said James, who came under pressure from a strong Houston defense.

Rafer Alston had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds and Yao Ming posted 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who are fighting for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Houston began the night a shade out of the eighth and final playoff position.

Yao was just 3-for-17 and McGrady 6-for-21 on their field goal attempts but the Rockets still managed the win.

"This was really a positive win for us," said Houston coach Rick Adelman.

"We defended well the whole game and executed down the stretch. We missed some free throws but we executed down the stretch and it's a great road win."