(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-11 14:43

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets matched the NBA's third-longest winning streak when they recorded their 19th consecutive triumph with a 91-73 rout of the New Jersey Nets on Monday.

Houston Rockets starting center Dikembe Mutombo is all smiles as he watches his teammates during the final minutes of their game against the New Jersey Nets as the Rockets won their 19th consecutive NBA game in Houston March 10, 2008. The Rockets 19th victory ties the consecutive win record of the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks. [Agencies]

Tracy McGrady sparked the milestone victory with 19 points.

Only the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have longer streaks, the Lakers winning 33 consecutive games during the 1971-72 season while the Bucks put together 20 successive victories in 1971.

The Lakers also had a 19-game winning streak eight years ago.

"It's fantastic to have your team mentioned with some of the best teams and some of the best players to have ever played the game," Houston's Rafer Alston told reporters after scoring 12 points.

McGrady said the Rockets defense has played a big role in the streak and was key in Monday's victory.

"Defense wins ball games and that's what we're great at," McGrady said. "We didn't shoot the ball particularly well tonight and our defense bailed us out."

The Nets scored only 28 points in the first half, shooting an ice-cold 20.9 percent, enabling the Rockets to enjoy an 18-point intermission lead that was never threatened in the second half.

Houston will attempt to record a 20th consecutive victory at Atlanta on Wednesday.