Bulls-Rockets Preview

The Houston Rockets are struggling to play consistently well during another injury-plagued season. Strangely enough, they might take a few lessons from the Chicago Bulls, who appear to finally be getting things together.

The Bulls look to win four straight games for the first time in nearly two years -- and beat the Rockets for the first time in more than three years -- when the clubs square off in Houston on Tuesday night.

Chicago's win streak comes after dropping 13 of its previous 18. The poor stretch prompted owner Jerry Reinsdorf to call his team "embarrassing" and "a disaster" on Friday, saying he's been tempted to stand up and boo his own team.

Reinsdorf, though, has to be pleased with the way the Bulls have played on their season high-tying seven-game road trip.

After falling in the opener, Chicago (21-27) snapped a five-game skid by routing the Los Angeles Clippers 95-75 the day before Reinsdorf made his comments.

The Bulls then shot a season-high 55.6 percent from the field in a 109-88 win over Sacramento on Friday before shooting 50.0 percent and recording a season-high point total in a 122-111 victory over Phoenix on Saturday night.

"Whenever you can win, it builds confidence," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, who spent last season in the Suns front office. "Now, there's more of a comfort feeling on both ends of the court. It comes with familiarity with what we're trying to do."

The Bulls, 5-17 on the road before their three-game run, are now in position to win four straight for the first time since March 22-29, 2007.

"We're playing with a lot more confidence," said guard Ben Gordon, who had 26 points and hit five 3-pointers against Phoenix. "Winning three in a row feels so different. It's been a few years back, when we were in the playoffs."

Chicago will be taking on a Houston team that's struggled to put together any sustained success, in part because of injuries.

Though the Rockets (29-19) are in the thick of the playoff hunt in the competitive Western Conference, they haven't won more than four consecutive games this season. Health problems have certainly played a role, as Houston has played nine games without Tracy McGrady, nine without Ron Artest and two without Yao Ming since the start of January.

McGrady, battling a sore left knee all season, sprained his left ankle in practice Friday and didn't play Saturday night against Golden State. He's listed as day-to-day.

In his absence, the Rockets got 27 points from Artest and 25 from Yao in their 110-93 victory.

"Hopefully, this is a sign of something," Artest said. "Hopefully, this game is where it turns around and we can just get on a streak here."

The Rockets -- who blew fourth-quarter leads in each of their previous two games, both losses -- outscored the Warriors 29-18 in the final period.

"We just need to start playing well," reserve guard Aaron Brooks said. "It's a good start. We've got a lot of work to do still, but we want to try to keep it rolling."

The Rockets have been on a roll against the Bulls, winning the last five meetings, including two last season by an average of 15.5 points.

Chicago could have a hard time snapping that skid if Derrick Rose is hobbled. The rookie point guard had 26 points Saturday before sitting out the final seven minutes with a sprained left foot. He said he would have treatment and expects to be available Tuesday.