Tracy McGrady scored 19 points in less than three quarters on Monday night and the Houston Rockets routed the cold-shooting Nets, 91-73, to win their 19th game in a row, matching the third-longest winning streak in league history.

Houston won its 10th straight game by double digits, tying an N.B.A. record last set by the Nets in 2004. The Rockets also won their 13th straight at Toyota Center and improved to 7-0 since center Yao Ming sustained a season-ending foot injury.

“It’s impressive, and we keep adding on games,” Houston guard Rafer Alston said.

Most importantly, the Rockets moved to a game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the top seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers play in Houston on Sunday.

Vince Carter scored 13 points and Richard Jefferson had 12 for the Nets, who have lost 6 in a row and 9 of 12. The Nets shot 21 percent and scored a season-low 28 points in the first half.

“It’s always frustrating when we try to get to the hole and don’t make our shots,” Carter said.

CELTICS 100, 76ERS 86 Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help visiting Boston reach 50 victories for the first time in 16 years. The Celtics, who have won nine in a row, last won at least 50 games when they were 51-31 in 1991-92. Andre Miller scored 22 points for the 76ers, who had won eight in a row at home.

Sam Cassell made his Boston debut and was whistled for three fouls in his first 3 minutes 5 seconds. Cassell, who signed after being bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers, had not played since Feb. 20. He took two shots but did not score.

SPURS 107, NUGGETS 103 Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds for host San Antonio in the second meeting between the teams in four days. Tony Parker added 16 points, and Manu Ginóbili had a career-high 14 assists for the Spurs (44-19), who tied the Lakers for first place in the West. Allen Iverson led Denver with 28 points despite playing with a broken finger. The Nuggets beat the Spurs in Denver on Friday, ending San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak.

CLIPPERS 99, HEAT 98 Cuttino Mobley made two free throws with 2.6 seconds left and finished with 29 points for visiting Los Angeles. Ricky Davis scored 27 points for Miami, which announced that Dwyane Wade would miss the rest of the season because of a sore knee.

MAGIC 123, HAWKS 112 Dwight Howard had 26 points and 16 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu had the second triple-double of his career as Orlando won at home. Turkoglu had 23 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the Magic tied its season high for scoring. Orlando made 15 3-pointers.

Cavaliers 88, Trail Blazers 80 LeBron James had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, his seventh triple-double of the season, as host Cleveland rallied to win. The Cavaliers were down by 13 points in the second quarter and did not take their first lead until late in the third period.

A DEADLINE IN SEATTLE The private investors who are offering to participate in a $300 million upgrade of Seattle’s KeyArena have given the Washington Legislature until April 10 to approve details of the project. The renovation plan is contingent on the purchase of an N.B.A. team to replace the SuperSonics. Clay Bennett, the Oklahoma City businessman who owns the SuperSonics, wants to move the team to his hometown.

AROUND THE LEAGUE The All-Star forward Caron Butler, who had been out since Feb. 5 with an injured hip, returned to practice for the Washington Wizards. ... Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace returned to practice Monday for the first time since being knocked unconscious in a game last month.

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