KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Astros are several hundreds of miles away
from Houston, but that doesn't mean they're oblivious to what's
going on in their hometown.  Many Astros players live year round
in Houston, and while not all of them are avid Rockets fans,
even the casual observers are impressed with the local team's
21-game winning streak, the second longest in NBA history.  "I
think it's outstanding," Galveston, Texas, native Brandon Backe
said. "Not having Yao [Ming] there makes it that much more
difficult, but everybody's stepped up, obviously."  Since Ming's
season ended with a left foot injury more than two weeks ago,
the Rockets have strung together nine wins and are 12 away from
tying the all-time record of 33 straight victories, set by the
Lakers in 1971-72.  The plot thickens on Sunday, when the Lakers
and Rockets, tied for first place in the Western Conference,
meet at the Toyota Center in Houston.  "Ooh boy!" Astros manager
Cecil Cooper said. "Remember what [former Rockets coach] Rudy
Tomjanovich ta