It's hard to be humble when you have won not one, but two consecutive games.

But in an often-frustrating, frequently maddening and usually disappointing Rockets season, consecutive wins have been as cherished as a miracle cure, so rare they inspired the Rockets to do the unthinkable: They found a new way to lose Tuesday night.

The Rockets blew off all that hustling, rebounding, defending, dirty-work stuff that had forged their brief turnaround. They let the road-weary and short-handed Los Angeles Clippers beat them 94-84 just the way they had won lately, and before just 10,293 at Compaq Center, the Rockets' smallest home crowd since Dec. 11.

The mystery behind those self-inflicted punches in Clipperdom.

Surely by now you've seen Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson going with two-fisted bumps to the forehead after spectacular plays or even mundane baskets. If you haven't, just sit by the TV and wait for the Nike commercial inspired by their forehead-pounding.

Just don't expect an explanation. Miles and Richardson won't tell those who ask, mainly because they get asked all the time and, as kids barely out of high school, clearly enjoy the tease.

Lucky for you that Shootaround doesn't accept "no" answers. After months of dogged research, we've narrowed down the genesis of the tykes' tradition to three possible origins.

Scheduled at the Mayo Clinic to have tests done to discover the root of his migraine trouble, Steve Francis decided that practice was more important, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.  Francis was supposed to miss the team's practice on Monday and the game against the Clippers on Tuesday as he went to Minnesota for the testing.  Instead, ashamed of his 3 for 15 outing (plus 7 turnovers) in a win against the Celtics, he showed up for practice to work on his game.  From his quotes, it doesn't sound like Francis wants to go at all.  There is no indication that he has set an appointment for a later date with the Mayo Clinic.

Last week, Heat coach Pat Riley said he hoped his team would do a lot of winning to keep him from having to make a difficult decision before today's 6 p.m. trade deadline.

Instead, Heat players gave Riley reason to mull changes with a nine-point fourth quarter and an ugly, rather inexcusable home loss to a Los Angeles Clippers team missing its two best players.

Wednesday's 81-71 defeat dropped the Heat 5 ? games behind Philadelphia and Charlotte (who are tied for eighth in the East), and reinforced the notion this team is too unreliable to make a serious playoff push with 30 games left.

''It's very, very disappointing with Elton Brand and Lamar Odom out [with injuries],'' Riley said. ``Their effort was so much better than ours. They came in and kicked out [butt] just like Atlanta did. We would have to go 26-5 to get back in it quick, and that's unrealistic. We have to keep pecking away.''

The Heat (21-31) couldn't overcome Eddie Jones' worst game in a while. Jones (11 points) made eight of nine free throws but shot 1 for 13 from the field, including 0 for 5 in the fourth quarter.

''I let my teammates down,'' Jones said. ``My responsibility is to put points on the board. I didn't do it.''

Meanwhile, Clippers guard Quentin Richardson, one of the NBA's most improved players, produced 25 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

''He dominated the game,'' said Riley, whose team dropped to 10-15 at home.

After winning 10 of 12, the Heat has gone 3-3, including troubling home losses to Atlanta and the Clippers and a decisive setback at Minnesota.

Two nights after shooting a season-high 55.7 percent against Chicago, Miami shot 32.9 percent, including 6.7 percent (1 for 15) from three-point range.

''We have that in us or we wouldn't be 10 under .500,'' Riley said.

The Clippers outscored Miami 13-9 in the fourth, with the Heat shooting 4 for 20 from the field and 0 for 7 on threes.

After closing to within 69-67 with 9:34 left in the fourth, the Heat went 5:58 without scoring as the Clippers ran off eight straight points.

''They were relentless,'' said forward Brian Grant (two points, 13 rebounds). ``We knew that was going to happen and didn't do anything about it. They beat us with energy.''

The Heat, which had scored at least 100 in five of its past 17 games, posted its lowest point total since a 95-56 home loss to Utah on Dec. 18.

The Clippers went ahead for good with a 17-2 second-quarter run that turned an eight-point deficit into a seven-point lead.

''Tonight was attributable to them outworking us,'' said Heat center Alonzo Mourning, who had 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks. ``I recall plenty of plays where I got my butt kicked. It's uncalled for, and there's no reason for it. I'm just worried about how we're playing.''

Power forward Harold Jamison, cut by the Heat during last season's training camp, hurt Miami with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Clippers outrebounded the Heat 55-45 and outscored Miami 40-22 in the paint.

Jones opened 0 for 6 and hit his only field goal, a three-pointer, with 3:22 left in the third quarter. ``I thought I had a lot of open looks but missed them.''

Rod Strickland led Miami with 19 points. Kendall Gill (2 for 9) and Eddie House (2 for 8) missed their last six shots.

Riley suggested the loss would not necessarily make him more inclined to make a trade.

''We have what we have,'' he said. ``Do we have enough outside shooters? I feel we do with House . . . Jim Jackson . . . LaPhonso Ellis. Is there a sticker in the NBA we could get who could do other things? I don't know.''

While Eastern Conference rivals Boston and Indiana made deals to strengthen their size and depth, the Orlando Magic were content to stand pat Thursday as the NBA's trade deadline came and went.

Orlando general manager John Gabriel said he discussed a few deals with teams throughout the day Thursday, but nothing materialized. Orlando held talks with Denver about Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel, but the negotiations never got serious. Denver then traded Van Exel, LaFrentz, Avery Johnson and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to Dallas for Juwan Howard, Tim Hardaway, Donnell Harvey, a first-round pick and $1 million.

Boston picked up more scoring by acquiring Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers from Phoenix. Indiana pulled off the biggest trade of all, getting Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Brad Miller for Jalen Rose and Travis Best. Orlando entered Thursday's play three games back of Boston and 11/2 games ahead of Indiana.

"I really don't care what (other teams) do. I do think Boston helped itself, but I'm not so sure about Indiana," Magic coach Doc Rivers said. "We are who we are. And we're finally playing like we know who we are. We know how we have to play to win. We felt there was no need to make chances just because others did."

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When the Magic talked trade with other teams one of the names that came up most often was small forward Pat Garrity. Already one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters, Garrity's stock has risen dramatically with his recent solid play.

Since moving into the starting lineup 17 games ago, Garrity has averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. He entered Thursday's game having made 12 of his past 14 3-pointers.

Garrity's steady improvement could result in a dramatic pay increase next season. Garrity is making $1.5 million this year and will become a restricted free agent at season's end. Orlando could have extended his contract last summer, but declined the option.

"Noooo, I haven't thought of that at all," Garrity joked. "I'm more looking to play myself into more years on this team. I don't want to go anywhere."

"I don't know how to look at that sort of thing. Really, it's too early to start thinking about (a salary increase) now. Those types of things tend to be a distraction, so I'm trying not to think about it."

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For years, Rivers has called the Clippers' franchise "a potential gold mine" because of their location in Los Angeles and their high draft picks. But Rivers is still surprised that the Clippers have turned around their losing ways this season and climbed into the playoff race. Rivers, who played for the Clippers one season (1991-92), said their reputation as the NBA's thriftiest franchise is warranted.

"When I got traded there they had the video guy at the airport to pick me up and even he told me, 'Sorry you're here because this is going to be very different for you,' " Rivers recalled. "I think they drove me to the airport in a Pacer, an old torn-up car. But I actually had a tremendous year there. We made the playoffs, but that was the year of the riots."

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The Clippers still have the NBA's smallest payroll at $33 million. They have also made some questionable moves this season in the name of cutting costs. Los Angeles got involved in Orlando's trade with Phoenix earlier this season, getting $3 million from the Magic to take Vinny Del Negro. The Clippers then cut Del Negro. Los Angeles also traded for Merritt Island native Will Perdue, only to cut him days later.

If the Clippers are going to hang on to their collection of young talent their payroll will have to go up dramatically. Michael Olowokandi, Jeff McInnis and Eric Piatkowski can be free agents after this season, while Elton Brand and Lamar Odom will be eligible for free agency in 2003.

Some, such as Orlando veteran Horace Grant, doubt whether or not Clippers' owner Donald Sterling will pay the money necessary to keep the roster intact.

"If history repeats itself, he's going to let a few of those guys go. But if he's a smart manager, he'd keep all those young pieces together," Grant said. "In a few years that's a team that could go far in the playoffs. (Elton) Brand is one of the best power forwards in the league and Olowokandi is playing great right now. You can go down the line with the talent they have."

Change, in some cases, certainly can be good. But considering the way the surging Orlando Magic are playing now it is easy to see why they yawned at the passing of Thursday's NBA's trade deadline and resisted altering their team.

Rested and ready after four days off, Orlando continued playing well and dismantled the up-and-coming Los Angeles Clippers in a 119-102 rout before 14,143 fans at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

The one-sided victory was important on several fronts. Orlando (28-25) moved three games over .500 for the first time this season. And the Magic's win -- combined with losses by Washington and Boston -- moved them into sole possession of the fifth seed in the log-jammed Eastern Conference. They are just two games back of the Celtics for the fourth seed.

"We're playing so well right now and I'm glad we didn't mess up that chemistry," said Magic star Tracy McGrady, who had a game-high 22 points despite playing with the flu. "It's important sometimes to just keep the team you're dealt. We're very comfortable with each other now, and I'm glad we kept everybody we started with."

Orlando particularly was fresh and fired up for this one, racing to a 15-point lead in the first half and pushing it to a whopping 27 points midway through the third quarter. Los Angeles, still without Lamar Odom (wrist), had won a night earlier in Miami. The Clippers, the NBA's youngest team, are 20-10 in Los Angeles, but just 7-19 on the road.

Dallas, Boston, Indiana and Minnesota pulled off major trades to ready themselves for the playoffs, but the Magic did nothing to improve their smallish frontline. General manager John Gabriel said he fielded several calls Thursday, but none of the trade talks ever got serious.

Orlando, which hosts Philadelphia on Saturday before embarking on a seven-game road trip, is playing as well offensively as it has at any point this season. In the four games since the All-Star break -- three of them lopsided wins --Orlando is averaging 111.2 points. Orlando is 19-8 when it scores at least 100 points.

"Our ball movement right now is about as good as it gets," Magic coach Doc Rivers said. "When we score the points we're scoring it's really tough for us to lose."

As has been the case several times this season, veteran point guard Darrell Armstrong jump-started the Magic in the third quarter with a flurry of points and hustle. He started a 20-3 spurt with a 3-pointer and a nifty alley-oop pass to McGrady for a dunk. In the third quarter alone, Armstrong had 15 points, two dunks, two steals and an assist.

Resting up for Saturday's showdown against Allen Iverson, Armstrong didn't play in the fourth quarter and finished with 20 points and six rebounds.

"I'm kind of just getting my legs under me in the first half, but the third quarter has been my quarter this year," Armstrong said. "I started eating my Hershey kisses again at halftime and I'm still drinking coffee before the game. What can I say? It's giving me a lot of energy."

McGrady missed the morning shootaround with a touch of the flu and started slowly, but still had his way with the Clippers offensively. He topped the 20-point mark for the 39th time this season.

All-star forward Elton Brand, who missed the Clippers' win in Miami on Wednesday, registered his 38th double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

With McGrady's energy sapped by the flu, Miller carried the offense in the first half. He played with the kind of aggression Rivers has been asking for, attacking the basket and actively looking for his shot. He had 17 points in the first half, hitting two 3-pointers and half of his 14 field goal tries. The Magic led 58-46 at the half.

"Right now every win is so big because in the Eastern Conference you can go from eighth to fifth in one night," Rivers said. "Chemistry is so underrated in this game. Our guys get along, they all accept their roles and they play well together. Any trade we might have made would have affected that."

The Los Angeles Clippers, for all of their young legs and lively bodies, looked as if they were trying to herd cats Thursday night.

It wasn't going to work.

The Orlando Magic unleashed four days of pent-up energy, running over, around and through the frustrated Clippers, scrambling to a 119-102 victory that never was in doubt beyond the opening period.

Maybe this is why the Magic let the trade deadline pass Thursday without making a move. There is something going on here.

The Magic moved three games above .500 for the first time this season, moving into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race and running the normally free-wheeling Clippers into the ground.

The Magic (28-25) are just two games behind the Boston Celtics for the No. 4 spot, which would translate into home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

"I'd be the first to say, we can run with anyone now," said Magic guard Darrell Armstrong. "When we move the ball and run like this, we're going to get wide-open shots. And we're going to be tough to handle."

Tracy McGrady was slowed by the flu, but he still led everyone with 22 points and managed to grab seven rebounds, providing the anchor for another impressive offensive performance.

It was the fourth time in the past five games the Magic scored at least 100 points. It also was their fourth victory in five games.

"When we're scoring points the way we've been scoring, it's going to be tough to lose games," said Magic Coach Doc Rivers. "I thought our ball movement was as good as it gets. We played well."

Armstrong was outstanding ? particularly at the start of the second half ? for the second consecutive game.

He had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, but he also excelled defensively, disrupting everything the Clippers tried to do. He also had three steals.

Armstrong's energy set the tone for the victory as he skated past the Clippers' point guards time and again.

"He's like the human coffee cup," remarked Magic rookie Steven Hunter. "He's so revved up. I've never seen anyone with so much energy."

The Magic outrebounded the Clippers 51-41. They won the battle of the steals 11-5. They were more aggressive throughout the game.

"Sure, they like to run. But a lot of teams like to run on offense," Armstrong said. "They didn't like running on defense, getting back. And we were getting wide-open shots. I always thought we could run with that bunch."

The Clippers opened their East Coast swing Wednesday night with a defensive victory in Miami.

But they had no defense Thursday. Elton Brand had 19 points and 15 rebounds. Jeff McInnis had 18 points and four assists.

The Magic, who play at home again Saturday against Philadelphia, looked like a well-rested team ? which they were. They managed 33 second-chance points.

Horace Grant had a team-high 11 rebounds, outplaying Clippers center Michael Olowokandi.

Reserve Monty Williams had a perfect shooting night, making all five of his field-goal attempts and all three free throws.

Pat Garrity's recent hot streak ended, but it was a good time for a bad game. He made only one of eight shots.

"We've got something going here now," McGrady said. "The chemistry is good, and you don't want to mess it up. It's all about moving up now. We've got one more long trip, but after that, we're heading in for the playoffs."

It's time to tap the brake pedal. The Los Angeles Clippers are in town.

The Orlando Magic are well-rested after four days of no games, but they have little interest in taking a joy ride tonight with the younger, springier legs of the Clippers.

The Magic, who normally do best in a free-wheeling game, know their best chance of winning -- and finally establishing a real home-court swagger in the last two months of the season -- is to walk the ball up court.

"If we can stop their transition game -- not let them run -- we have a great chance of winning," said veteran power forward Horace Grant. "Otherwise, you might have to bring out the oxygen for me."

The Clippers, who played in Miami Wednesday night, have one of the youngest, most physically gifted teams in the league, but they are as skittish as a young colt when they are forced into a set-it-up, slowdown game.

And that's the Magic's plan tonight.

The Clippers could use a lineup that looks like a slam-dunk contest, including Darius Miles, Corey Maggette, Quentin Richardson and Elton Brand, making the Magic look like they're running in sand.

While the Magic have the shooters, guys like Mike Miller, Pat Garrity, Horace Grant -- a team built around the double-teams that Tracy McGrady attracts -- the Clippers are loaded with more athletic players.

"The Clippers are just so unpredictable," Miller said. "If they are making shots, really running the floor, they are a great team. But they are less comfortable if you get them in the half court. If we can take away their athletic ability in the open court, it will make it a lot more difficult for them."

The Magic (27-25) are hoping to use tonight's game against the Clippers and Saturday's game against Philadelphia as a springboard to their seven-game Eastern swing that begins next week.

Earlier this season in Los Angeles, the Magic started quickly, then found themselves in a fourth-quarter track meet against the Clippers that they couldn't win. The Clippers, though, are without Lamar Odom (injured list with sprained wrist) this time.

Although the Magic would love to get more athletic, it's unlikely to happen today before the 6 p.m. trade deadline. The balance of the Eastern Conference makes it easy to move up or down, but General Manager John Gabriel said Wednesday night that he didn't expect any roster changes.

"You think about things that could separate you from the pack, and the checkered flag is within your sights," Gabriel said. "We're aware of that. But it just doesn't look like anything fits."

It began Saturday with an attempt with Don Nelson's promised big lineup, and with facing one of their biggest fears ? a spookily athletic Los Angeles Clippers squad.

The result, a 119-110 loss to the Clippers at the Staples Center provided some answers, too. Namely, that there is some work to do.

Because the Big Lineup wasn't exactly a success, and the athletic Clippers out-swooped and out-gunned the Mavericks in the first of Dallas' second back-to-back set on the road.

The Big Lineup experiment began with a first-quarter force-feeding of rotating the Mavericks' true centers: 7-6 Shawn Bradley, 7-1 Wang Zhizhi and 6-11 Evan Eschmeyer, who was activated from the injured list before the game. He had been out since Dec. 29 with a severely sprained ankle.

Just when you think Lamar Odom's season can't get any worse, it does.

Having played only 29 games with the Clippers and scheduled to wear a cast on his sore right wrist for two more weeks, Odom dunked a basketball in Thursday's shoot-around, stepped on the ball, fell and sprained his right ankle.

X-rays were negative, but the ankle was put in a soft cast. This injury is expected to keep him out for two to four weeks.

"I'm sad," said Odom. "There's nothing I can do about it. It was a freak accident. I just want to do everything I can to get back as soon as possible."