By John Hollinger
ESPN.com

Monday, November 24, 2008

MIAMI -- Sometimes the NBA regular season is just about surviving the grind. And for the Houston Rockets, who finished a grueling, injury-plagued first four weeks of the season with a 107-98 win Monday in Miami that left them in first place in the Southwest Division at 10-5, we can officially declare them survivors. The Rockets not only have survived early-season ailments to their three best players and the absence of defensive specialist Shane Battier, they also were dealt a rough schedule right when they were vulnerable. Houston's 10 road games are tied with Portland for the most, and include trips to both coasts that have taken in the league's two farthest corners in Portland and Miami.

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