Rockets still a major player in the West

The Rockets are a solid 29-17 and sit in third place in the Southwest Division, nine games behind the first place Dallas Mavericks.

Yao, who leads the Rockets in scoring (25.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg), suffered a non displaced fracture in a bone under his right knee during a 98-93 loss on December 23rd to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 7-6 Yao, who was voted as a starter by the fans for the All-Star Game, is expected to be sidelined at least until late February and will not participate in the mid-season classic.

Houston is 13-6 without Yao in the lineup this season.

The struggling Minnesota Timberwolves try to put the brakes on a three-game losing streak when they visit the Rockets on Monday at the Toyota Center. It is the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the squads. Minnesota won two of the three previous contests. The Timberwolves have lost five of nine and six of their last 11 at Houston.

Houston will also try to get back on the winning track, as it plays the finale of a five-game homestand against the Timberwolves. Devin Brown led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets defeated the Rockets, 87-74, on Saturday at the Toyota Center.

Tracy McGrady, who will start for the West in February 18th’s All-Star Game, scored 18 for Houston, which tied season lows for points in a first quarter, 15 and first half, 30. Luther Head netted 14 and Bonzi Wells registered 13 points for the Rockets who had a four-game winning streak halted.

The Rockets are 16-6 at home this season. After Monday’s contest, they will hit the road and visit Memphis on Tuesday and Dallas on Friday.