McGrady doing his share for Houston

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. He is expected to be sidelined into February. Houston is 5-2 without Yao.

McGrady, who missed seven games earlier this season with back spasms, has scored in double-digits in all seven games without Yao. He has registered more than 30 points in five straight contests, and is averaging 35.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in that span.

The Chicago Bulls and Rockets meet for the second and final time this season, as the teams battle on Monday at the United Center. On November 16th, McGrady posted 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Rockets held on for a 101-100 win over Chicago at the Toyota Center.

Houston has won three straight after losing its last two at Chicago. The Rockets have won two in a row and seven of the last eight contests in the series.

The Rockets wrap up a brief two-game road trip against the Bulls. On Sunday, Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Rockets, 103-99, in overtime at the Target Center.

McGrady scored a game-high 31 points in the win over Minnesota for the Rockets, while Shane Battier poured in 20 points for Houston, which had a five-game winning streak halted.

The Rockets are 9-10 on the road this season. They return home to host Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at the Toyota Center. Houston is 0-2 against the Lakers this season, as it lost once at home and on the road.

Houston has lost two straight and four of its last six at the Lakers.

After Wednesday’s game, the Rockets will embark on a three-game road trip. They will visit the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings and Dallas on the upcoming swing.

The Rockets have scored 100 or more points in three of their last four outings. They are 9-2 when they reach the century mark this season.