Rockets having trouble finding their game

Superstar Tracy McGrady has missed eight games this season because of back problems. The team is 0-8 without him in the lineup. McGrady is averaging a team-best 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and a club-high 4.4 assists in the games he has played in.

Houston plays the finale of a four-game homestand on Tuesday. The Rockets are 1-2 on their current stand. On Saturday, Damon Stoudamire scored 24 points and Bobby Jackson added a season-high 18 off the bench, as the Memphis Grizzlies jumped out to a large early lead and beat the Rockets, 90-75, at the Toyota Center.

Yao Ming led all scorers with 29 points in the loss to Memphis for the Rockets, but didn’t receive much help from McGrady, who scored just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the floor.

The Rockets are 2-6 as the host this season. After Tuesday’s game, they will embark on a six-game road trip. Houston, which is also 2-6 as the visitor, will visit Sacramento, Portland, Golden State, Seattle, the Clippers and the Lakers on the upcoming swing.

When Houston scores under 90 points it is 0-11. The Rockets have scored 100 points just once this season, as they defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 100-85, on November 29th at the Toyota Center.