Rockets stop off in Indiana

Houston will visit Indiana and New Jersey on its brief trip and is 8-8 as the visitor this season. The Rockets have lost two of three and five of their last seven games overall, including Saturday’s 98-93 setback to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Shane Battier led the Rockets with 28 points and Luther Head scored 22 points in the loss. Rafer Alston netted 21 points for Houston, which is 4 1/2 games off the lead in the Southwest Division.

Rockets center Yao Ming suffered a non displaced fracture in a bone under his right knee in the loss to the Clippers. He is not expected to have surgery, but will most likely miss the next six weeks of action. Houston is already without star Tracy McGrady, who has missed seven straight games battling back spasms.

Indiana, meanwhile, had a two-game winning streak come to an end with Saturday’s 78-71 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Pacers lost for just the second time in six games. Jamaal Tinsley scored 22 points for Indiana, while Al Harrington ended with 12 points and Jermaine O’Neal added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Indiana will wrap up its brief two-game homestand versus Houston and is 8-4 at Conseco Fieldhouse this season. The Pacers are four games off the lead in the Central Division.

Houston and Indiana split a pair of meetings last season. The Rockets have won two of three and three of the last five matchups in the series.

The Pacers have won three of five and four of the last seven meetings at home.