The Rockets have lost starting center Chuck Hayes for the next 2-4 weeks with a sprained ankle. Hayes has played in 31 games (20 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 21.5 minutes, 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 54.2% shooting from the floor. The Rockets will use 23-year old Jordan Hill and 34-year old Brad Miller at center until Hayes is ready to return to action. Hill has played in 29 games (1 start) so far this year and he is averaging 17.5 minutes, 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game on 51.3% from the floor. I look for Hill to step up and respond to the challenge. Brad Miller has played in 30 games (5 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 18.1 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Miller is shooting an amazing 43.4% from three point range so far this year. I think Hill & Miller will do a good job while Hayes is out of action.

The Rockets didn’t play any D last night as the Heat shot 58.1% from the floor and that did them in. Luis Scola (22 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist) and Kevin Martin (21 points, 2 rebounds and 4 steals) led the way for the Rockets last night. Aaron Brooks was outstanding off the bench last night for the Rockets with 20 points, 2 rebounds and 9 assists in 26 minutes on the floor. Chuck Hayes (13 points), Kyle Lowry (11 points) and Chase Budinger (11 points) also had solid games for the Rockets. The Rockets put forth a great effort last night but it just wasn’t good enough to prevail. The Rockets are now 15-16 on the year.

The Rockets outscored the Wizards 32-20 in the 4th quarter to surge to victory tonight. Kevin Martin led the way for the Rockets in this game with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Shane Battier (15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots) and Aaron Brooks (15 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 22 minutes) also had solid games tonight. Luis Scola (13 points) and Jordan Hill (13 points) also helped out offensively tonight for the Rockets. The Rockets are now 15-15 on the season.

Starting point guard Aaron Brooks went down to injury early this season and 24-year old Kyle Lowry took advantage of that situation in December. Lowry has played in 12 games so far this month and he is averaging 35.8 minutes, 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He is also shooting really well hitting 46.3% from the floor and an absolutely amazing 48.9% from three point range this month! Lowry has now played in 25 games (21 starts) for the Rockets overall this year and he is averaging 33.7 minutes, 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

The Rockets were just a little bit better than the Clippers last night. Kevin Martin led the way for the Rockets in this game with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Luis Scola also had a solid game with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. Shane Battier pitched in with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. The Rockets are now 14-15 on the season.

22-year old undrafted rookie point guard Ishmael Smith has been throwing up a lot of bricks so far this year as he is only shooting 38% from the floor. Smith has played in 22 games (3 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 13.4 minutes, 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. With Aaron Brooks back in action and Kyle Lowry playing so well, playing time is going to be hard for Smith to find going forward. 21-year old forward Patrick Patterson has only played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 3.5 minutes, 1.5 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. Patterson will have to bide his time on the bench because he’s buried on the depth chart right now.

30-year old power forward Luis Scola has been very solid for the Rockets so far this year. He has played in 28 games (all starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 33.3 minutes, 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Scola has shot 50% from the floor but only 68% from the free throw line so far this year. If he could just improve his free throw shooting a tad the results would be good for both Scola and the team. The Rockets really need Scola to keep hitting the boards hard to help replace Yao.

The Rockets shot 50% from the floor and they outrebounded the Warriors 45-35 on their way to a nice road win in Oakland. Kevin Martin led the way for the Rockets in this game with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Luis Scola had another solid game for the Rockets with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Shane Battier (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocked shots) and Chuck Hayes (12 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist in 23 minutes) also had solid games for the Rockets last night. The Rockets are now 13-15 on the year.

The Rockets outrebounded the Kings 50-38 last night and they held them to 38.5% shooting from the floor so the only surprise is that they didn’t win by more points.  Kevin Martin led the way for the Rockets in this game with 22 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.  Luis Scola was also very solid with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.  Kyle Lowry got the start at the point in this game and he finished up with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.  The Rockets are now 12-15 on the season.

The Rockets led this game 89-60 after the first three quarters before calling off the dogs. The Rockets outrebounded the Grizzlies 47-36 in this game and they held the Grizzlies to 36.5% shooting from the floor which helps explain the scoreboard. Kevin Martin led the way for the Rockets in this game with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 1 blocked shot. Luis Scola (23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot) and Shane Battier (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocked shots) also had really solid games for the Rockets. Kyle Lowry did a great job of running the offense as he finished up with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 18 assists, 5 steals and 1 blocked shot. The Rockets are now 11-15 on the year.