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Nets look to bounce back against struggling Rockets

Dec 27, 2006 - 4:07 PM Houston (16-12) at New Jersey (11-17) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets were not happy with the officiating on Tuesday night. They will look to regroup one night later.

After suffering a tough loss, the Nets on Wednesday will host the Houston Rockets, who must be thrilled to have superstar Tracy McGrady back in the lineup.

New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank was screaming in the direction of official Tom Washington at the conclusion of a disappointing 92-91 loss at Detroit on Tuesday.

Washington failed to call a foul in the waning seconds when Vince Carter was bumped by Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace.

Carter scored 28 points and Richard Jefferson added 18 for the Nets, who have lost three straight and five of their last seven games.

The Nets received an encouraging performance from Jason Collins, who scored a season-high 13 points. He has shifted from power forward to center with Nenad Krstic out for the season with a torn left ACL.

On Tuesday, Houston did not benefit from the return of McGrady in an 81-76 loss to Indiana.

With star center Yao Ming sidelined for up to six weeks with a broken bone below his right knee, the Rockets welcomed back McGrady, who had missed the previous seven games with back spasms.

McGrady played with energy through the first three quarters when he scored all 19 of his points. But he missed all eight of his shots in the final period to go along with a pair critical turnovers in the final moments. Houston went 2-5 without McGrady in the lineup.

The teams split their two meetings last season.