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Rockets look for players to step up in Ming's absence

Dec 29, 2006 - 3:10 PM Atlanta (9-18) at Houston (17-12) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets need people to step up in Yao Ming's absence.

The Rockets continue to press on without Yao when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

Houston's leading scorer and rebounder, Yao will be sidelined up to eight weeks after suffering a broken bone under his right knee in Saturday's contest with the Los Angeles Clippers.

After struggling offensively in Tuesday's loss at Indiana, the Rockets bounced back with a terrific 96-71 win at New Jersey on Wednesday.

Shane Battier made up for Yao's absence, scoring 23 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the arc. Tracy McGrady added 17 points and six assists while Juwan Howard finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets.

Joe Johnson and the Hawks have struggled of late, losing five straight games.

Atlanta's leading scorer, Johnson shot just 4-of-17 for a season-low 10 points in Wednesday's 89-76 loss to Cleveland.