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Yao, Rockets look to sweep season series from Nets

Mar 9, 2007 - 5:04 PM New Jersey (28-33) at Houston (37-24) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming is trying to regain his rhythm. The same could be said for the New Jersey Nets.

Yao plays his third game since returning from a leg fracture when the Rockets host the sliding Nets on Friday.

The 7-5 Yao was sidelined for nearly three months with the injury. Although the Rockets managed to go 20-12 without their superstar, they are much more dangerous with him.

In his return Monday, Yao had 16 points and 11 rebounds but committed five turnovers in a loss at Cleveland. Afterward, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy made no excuses for his rusty center and criticized Yao's sloppiness with the ball.

Yao was a bit better in Wednesday's 111-80 road trouncing of Boston, collecting 11 points and five boards while committing just one turnover. However, he picked up four fouls in just 19 minutes.

New Jersey has lost three consecutive games, including the first two of a pivotal six-game road trip. The Nets are one-third of the way through the dreaded "Texas Triangle," having absorbed a 102-89 loss at Dallas on Tuesday and visiting San Antonio on Saturday.

The Nets are percentage points behind Orlando (29-34) for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New Jersey has not missed the postseason since 2001.

Houston taken four of the last five meetings with New Jersey, including an easy 96-71 road triumph December 27. Shane Battier offset Yao's absence with seven 3-pointers.