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Rockets try to sting visiting Hornets

Dec 31, 2014 - 2:46 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Rockets have lost two straight, but will try to get back on track Wednesday night when they welcome the Charlotte Hornets to the Toyota Center.

The Rockets fell at San Antonio on Sunday, then at home to the Washington Wizards on Monday. Houston has now dropped four of its last six, including three losses at home during that stretch.

Monday's loss to the Wizards was a tough one to swallow. Bradley Beal went for 33 points and he and John Wall made their free throws late to give the Wizards a 104-103 victory.

James Harden led five Rockets in double figures with 33 points. Josh Smith, in his third game with the club, had only three points with four turnovers on 1 of-6 from the field. Houston fell to 0-2 with Smith in the starting lineup.

"We just have to find a way to come together and play as a team," Rockets center Dwight Howard said.

Howard had 13 points and five boards in the setback. Trevor Ariza and newly- acquired Corey Brewer finished with 15 apiece, followed by 10 out of Patrick Beverley.

The Wizards out-shot the Rockets in every way imaginable Monday. Washington made 47.9 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent from long range and 92.9 from the free-throw line. Houston's percentages were 46.5, 31 and 60.9.

Houston will play four of its next five on the road.

The Hornets have lost three straight, but their biggest loss came off the court on Tuesday. The team announced that center Al Jefferson will miss a month with a strain of an adductor muscle in his left groin.

Jefferson left Charlotte's 104-94 overtime home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday with about seven minutes left to go in regulation.

The Hornets overcame a 21-point first-half deficit, but the Bucks began the extra session on a 9-2 spurt to seize control.

"Tough first half," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "We played a good second half ... they played a great overtime."

Kemba Walker netted 28 points, Gerald Henderson supplied 19 points and five assists and Marvin Williams pulled down 14 boards for Charlotte, which has lost three straight on the heels of a four-game winning streak.

Jefferson had six points before he left. Clifford indicated Bismack Biyombo would start in Jefferson's absence. First-round pick Noah Vonleh cut short a D-League assignment to join the team for big-man depth.

The Rockets have won seven straight against the Hornets and nine in a row as the host. The last time Charlotte won in Houston was Dec. 22, 2004.