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Kidd set to return as Nets host Rockets

Dec 7, 2007 - 3:33 PM Houston (10-9) at New Jersey (9-10) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - Jason Kidd missed just one game, but the firestorm it created has taken on a life of its own.

Kidd is set to return on Friday when the New Jersey Nets host the Houston Rockets.

An eight-time All-Star, Kidd did not play in the Nets' 100-93 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday due to a migraine headache.

Not long after, reports surfaced that Kidd was using his "illness" as a ploy to demand a trade or a contract extension. The guard's absence did not go unnoticed by Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.

"You catch a team without Jason and you can see the type of difference he makes," Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said. "We were fortunate enough to catch them on a night he wasn't playing. The Nets are definitely a different team without Kidd, and I'm glad we didn't have to see him tonight."

Despite Kidd's impressive per-game averages (11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists), the Nets have struggled to collect win lately, going 5-9 after a 4-1 start.

The Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-92, on Wednesday behind Tracy McGrady's third career triple-double - and his first with the Rockets - to break a two-game slide. McGrady had 17 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.