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Yao helping Rockets overcome injuries

Jan 21, 2009 - 11:23 AM Utah (25-17) at Houston (26-16) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Yao Ming is keeping the Houston Rockets afloat while two of their biggest stars work their way back from injury.

The Rockets go for their third straight win on Wednesday when they wrap up a five-game homestand against the Utah Jazz.

Yao is averaging 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 67.5 percent from the field during the last six games, leading Houston to five wins over that span.

The 28-year-old center scored 31 points and hit 13-of-19 shots from the floor, including 5-of-8 in the fourth quarter, to help the Rockets escape with a 115-113 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

The win came without Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest, again. McGrady has missed the last four games while resting his sore left knee while Artest has been sidelined for five contests with a sprained right ankle. Both players went through limited practices on Tuesday, but neither will play on Wednesday.

Their absence is good news for the Jazz, who are trying to find consistency after alternating losses and wins in their last four games following four straight victories.

Utah bounced back from a seven-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks with a 112-107 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Paul Millsap scored 28 points and pulled down 15 rebounds, pacing the Jazz to their sixth straight win at home.