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Rockets hope to have 'Big Three' together vs. 76ers

Jan 28, 2009 - 11:27 AM Philadelphia (21-22) at Houston (28-18) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady are finally healthy. Now it's Yao Ming's turn.

The Houston Rockets expect to welcome Ming back when they open a three-game homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

The Rockets have not had all three of their stars on the court together in nearly a month, with McGrady dealing with nagging knee injuries and Artest spending 13 games on the shelf with a balky ankle. Just as the two were about to return, Yao suffered a knee injury of his own.

McGrady and Artest both returned on Sunday and sparked a 108-105 win at Detroit. But playing on back-to-back days on Monday, the two seemed to tire at the end of a loss to the New York Knicks.

The two combined to shoot 11-of-39, including 0-of-9 in the last four minutes as Houston was outscored, 12-4, during that stretch and went on to lose, 104-98. The Rockets attempted 33 3-pointers, hitting 10, and McGrady and Artest combined to go 4-of-19 from beyond the arc.

The 76ers are scuffling slightly, dropping two of three on the heels of a season-high seven-game wining streak. They lost a 101-86 decision at New Orleans on Monday.

Philadelphia ends its two-game road trip against the Rockets before returning home for a seven-game set. The Sixers are 12-9 at home vs. 9-13 on the road.