NBA.COM preview http://www.nba.com/games/20071212/DETHOU/preview.html says is is unavailable. Pistons-Rockets Preview 2006-07 Stats at a Glance The Detroit Pistons' best run this season has included several dominant offensive performances. Scoring, meanwhile, has been the Houston Rockets' biggest problem, and Tracy McGrady's absence certainly won't help. Winners of four straight on the road, the Pistons look to continue their surge Wednesday night as they face a struggling Rockets team that could be without its top scorer. Central Division-leading Detroit (15-6) has won seven of eight, averaging 106.8 points per game during that span. Each of the Pistons' last seven wins have been by double-digits, and they're 10-0 when scoring at least 100. Houston (11-11), meanwhile, has lost 10 of 15 after a 6-1 start and could be without the oft-injured McGrady, who sprained his right ankle in the second half of a 100-88 loss to Philadelphia on Monday night. "We didn't have any energy. We'll look at it and evaluate it. Everybody has to evaluate how they can do better," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. McGrady, who leads Houston with 24.6 points and 5.5 assists per game, is questionable for this contest. He's missed an average of 13 games per season since joining the Rockets in 2004-05, mostly with back injuries. If McGrady can't play, that would leave Yao Ming to shoulder the offense for a team averaging 94.9 points this season and has been held fewer than 90 in consecutive games for the first time. Yao averages 21.5 points. McGrady's ankle isn't the Rockets' only injury concern. Starting point guard Rafer Alston has missed two straight games with a groin injury, and Adelman said he isn't going to rush him back into the lineup. "We want him for long run," Adelman said of Alston, who's second behind McGrady with 4.8 assists per game. "We don't need him to hurt it again." Houston is opening a three-game homestand at the Toyota Center, where it's just 5-3 this season. Detroit's eight road wins, though, are second most in the Eastern Conference behind Orlando (11). The Pistons extended their road run with a 113-103 win over Memphis on Tuesday. Chauncey Billups had 28 points and 14 assists, while Richard Hamilton scored 27 points to lead the Pistons. Tayshaun Prince added 19 points and Jason Maxiell - who started in place of Rasheed Wallace - finished with 15 for Detroit, which shot 50.6 percent (41-for-81) and committed only eight turnovers. The Pistons said Wallace, who didn't start for the first time in 19 games, wasn't feeling well. He played 30 minutes and ended up with eight points and five rebounds. The Pistons and Rockets split two games last season, with each team winning at home. Detroit has dropped 11 of its last 14 visits to Houston.
i had assumed he would be playing. ugh. this sucks if he is not playing. going to be embarrased on nat'l tv
