Yao Ming goes down with injury, while NBA Trades seem to be affecting other teams' play.
After winning 13 games straight, the Houston Rockets took a big blow with star center Yao Ming going down for the rest of the season. That means, they'll have to put all their hopes on the oft-injured Tracy McGrady, as well as an old Dikembe Mutombo in the paint.
After struggling for most of the season, the Rockets had made a major push in the standings, pulling within one game of the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets and two games of the San Antonio Spurs. Yet, without Yao anchoring the team's middle, they may not have enough to continue their hot streak.
Meanwhile, has anyone noticed how many current winning streaks there are in the NBA? Has anyone wondered if that has something to do with all the recent trade activity? The LA Lakers, after acquiring Pau Gasol, have won nine straight, the Spurs, acquiring Kurt Thomas and Damon Stoudamire to help solidify its bench, has won six straight, and Dallas, after acquiring Jason Kidd, has won three straight. Conversely, the Memphis Grizzlies have lost six straight after trading Pau Gasol for practically nothing, and though the Miami Heat, after acquiring Shawn Marion, have only won one of its last ten games, they have been playing more competitively than before.
