27-year old center Chuck Hayes is getting hot right now. In his last five games, Hayes is averaging 32.0 minutes, 10.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. He is shot 63.9% from the floor in those five games. The Rockets need him to keep up the good work. Hayes has now played in 40 games (29 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he averaged 23.9 minutes, 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Hayes is shooting 57% from the floor and 72.2% from the free throw line as he has been very efficient offensively this year.

Starting point guard Aaron Brooks went down to injury early this season and 24-year old Kyle Lowry took advantage of that situation in December. Lowry has played in 12 games so far this month and he is averaging 35.8 minutes, 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He is also shooting really well hitting 46.3% from the floor and an absolutely amazing 48.9% from three point range this month! Lowry has now played in 25 games (21 starts) for the Rockets overall this year and he is averaging 33.7 minutes, 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

30-year old power forward Luis Scola has been very solid for the Rockets so far this year. He has played in 28 games (all starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 33.3 minutes, 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Scola has shot 50% from the floor but only 68% from the free throw line so far this year. If he could just improve his free throw shooting a tad the results would be good for both Scola and the team. The Rockets really need Scola to keep hitting the boards hard to help replace Yao.

When the Rockets signed veteran center Brad Miller and re-signed Chuck Hayes, you kind of knew that they didn’t think Yao would make it through the whole year healthy. Now they are getting paid back for their faith in Miller & Hayes. Miller has played in 24 games (5 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 19.1 minutes, 8.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Miller has been mostly operating as the backup as Chuck Hayes has been drawing most of the starts in the pivot. Hayes has played in 24 games (5 starts) so far this year and he is averaging 20.4 minutes, 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The Rockets need this pair to keep up the good work.

34-year old center Brad Miller has seen limited minutes but he’s making them count. Miller has played in 16 games (5 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 18.9 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Miller has been shooting the lights out this year for the Rockets. Miller has hit 52.6% from the floor, 50% from three point range and 90% from the free throw line so far this year. The Rockets will continue to watch Miller’s minutes to keep him fresh and healthy the whole year.