It's understandable if opponents rub their hands in anticipation of playing the Houston Rockets without Yao Ming.

Out since breaking his right leg against the Clippers on Dec. 23, Yao was enjoying a career year in several categories. He was averaging 25.9 points per game, 8.4 above his career average. He had a career best 10 games with 30 or more points last season. This season, in 27 games, he already has nine. His career best in blocked shots was 2.0 last season; he was averaging 2.2 this season. And with 9.4 rebounds per game, he was close to last season's career high of 10.2.

But the Lakers, Houston's opponent Wednesday night, know better than to get overconfident about Yao's absence. In the Lakers' first visit to Houston this season, the Rockets went on a 26-1 run in the fourth quarter led by their reserves. The Lakers hung on that night to win, 102-94.

The Rockets are 7-2 since Yao went out, with several other players stepping up in his absence.

Tracy McGrady had scored more than 30 points in six straight games entering Wednesday night, including a season-high 44 against the Utah Jazz. He scored eight against the Lakers.

Dikembe Mutombo, replacing Yao at center, has had a double-figures total in rebounding in the last eight games, including a season-high 19 against Utah and again against the Lakers.

Shane Battier had a season-high 28 points against the Clippers in the game in which Yao was hurt and Juwan Howard had averaged 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds over his previous eight games.

Although the Rockets are thrilled with their success, they aren't about to downplay Yao's importance.

"With Yao being out, nothing will ever be easy for us on any night," Mutombo told the Houston Chronicle.

Then they had better get used to struggling. Yao, who is still several weeks away from even being able to work out his injured leg in a swimming pool, is not expected back until the end of next month.

After getting a second opinion in Chicago from Bulls team physician Brian Cole, Yao remains on schedule to begin on-court workouts in about five weeks.

For now, he has to be content working on an exercise bike and shooting balls from a chair.

But Yao can at least take comfort from the fact his teammates are filling the hole he left behind and filling the basket in impressive fashion.