The NBA as a game is going to be hurting without Ming playing because he has the biggest following out there. I am not talking a Twitter following like Shaq or Chris Bosh. I am talking the entire nation of China.

If there is no Yao Ming on the floor, there will certainly be less eyes in China on the game.

The Rockets have begun remaking themselves for the post Yao-McGrady era by adding Trevor Ariza but he was viewed as a part of that plan, not the replacement star.

If Yao Ming’s hairline fracture in his left foot does not heal soon, or at all for that matter, the NBA will be in bad shape as it tries to grow into the most popular sport in the world.

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Any bets on which Lakers team shows up tonight? The one that gets blown out, or the one that wins by 40?
The Lakers have been criticized for failure to sustain mental toughness throughout the playoffs, so tonight will be a big test to see if they can overcome that.

Houston dropped 11 games by double-digits during the regular season and won the next game 10 times.

So how can Houston extend the series?

The first step is getting off to a good start. The team winning after the first quarter has won all 11 of their postseason games. The Lakers are 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings with the Rockets. Get all your NBA playoffs odds in the Bodog Sportsbook now.

The series is guaranteed to go back to Houston for Game 6 on Thursday night.

The Lakers could be without Lamar Odom. He was listed as questionable for tonight's game after an MRI and CT scan showed he has a bruised lower back. Get all your NBA playoff odds in the Bodog Sportsbook now.

Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34 points in Game 4 and the Rockets will need that again to upset the Lakers at home.

Ron Artest of the Rockets and Derek Fisher of the Lakers were ejected in separate incidents and a total of five technical fouls were called in Los Angeles' testy 111-98 victory on Wednesday night that evened the series at 1-1.

Pau Gasol had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Lamar Odom added 11 rebounds, starting in place of Andrew Bynum. The two helped hold Yao Ming to 12 points after Houston's leading scorer had 28 in the opener.

The Rockets, who took home-court advantage in the series with their Game 1 victory, went 33-8 at home during the regular season. But the Lakers compiled the league's best road record, including two wins in Houston. Get all your NBA playoff odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Game 2 is tonight at Staples Center with the 10-point favored Lakers looking to avoid going down 0-2 before heading to Houston.

Andrew Bynum returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last two games against Utah. But he picked up two quick fouls, and finished with 10 points and just three rebounds in 15 minutes.
The Rockets shot 48 percent from the floor, with second-year guard Aaron Brooks scoring 19 points.

Kobe Bryant had an off-night shooting going 14-of-31 for 32 points, so the Rockets expect Bryant to do more damage in Game 2.

The Rockets are 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles. Get all your NBA playoff odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.

With Yao constantly surrounded, Luis Scola is the Rockets' leading scorer in the series, averaging 17.6 points per game. Scola is also shooting 58.5 percent from the field.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points for Portland in Game 5, complementing Brandon Roy's 25. Aldridge scored 27 in the Blazers' other win in the series and has averaged only 13 points in his team's three losses.

The Blazers have lost 12 of their last 13 games at the Toyota Center and 10 of their last 11 road playoff games overall.

The 5-point favored Rockets, meanwhile, have won eight straight home games. Be sure to get your NBA playoff odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Yao Ming had 21 points and 12 rebounds in an 89-88 victory over the Blazers on Sunday night. Once his teammates were able to get him the ball inside, Yao was nearly unstoppable. When Portland tried to double him, that left someone else open.

Portland was also hurt by giving up 10 offensive rebounds in the final quarter. Yao is averaging 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds through the first four games of the best-of-seven series.

Home court could help Portland since the Blazers were 34-7 at the Rose Garden during the regular season.
Brandon Roy did not practice Monday because of flu-like symptoms and LaMarcus Aldridge also didn't practice because of a right elbow strain. Both are expected to play in Game 5.

The Rockets and Blazers meet again tonight at the Rose Garden with the Blazers listed as 5.5-point favorites.

Joel Przybilla was assigned to Yao at the start of the game and was no match. Then Greg Oden also got a chance with Houston's big man and that did not seem to work either.

The Rockets also got 27 points and seven assists from Aaron Brooks, while Luis Scola had 19 points and Ron Artest had 17.

The Blazers went 34-7 at the Rose Garden during the regular season, so you have to figure they will come out on a mission tonight. For the best NBA lines head over to the Bodog online sportsbook.

This is bad news for the Rockets and their backers since Portland is 34-7 (45-36 ATS) at home, one of the league’s best records.

Houston won its two home games but had no chance for the season sweep after falling 101-99 in overtime in November in Portland on Brandon Roy’s 3-pointer as time expired. The Rockets limited the Trail Blazers to 91 points per game in the other two meetings.

Can Ron Artest and Shane Battier stop Roy, who scored 17 in Portland’s victory and averaged 23 in the two games at Houston? For the best NBA lines head over to the Bodog online sportsbook.

Yao Ming returned after missing a game with a bone bruise in his right foot to score a game-high 22 points in the Rockets' 86-66 win over visiting New Orleans on Monday. That is good news for Houston backers as the postseason nears.

The Mavericks, who are looking to win 50 games for a ninth straight season, can still finish as high as sixth, but it'll take a win and a New Orleans loss to San Antonio.

Dallas has lost its last two at home to Houston, including a 112-102 loss on Oct. 30 that featured Yao and Ron Artest combining for 59 points. Head to the Bodog Sportsbook for the best in NBA betting.