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.

Get your NBA Futures in the Bodog Sportsbook!

The win gives the Rockets their sixth of the season the Hornets fall to just 5-4.

Leading the offence for Houston, and the game, was Ming with 21 points, while McGrady added 18. Chris Paul added a dozen assists to go along with 12 points in the loss.

Get <a href="http://sports.bodog.com/sports-betting/nba-basketball.jsp" target="_blank">NBA odds</a> with Bodog now.

While the U.S. Men's basketball team is the odds-on favorite to win gold this year (currently at 1/5 in the Bodog Sportsbook), they face a tall order in their opening game at the Beijing Olympics, facing off against a Yao Ming-led Chinese squad that will have practically all 1.3 billion Chinese citizens rooting them on.

The teams will meet on Sunday and the game promises to be one of the most-watched basketball telecasts of all time. With Ming being something of a national icon and young Yi Jianlian (of the New Jersey Nets) also in the mix, the Chinese firmly believe they have a shot at playing with the heavily-favored Americans.

If you think it's prime time for an upset, head on over to the Bodog Sportsbook now for all the latest 2008 Olympic Summer Games betting! From the Most overall medals to individual sports, we've got all your props, lines and futures coming from Beijing!

A stress fracture in his left foot has ended Yao Ming's season. (AP Images)

Just when you thought the Houston Rockets were finally stepping up, they've been dealt a huge blow. Six-time All-Star Yao Ming will be sidelined for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot.

While the headlines were all about the blockbuster moves in the Western Conference, the Rockets quietly moved up in the West with 12 wins in a row and a 10-2 record against the spread.

But with this shocking development, you can officially bury any chance of this squad finally meeting the lofty expectations in place since Yao and Tracy McGrady were put together. How can the Rockets ever build around a center that's averaged just 53 games in the past three seasons?

All the progress the Rockets made this year has been stripped away with the loss of center Yao Ming, read up Bodog Nation's take in NBA Betting: Failure to Launch.

A report out of Houston is stating that Yao Ming's season is done. (AP Images)

A report from the Houston Chronicle and TV station KRIV are stating that Yao Ming has a stress fracture in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the season.

The Houston Rockets have scheduled a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the franchise center's injury.

Ming's been having his most consistent season ever, averaging 22 points, 10.8 rebounds and two blocks through 55 games.

The Rockets are also riding a 12-game winning streak and are 10-2 against the spread.

Get your NBA odds in the Bodog Sportsbook!