He had been better against Charlotte, averaging 11 points and shooting 52 percent, but still seemed almost invisible.

"We didn't want what happened to us against Charlotte to happen again," said Ewing.

He had 10 points in the first quarter against Charlotte, but only 2 the rest of the night.

Basically, he's played one game against Charlotte and not even a half game tonight in the last 10 days or two weeks.

James, a backup center, is eligible to return for tomorrow night's home game against Charlotte.

He was happy, though, with the team's aggressiveness against Charlotte.

Will it be the one that shoots 34.1 percent against Charlotte and loses by 99-78?

Ellis will sit out tonight's game at home against Charlotte.

He sprained his knee against Charlotte and missed five games.

Houston did so on a sore left ankle, which he injured early last week against Charlotte.