Yao set to return tonight

Yao Ming is expected to return to the Houston Rockets tonight when they play at Cleveland against the Cavaliers.

The 7-foot-6 center has missed 32 games since breaking his right leg Dec. 23 against the Clippers.

Before the injury, Yao was having his best season, averaging 27 points and nine rebounds and scoring more than 30 points in four of his last five games.

Including the game in which Yao was injured in the first quarter, the Rockets went a surprising 20-12 without him to improve to 36-23. But they have struggled badly recently.

Houston has lost five of its last eight games, including three straight losses at home. The Rockets blew a 13-point fourth quarter lead to lose to the last-place Boston Celtics and then were routed by the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.

Houston’s 97-74 home loss to San Antonio on Saturday was its largest margin of defeat this season.

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Golden State Warriors point guard Baron Davis could be activated for tonight’s game at Detroit after missing the last 13 because of a left knee injury.