Atlanta (2-10) at Houston (3-11) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The offensively challenged Houston Rockets hope to have Tracy McGrady back in the lineup Tuesday when they take on the Atlanta Hawks.

A two-time scoring champ, McGrady has missed eight games this season - including the last five - with a strained back. He entered the season averaging 22 points for his career, with a career-best 32.1 average with Orlando in 2002-2003.

McGrady's absence has left a huge void in the Rockets' offensive scheme. Houston has averaged 82.1 points during a seven-game losing streak and has failed to reach the century mark this season.

Yao Ming scored 30 points and led six players in double figures for the Rockets in Saturday's 94-89 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Houston shot less than 37 percent (28-of-76) from the floor.

After opening the season with nine losses, Atlanta won its next two before dropping a 77-75 contest to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Al Harrington scored 16 points and Zaza Pachulia and Joe Johnson added 15 each for the Hawks, who set a season low in scoring and have reached 100 points only once.

Atlanta has lost seven of the last 10 meetings against the Rockets and has not won at Houston since February 25, 1999.