With Steve Francis out and in the midst of a now 8-game losing streak, Rudy Tomjanovich has been working out ways to put more of the offensive load on Cuttino Mobley's shoulders, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Rudy T. has been trying to devise plays that will take advantage of Mobley's great one-on-one abilities without running an isolation.  The isolation has become more difficult this year because zones have been legalized and defenders can double-team and cut off passing lanes at the same time.  And, without Francis on the court, the pressure is worse.  Now plays will focus on pick and rolls and other tactics to get Mobley free.  Some were tried with good success in the loss to Washington.

It may be too much for Mobley, however, because he is hobbled with a sprained ankle.  But, with Francis, Maurice Taylor, and now Glen Rice on the sidelines, Mobley will continue to play injured.