LeBron James was accidentally elbowed in the face by Houston's Dikembe Mutombo late in the first half of the game on Wednesday and had to be helped from the floor.

Early in the third quarter, the Cavs said James had bruised the orbital bone around his left eye and would not return.

James left the game scoring just 3 points and the Cavs went on to lost 98-87.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have suspended guard/forward Jim Jackson indefinitely for failing to report to the team.

Jackson was acquired along with forward Bostjan Nachbar from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard David Wesley on Dec. 27.  The trade will not be affected by Jackson's suspension, meaning Nachbar will be available for tonight's contest vs. Phoenix.

"We're confident that once Jim has time to evaluate his situation more closely, he'll understand that we have a great organization and a tremendous coaching staff and that New Orleans is a wonderful place to become part of the community," said Hornets General Manager Allan Bristow.  "The Hornets have established a strong winning tradition over the years. We plan to continue to work tirelessly to get back to that."

Jackson has spent time with Dallas, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Golden State, Portland, Atlanta, Cleveland, Miami and Sacramento in addition to Houston (where he signed as a free agent prior to the 2003-04 season).  He had averaged 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 24 games with the Rockets this season.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired guard/forward Jim Jackson and forward Bostjan Nachbar from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard David Wesley.

"Jim and Bostjan are going to fit well into our system and should be able to help us with their offensive skills," said Hornets General Manager Allan Bristow.  "We're optimistic that the addition of these two players and the return of some of our injured players will give us a great boost on the court."

Jackson, currently in his 13th NBA season, holds career averages of 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 805 games.  The 6-6 swingman has spent time with Dallas, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Golden State, Portland, Atlanta, Cleveland, Miami and Sacramento in addition to Houston (where he signed as a free agent prior to the 2003-04 season).  He had averaged 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 24 games with the Rockets this season.

Nachbar (whose name is pronounced "BOAST-jon NOCK-bar) was selected by the Rockets with the 15th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.  The 6-9 Slovenian forward averaged 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in his first two seasons with Houston and had averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 16 games with the Rockets this season.

"David Wesley has always exemplified the very best in what a Hornets player represents on and off the basketball court," said Hornets Owner George Shinn. "He has been a part of some great memories with our club, both in what he has done for us on the court and what he has meant to the community.

"We wish him and his family the best."

The Atlanta Hawks today acquired guard Tyronn Lue from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Jon Barry, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight.

Tyronn is a hard-nosed defender who can push the ball up the court, Knight said. (Hawks assistant coach) Larry Drew coached him with the Lakers and in Washington so hes familiar with his abilities. He has a good attitude, and loves to play, so were looking forward to having him.

At the same time, this was done because of the development of our young players  Josh Childress, Josh Smith and Royal Ivey, Knight added. We like the way theyre emerging and growing. We didnt feel like there would be a lot of playing time for Jon at that shooting guard position.

A seventh-year guard from Nebraska, Lue has appeared in 21 games (3 starting assignments) this season with the Rockets, averaging 6.0 ppg, 2.8 apg and 1.9 rpg (.393 FG%, .333 3FG%, .778 FT%).

He spent his first three NBA seasons with the Lakers, winning an NBA championship ring in 2001. He signed as a free agent with Washington on July 18, 2001. After two seasons with the Wizards, he signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on July 23, 2003. He was traded to Houston on June 29, 2004 in a seven-player deal.

Originally drafted by Denver in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, his draft rights were traded to the Lakers on draft night. Tyronn (TIE-ron) Jamar Lue was born May 3, 1977 in Mexico, Missouri and attended Raytown (Missouri) High School.

Barry, who signed with Atlanta on September 16, 2004, played in 16 contests for the Hawks, and posted 5.2 ppg, 1.8 apg and 1.3 rpg (.403 FG%, .344 3FG%, .769 FT%).

In his 13th NBA season, Barry has also played for Milwaukee, Golden State, LA Lakers, Sacramento, Detroit and Denver. Additionally, Barry played in 58 games for the Hawks during the 1996-97 campaign.

The Rockets inched closer to .500 basketball as they defeated the Raptors by a final score of 114-102.

Yao Ming finished with 40 points and 10 rebounds, and Tracy McGrady had 34 points and 12 rebounds. Their combined point total marked the highest by a pair of Rockets since Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell teamed for 74 against Denver on April 5, 1991.

"I still had a sour taste in my mouth from the last game we played in Charlotte and just wanted to be aggressive from the start and set the tone," McGrady said. "I took over the game for a minute, and then I took a back seat to Yao and let the big man go to work."

"I tried to push my opponent into the paint, because I'm stronger than him," said Yao, who was 13-of-16 from the field. "I have to do that. The closer I am to the basket, the more field goals I can make."

New to the West, Tracy McGrady is currently leading perennial favorite, Kobe Bryant, in all-star voting for the 2004-2005 season.  McGrady is the top guard in the West with 680,373 votes thus far, however he is trailing fellow teammate, Yao Ming, who leads the West with 881,223 votes.

Fans may cast votes through Jan. 23rd; the game is on Feb. 20th.  Coming as no surprise, Shaquille O?Neal leads the East with 854,930 votes.

The Houston Rockets activated point guard Tyronn Lue before Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks and placed Reece Gaines on the injured list.

Lue missed five games because of a sore knee. In 16 games, Lue is averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 assists.

Gaines returns to the injured list for the second time this season. He missed the first 17 games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He is averaging three points and 1.4 rebounds in five games.

In the first batch of All-Star Ballot votes tabulated, Rockets' Center Yao Ming "leads all players with 881,223 votes", while Heat Center Shaquille O?Neal ?leads all Eastern Conference players with 854,930 votes?. Kings' Center Brad Miller (130,824), and Piston's Center Ben Wallace (266,891) are close behind for the West, and East respectively.

The Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett (751,586), and the Raptor's Vince Carter (619,959) lead the way respectively for the Forward spot in the West, and East. They're followed close behind by the Magic's Grant Hill (552,328), and the Spurs' Tim Duncan (570,090) for the West and East respectively.

Yao's Houston teammate Tracy McGrady (680,373), and the Cavalier?s LeBron James (557,538) lead the way for Guards in the West and East Respectively. They're followed close behind by the Laker's Kobe Bryant (673,665), and the 76's Allen Iverson (521,245) for the West and East respectively.

Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds, including four difficult 3 points, to finish with 33 points, eight rebounds and five steals in the biggest last-minute comeback for Houston.

The Rockets were being roundly booed following Bob Sura's airball on a 3-point attempt with Houston trailing 74-64, with just over a minute left in what seemed to be another ugly home loss.

Then, Yao Ming followed McGrady's miss on a layup, Scott Padgett stole an inbounds pass and went in for a dunk and the Rockets were finally within striking distance. McGrady completed a four-point play with 24.3 seconds left to pull Houston within 78-75.

Tim Duncan hit two free throws to give San Antonio an 80-75 lead, but McGrady quickly responded with a leaping, 3-pointer over Bruce Bowen with 11.2 seconds to go.

San Antonio called a timeout, but Devin Brown fumbled away the ball under the basket on the next possession and McGrady stole it away on his way to the game-winning 27-footer.

McGrady was mobbed by teammates near midcourt following the buzzer beater.

After much lobbying, David Stern and the city of Houston are set to announce the Toyota Center, the home of the Rockets as the host for the 2006 All-Star game.

They had initially wanted to host this season's game, but Denver was awarded the game.

In July, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau president Jordy Tollett said, "It is a firm deal for '06.

"I'm so happy I can't stand it."

Tollett estimated the three days of events would bring $60 million to $70 million to the city's businesses and tourism industry.