The rox has been suffering  with T-Mac and David Wesley's absence. Though Yao has terrific statistics, averaged more than 25 points, 10+ rebounds, 2 or so blocks, they could barely win only YAO.  Nevertheless,   basketball is a teamwork. 
Today's winning over Hornets could be attributed to two figures, Alston and Howard, former organized the team offense well and passed the ball right time right there, while the latter had got double-double,  meanwhile, Yao had just soso performance, with 22 points, only 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Technically speaking, they still have the chance to be in playoffs, on the basis of winning all the rest 13 games of the regular seasons. It is like mission impossible. 
p.s. Rox coach Jeff Van Gandy had previously telephoned his former Knicks player Sprewell, requesting him to come to houston to help the rox with relatively low salary, though the answer from the Sprewell is negative, it at least showed that Jeff had tried in his way whatever he could to help rox, though his coaching tactics were blamed by most of the people, the media, the fans, only not by the players.