NEW YORK, December 14, 2009 (AFP) - Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza was given a one-game suspension by the NBA on Monday for swinging his elbow at Toronto's DeMar Rozan during a game on Sunday.

Ariza's violation took place 8:13 into the third period of Toronto's 101-88 victory over the visiting Rockets.

The Rockets will be without Ariza, their number two scorer averaging 17 points a game, for Tuesday's home game against Detroit. Ariza would return for Wednesday's game against Denver.

Ariza leads the Rockets with an average of 38.7 minutes played after starting in the first 23 games of the season for Houston.

He managed only one point on 0-for-9 shooting from the field against the Raptors before he was ejected for swinging his arm at DeRozan after a steal.

"It was a heat of the moment thing," Ariza said. "I lost my cool for a second. I got my penalty and whatever I have to do, I'm just trying to move past it and move forward."

Houston obtained Ariza after Ron Artest departed for the Lakers. Ariza's absence could open time for younger players but Rockets coach Rick Adelman has not yet decided who will replace Ariza in the starting lineup.

Ariza was drawing comparison's to Philippines boxing star Manny Pacquiao and US star fighter Oscar de la Hoya for his swipe at DeRozan.

"We were calling him Manny Pacquiao and 'Golden Boy' De La Hoya," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "You do something like that, you are open for ridicule by the other guys on your team."