--In the six games since moving back to the starting lineup with Tracy McGrady out for the year, Ron Artest has been much more effective and consistent than when he filled in for McGrady or Shane Battier.
He has averaged 19.3 points and made 48.5 percent of his three-pointers since returning to the starting lineup. "I'm back on my mojo," Artest said. "I'm back in the situation I was in the last couple years. I have to believe they're going to try to keep me out of the paint, to not give me open looks and to not give Yao (Ming) open looks.
"It's a great situation to be in when you got a chance to win. That's the only thing that's going to define individuals. That's how the team does."
--With the Cavaliers using 7-4 Zydrunas Ilgauskas to double team Yao Ming, Yao turned the ball over on his first touch and needed several minutes to get a feel for how to attack. When he did, he was unstoppable. He made 13-of-15 shots, scoring 28 points and keying the Rockets offense.
"Actually, at the beginning of the game I took about three possessions to read the defense," he said. "They double-teamed from other places like the weak side. It slowed me down a little at the beginning. I had some turnovers and missed shots and then I think coach gave me a good tip on where to find the open man and then when they played 1-on-1 against me, all I needed to do was to get to my position and use my hook shot and turnaround jumper."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "When we look back at this at the end of the year, it (the home stand) established our identity as a hard-working team and a team that plays great defense." -- Shane Battier.
