--They still boo heartily in Orlando every time Tracy McGrady's name is mentioned, as if motivated by the cue more than emotion. His annual trip back to Orlando seems besides the point, now. There no longer are the signs in the arena. The booing with his every touch of the ball has long since ended.
These days, the meetings of the Rockets and Magic are renewals of the meetings of All-Stars Yao Ming and Dwight Howard, with Yao pitting his size of offensive skills against Howard and his athleticism and defensive prowess. Yao got the better of the battle of All-Star centers last season, averaging 22.5 points and 13.5 rebounds against Howard. Howard averaged 18.5 points and 9.5.
Yao won the matchup again, scoring 22 points with 13 rebounds, while holding Howard to 13 points and nine rebounds.
They did, however, seem to enjoy the showdown.
"We'll, he's a big body," Howard said. "He's very gifted on the offensive end, and he's pretty tough to guard. He can shoot the ball extremely well. That's what sets everything up in his game. I learn a lot every time I play him, but at the same time, it's fun.
"It's fun. It's like a big beanstalk. You got to chop. Just kidding. But I had a lot of fun. I love playing against Yao. We don't get to see each other that often, but when we play each other, I learn a lot of stuff from him. I think he is probably one of the best shooting bigs in the NBA. His turnaround jump shot, nobody can block it unless you're 7-8. It's tough, but he's a lot of fun to play against.
"He's going to be around for a long time, so (I'm) looking forward to another matchup."
--For three consecutive games, the Rockets got off to terrible starts and spent the rest of the night trying to make up for the damage done. They allowed an average of 30 first-quarter points against the Thunder, Mavericks and Wizards but finally turned it around Saturday against the Magic.
They allowed just 17 points on 38.9 percent shooting against Orlando, and they led by as much as 10.
"You just have to come out ready to play," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We come out slow to get into it. Last game we turned it over three or four times at the start of the game. You can't do that. You have to warm up right and be sharp at the start.
"They have to change the way they approach the start of the game. Maybe have a little bit better concentration."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "A lot is really riding on Yao. I told him, just looking at the game last night in the fourth quarter, we get it down low, get great post position, stay aggressive, they got to double-team. Either they double-team or he goes one-on-one, and I'll take my chances with him going one-on-one on anybody. If he can do that consistently, we'll be a hell of a team. We're leaning on him. I'm handicapped right now." -- G Tracy McGrady.
