ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Rafer Alston, Shooting guard Tracy McGrady, Small forward Ron Artest, Power forward Luis Scola, Center Yao Ming. Bench -- Guard Brent Barry, Guard Aaron Brooks, Guard Von Wafer, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry, Forward Shane Battier.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Tracy McGrady started the game with the same hot shooting with which he finished the night before, draining his first two shots, both from beyond the arc. He cooled off, but still finished 6-for-13 for 17 points in 31 minutes. McGrady has never lost in Orlando since the 2003 trade to the Rockets.
--F Ron Artest had made just two of his first eight shots in the latest episode of his season-long shooting difficulties, but in the fourth quarter, he turned it around. He made three of four attempts, including one from beyond the arc, and finished with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
--C Yao Ming continued his recent surge of sharp shooting, making nine of 15 shots to finish with 22 points and 13 rebounds against Dwight Howard. In the past eight games, he has made 53 of 90 shots, and he's made 15 of 24 in the two games since sitting out Wednesday with a sore right foot.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Shane Battier (bruised right foot) practiced for the first time this season and will measure his progress to determine if he can play for the first time this season, possibly in Miami on Monday or in Houston on Wednesday.
--G Steve Francis has yet to go through a full practice while rehabilitating after last February's knee surgery.
