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 Hayes, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry, Forward Shane Battier.
PLAYER NOTES: --C Yao Ming had 28 points with 13 rebounds despite double-team and zone defenses around him. On the three-game road trip, he averaged 22.7 points on 61.5-shooting.
--G Tracy McGrady never found the three-point touch he had in Washington and Orlando. Without that, there was not much left. McGrady made just 2-of-7 shots, scoring six points, his fifth game scoring in single digits this season.
--F Ron Artest had his third consecutive strong shooting fourth quarter, making 2-of-3 shots down the stretch. But his greater contribution was on defense, where he helped hold Dwyane Wade to 7-of-23 shooting.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Shane Battier (bruised right foot) practiced for the first time this season and might play for the first time this season as soon as Wednesday.
--G Steve Francis (knee surgery) has yet to go through a full practice while rehabilitating after last February's knee surgery.
