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 Luther Head, Guard Von Wafer, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry, Forward Shane Battier.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Luther Head, who had played in only five games and scored just 19 points this season, started with Tracy McGrady and finished with 21, making seven of 11 shots. In 41 minutes, he had five rebounds, four assists, two steals and did not commit a turnover.
--F Shane Battier, playing just his second game this season, made seven of 11 shots to score 15 points, and played most of his 19 minutes matched up with Manu Ginobili, helping to hold Ginobili to 11 points on 2-of-6 shooting.
--G Rafer Alston, who did not play in the Rockets' loss to the Spurs on Nov. 14, had a solid all-around game. He made five of 10 shots for his 12 points, had six assists and two steals, and in 33 minutes, did not commit a turnover.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Tracy McGrady (sore left knee) sat out the past two games and will be out Sunday in Denver before going for a third opinion on his knee.
--F Shane Battier (sore left foot) did not fly with the team to Denver with doctors believing he is not ready to play in a back-to-back, particularly with travel.
--G Brent Barry (strained right calf) is out for Sunday's game against Denver and is listed as day-to-day.
--G Steve Francis (knee surgery) went through his second full practice in the past week, but he is still out rehabilitating after last February's knee surgery.
