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 Hayes, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry, Forward Shane Battier.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Rafer Alston had his best all-around offensive game of the season, scoring a season-high 21 points, grabbing a season-high eight rebounds and getting seven assists with just one turnover. He made 5 of 9 three-pointers.
--C Yao Ming had a solid line spent the game surrounded in double- and triple-teams, but still finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots, while the attention he drew inside created opportunities around him.
--F Carl Landry scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, making 5-of-8 shots overall, and keyed the Rockets' fourth-quarter rally after diving into the stands head-first to chase a loose ball.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Tracy McGrady (sore left knee) missed the past four games and said he would be out for three more weeks.
--G Brent Barry (slightly torn muscle in right leg) will be kept off the court for two more weeks before he will start practicing.
--G Steve Francis (knee surgery) had returned to practices for the first time since last February's knee surgery, but has yet to play.
