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: --C Yao Ming came back from a disappointing four-rebound performance by controlling the boards from start to finish, grabbing a season-high 19 rebounds and scoring 10 of his 24 points in a 6 1/2-minute fourth-quarter stretch that took over the game.
--F Ron Artest came back after missing a game to rest his sore right ankle and though struggling at times with his movements, still had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists and a strong defensive fourth quarter matched up against Joe Johnson.
--F Luis Scola scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 33 minutes, but more than the numbers, he brought the energy the Rockets lacked the night before from the start, on one play diving into and over the courtside seats to chase a loose ball.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Tracy McGrady (sore left knee) missed the past seven games and said he would be out for a total of three weeks.
--G Brent Barry (slightly torn muscle in right leg) will be out for two 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.
--F Ron Artest (sprained right ankle) came back after sitting out Monday's game, but will remain day-to-day after an MRI showed damage in his ankle.
--C Joey Dorsey (plantar fasciitis) is out for two weeks.
