ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Aaron Brooks, Shooting guard Tracy McGrady, Small forward Shane Battier, Power forward Luis Scola, Center Yao Ming. Bench -- Guard Luther Head, Guard Ron Artest, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry.
PLAYER NOTES: --C Yao Ming, who went 5-of-12 in the first meeting with Denver, made 13-of-19 shots, scoring 32 points, one shy of his season-high.
--G Tracy McGrady had his fourth-career triple-double by the end of the third quarter, finishing with 20 points and season highs of 14 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocked shots.
--F Ron Artest, coming off the bench for the first time this season, came back after missing two games because of his sprained right ankle and made 7-of-12 shots, scoring 20 points.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Rafer Alston (strained left hamstring) is doubtful for Friday.
--G Brent Barry (slightly torn muscle in right leg) returned to practice, but is doubtful to play on Friday.
--G Steve Francis (knee surgery) had returned to practices for the first time since last February's knee surgery, but has yet to play.
--C Joey Dorsey (plantar fasciitis) is out for another week to 10 days.
--G Von Wafer (sprained left ankle) is day to day.
