ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Rafer Alston, Shooting guard Tracy McGrady, Small forward Shane Battier, Power forward Luis Scola, Center Yao Ming. Bench -- Forward Ron Artest, Guard Von Wafer, Forward Carl Landry, Guard Aaron Brooks, forward Chuck Hayes.
PLAYER NOTES: --C Yao Ming, who had missed the previous two games, never seemed comfortable. He had 13 points and nine rebounds, but bobbled and lost several rebounds and committed five turnovers.
--G Tracy McGrady led the Rockets in scoring for the second-consecutive game, scoring 24 points with six assists and five rebounds. But after missing his last five shots in the previous game, he missed his last five again, including all four in a scoreless fourth quarter.
--F Luis Scola was a consistent contributor, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but with the game on the line and the Rockets offense coming apart late, did not play in the final seven minutes.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Luther Head (sore right foot) is out.
