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 Brent Barry, Guard Aaron Brooks, forward Chuck Hayes.
PLAYER NOTES: --C Yao Ming never quite got his shooting touch going, but dominated the boards, getting seven of his 18 rebounds off the offensive glass to help him finish with 24 points.
--F Luis Scola had sat out the fourth quarter while the Rockets went with Ron Artest at power forward, but had already scored 19 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. After making 7-of-8 shots on Monday, he made 6-of-11 on Wednesday.
--G Rafer Alston had six assists in both the first and third quarters, finishing with a season-high 13. He never got his shot going, making just 2-of-10 shots, and just 1-of-6 from behind the three-point line, but he played 35 minutes without a turnover.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Luther Head (sore right foot) is out.
