Yao Ming (姚明) scored 28 points to help the Houston Rockets beat the Miami Heat 107-98 on Monday and go second in the NBA’s Western Conference.
Houston, who improved to 10-5, led 30-21 after the first quarter and although Miami edged the next two sessions, the Rockets still took an 80-75 advantage into the fourth.
With the towering Yao in dominating form, the lead was never in danger. Despite an impressive display from Mario Chalmers, who along with Dwyane Wade picked up 23 points, Miami were left with a 7-7 record.
With the smallest line-up in the NBA, Miami were always going to struggle against the 2.26m Yao. Their only hope was if they could play at a speed Houston’s big men found difficult.
That happened at times and Miami were also effective from distance, with Chalmers producing five three-pointers.
The Rockets’ Ron Artest, however, did a great job of keeping Wade away from the basket.
“He had an off night,” he said. “He didn’t play like I’m used to seeing him play. I guess I’m one of the better defenders and if I’m on him, I have a better chance than some of the other guys, but it was a great team effort.”
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra conceded that size was a factor but said he was impressed with Houston.
“Our size, well, we understand what it is every game we play. We have to play a little bit differently,” he said.
“In the first half, it is tough to stop a team that good. They are a very solid team on both sides of the ball. Defensively they are excellent and their offense is just going to get better as the season goes on,” he said.
Rockets coach Rick Adelman said Yao’s defensive role had proved important.
“Yao can’t come out from the rim. He has to stay at the rim because that is where he is effective,” he said. “He’s so big that if he just stays there he is hard to shoot over.”
Houston’s win concluded a successful three-game road trip in the East during which Yao believed the team had found its way.
“On this trip we learned something,” Yao said. “We found which way we are going to play basketball. We are going to use the advantage we have on the team. For the first 10 games we played without team discipline.”
Miami’s Shawn Marion conceded there was not much the Heat could do against the Chinese center.
“He’s so big. He sets up right at the rim and all he has to do is turn around and throw that thing in there,” he said.
MAGIC 108, BUCKS 101
At Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard had 24 points and 13 rebounds to help Orlando beat Milwaukee.
Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis each added 22 points for the Magic.
Richard Jefferson scored 25 points to lead Milwaukee, which lost Andrew Bogut to a left knee bruise in the third quarter.
The Magic saw point guard Jameer Nelson leave with a groin strain.
Orlando led by 12 with just under two minutes left, but poor free throw shooting and Jefferson almost brought the Bucks back. His short jumper with 24 seconds left cut the lead to 103-100, but free throws by Turkoglu and Lewis sealed the win.
BOBCATS 93, 76ERS 84
At Charlotte, North Carolina, D.J. Augustin scored 25 points and added a career-high 11 assists, backcourt mate Raymond Felton added 23 points, and Charlotte used its new speedy and tiny lineup to beat Philadelphia.
Augustin and Felton had their best game together since coach Larry Brown inserted the rookie Augustin in the starting lineup three games ago. They helped the Bobcats snap a four-game losing streak despite another meek performance from Charlotte’s front line.
Elton Brand had 18 points and Andre Iguodala added 17 points for the Sixers.
TRAIL BLAZERS 91, KINGS 90
At Portland, Brandon Roy scored 28 points as Portland rallied to beat Sacramento.
Joel Przybilla added 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Steve Blake had 12 points for the Blazers.
Greg Oden made his first start for Portland since returning from a foot injury on Nov. 12. Odenhad three points, six rebounds, and four turnovers in 19 minutes.
John Salmons led Sacramento with 20 points and had a chance to win the game, but his drive to the basket with two seconds remaining came up short of the rim.
HORNETS 99, CLIPPERS 87
At Los Angeles, David West scored 27 points as New Orleans beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
Peja Stojakovic had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who won their third straight following a home-and-home sweep of Oklahoma City. Forward Morris Peterson did not play because of pain in his right knee, but backup point guard Devin Brown was back in the lineup, scoring 11 points after spraining his right ankle in Saturday’s 109-97 win.
Eric Gordon scored 25 points to lead the Clippers despite spraining his ankle early in the first quarter.
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