Yao Ming scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds and Tracy
McGrady provided a boost off the bench Monday to lead the Houston
Rockets over Seattle 96-89 in an NBA game.
But Yao was not satisfied with his performance in the match held
Monday afternoon in Houston.
"I was losing concentration during the match, maybe because it
was an afternoon match," he said.
"I wasn't looking for excuses, but the statistics did not speak
all. I should have played better," Yao added.
While the Chinese superstar center led the way it was McGrady, a
reserve since returning from a bone bruise and tendinitis after
missing 12 games, who helped the Rockets stretch their lead in the
third quarter.
McGrady scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and passed off
five assists and teammates joked he would be the first man off the
bench the rest of the season, which might turn out to be more than
a laughing proposition.
"That's my new job," McGrady said. "You've got to approach the
game in a different way. The speed of the game is already going on,
the guys got their legs and their rhythm.
"I'm coming off the bench and I'm struggling with one leg
anyway, trying to keep up with these guys. Today (the knee) was
really bad. Not only was I tight, I had pain in my knee. It's going
to be that way because I can't rest and let it heal all the way up.
It's something I'm going to have to tolerate."
McGrady said he is about 75 percent healthy and wants to build
his endurance and game fitness back carefully as the Rockets,
22-19, enter the second half of the season.
"We're going to have to go on a (heck) of a run. We're capable
of doing it," McGrady said.
"It's good I played so many minutes. I was able to stay out
there when I was really tired. During the game I kind of forgot
about it. But at times I can't help it. Certain movements are
restricted. I have to deal with it."
McGrady was yanked in the closing minutes, reinserted when the
Sonics rallied and added five points and a block to end the last
threat as Seattle suffered an 11th loss in a row.
"Without Tracy McGrady, it takes a huge part of your game away,"
Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "They can take Yao out with the
double team. But Tracy can spread the court. We have to see how far
(he) can go."
McGrady was uncertain when he might be well enough to return to
the starting lineup.
"I felt that's what my team was missing without me, being able
to create shots for guys," McGrady said. "Being able to get to the
bucket. If I don't make the shot, I still bring attention to
myself, let Yao and those guys get the offensive rebounds. I just
wanted to assert myself in the fourth quarter.
Seattle forwards Kurt Thomas and Nick Collison were forced to
guard Yao much of the night and were clearly outmatched.
"The only one that compares with Yao is (Shaquille O'Neal),"
Thomas said. "He has such great touch and shooting ability. He is a
great free-throw shooter and almost automatic."
LeBron James' 28 points helped the Cleveland Cavaliers hand the
Miami Heat their 14th consecutive loss, a 97-90 setback in Miami.
Dwyane Wade had 42 points for the Heat but could not halt the
slump, the second-worst in the team's history.
(Agencies via China Daily January 23, 2008)