HOUSTON, Texas. — Yao Ming scored 22 points and pulled down
12 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 92-77 victory over the Cleveland
Cavaliers in the NBA on Thursday.
The win was the ninth in 10 games for the Rockets.
Houston’s Tracy McGrady was held to eight points but Rafer
Alston scored 17 points and made nine assists. Shane Battier added 15 points
for the Rockets.
Houston broke open the game with a 15-4 run in the third
quarter. The surge boosted the Rockets into a 70-53 lead with 1:27 left in the
quarter.
Cleveland shot a cold 39.7 percent for the game with only
LeBron James, who top-scored with 32 points, producing any offensive threat.
The Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a 101-84 home win over the
Miami Heat with Andre Iguodala scoring 25 points and Andre Miller adding 21
points.
Dwayne Wade had 19 points and nine assists for Miami, which
lost its sixth consecutive game and 21st of the last 22.
Meanwhile, Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis is to have a
knee operation that will end his season, the NBA team said on Thursday.
Francis, who has appeared in just 10 games this season for
the Rockets, has not played since Dec. 19 and is due to undergo surgery on a
torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee on Feb 25.
"It is obviously disappointing to have my season cut short
by this injury," Francis said.
"The opportunity to come back and help the Rockets compete
for a championship this season was very special to me.
"Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with this injury for the
better part of three seasons going back to my days in New York.
"I am glad to know that we have identified the source of the
problem and I’m looking forward to getting the operation over with so that I
can start my rehab and prepare for next season."
The second overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, Francis began
his career in Houston, spending five seasons with Rockets, before being traded
to the Orlando Magic.
The former Maryland standout also spent two seasons with the
New York Knicks before re-signing with the Rockets this season.
Struggling with injuries this season, Francis averaged just 5.5 points and
3.0 assists a game, well below his career averages of 18.1 points, 6.0 assists
and 5.6 rebounds.
