Yi Impresses but Rockets Win

First things first, Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks rookie forward, scored 19 points (7 for 12 from the field including 2 for 2 from three). He played well. However, the Houston Rockets woke up from a second half slumber and defeated the Bucks 104 to 88 in front of 18,244 screaming fans at Toyota Center.

Yao Ming led all scorers with 28 points (7 for 16 from the field and a perfect 14 for 14 from the foul line) and; he added a game-high 10 rebounds. Tracy McGrady scored 21 points; dished eight assists; and pulled down eight boards. Bonzi Wells scored 18 points off the bench as well as pulling down seven rebounds.

The Rockets trailed the Bucks 25 to 24 at the end of the first period; however, the Rockets outscored the Bucks 26 to 16 in the second period to take a 50 to 41 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Yi Jianlian scored 11 points on perfect 4 for 4 shooting from the field and 2 for from the foul line. Both teams shot well in the period -- Milwaukee shot 68.8% (11 for 16) and Houston shot 52.4% (11 for 21).

The Rockets allowed Milwaukee's zone defense to disrupt their offense until the middle of the fourth quarter. The Bucks were able to pull within two points (84 to 82); then, the Rockets went to work. Wells scored a reverse lay-up; and Tracy McGrady splashed in a three-point shot in transition to force a time out by the Bucks. Wells added four more points and helped the Rockets score 14 straight points to lead 98 to 82 and blow the game open.