Yao helps Rockets blast past Heat

MIAMI (Reuters) - China's Yao Ming 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 Dwayne 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 7 ft 6 ins (2.26-meter) 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 better chance than some of the other guys but it was a great team effort."

SIZE MATTERS

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."

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, with wins over Washington and Orlando, 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," he added.

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.

(Editing by Martin Petty)