NEW YORK—Yao Ming returned to the line-up for the first time in 32 games, but it was not enough as the Houston Rockets dropped a 91-85 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA play Monday in Cleveland.
LeBron James scored a game-high 32 points, his fourth 30-plus game in a row, to lead the Cavaliers, and he also picked up 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Yao played 27 minutes in his first game since breaking his right leg in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 23. The Rockets were 20-12 without him in the line-up.
The 7-foot-6 center appeared rusty at times, especially in the early stages, but he wound up with 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks while leading a determined Houston comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
"Sometimes Cleveland would just steal the ball from my hand," Yao told reporters after the game.
"I can't wait for my next game."
Houston managed just 32 first-half points and trailed 43-33 at the intermission, and by 11 points after three quarters, as Yao was just 1-for-9 in the first half.
The Rockets then trailed by as many as 14 points in the final quarter, but Yao scored seven straight points to help get Houston to within two at 84-82 with 1:34 left.
But the Cavaliers held on to win for the third time in four games and improve to 10-1 against Western Conference teams at home.
Yao, wearing a black brace on his right knee, fell to the floor in a heap late in the game after Zydrunas Ilgauskas stole the ball away from him. A trainer had to help him off the court, but he returned shortly after and finished the game.
Larry Hughes added 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Cavaliers, but no other Cleveland player scored in double-figures.
Tracy McGrady scored 25 points to lead the Rockets, but was just 10-for-32 from the field. Shane Battier added 15 points for the Rockers, who shot just 36 percent in losing for the fourth time in five games.
*The Golden State Warriors snapped a six-game losing streak as Jason Richardson scored a season-high 29 points in a 111-93 win over the Detroit Pistons at Auburn Hills.
*The Miami Heat went over the .500 mark for the first time since November 10 by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 88-81.
*Hedo Turkoglu had a season-high 25 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Milwaukee Bucks 99-81 to snap a three-game losing streak.
*The Utah Jazz cruised to their fourth straight win, easily beating the Charlotte Bobcats 120-95.
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