Yao’s return not enough to lift Rockets over Grizzlies

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Yao Ming returned to the Houston
lineup on Monday after a 21-game injury layoff, but the
Rockets’ were unable to snap out of their recent malaise, going
down 86-77 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Yao had 15 points and eight rebounds in his return from a
foot injury that required surgery, but the Rockets remained
firmly grounded, losing their third straight and 11th in 14
games.

Chucky Atkins, who was let go by the Washington Wizards and
picked up by the Grizzlies last week, bagged 19 points for
Memphis, who earned just their third win in 10 games.

Pau Gasol added 16 points and 11 rebounds to the Memphis
cause while Mike Miller potted 17 points and Shane Battier 12.

Tracy McGrady had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in
the loss.

The Rockets got off to a flying start, leading 24-21 after
the opening quarter, but trailed 43-39 at the intermission.

The Grizzlies went on a 7-0 run to start the third but the
Rockets would fight back, pulling to 54-52 midway through the
quarter.

But that would be as close as Houston would get, the
Grizzlies answering with a 13-0 run to open up a 16-point and
post a comfortable win.

In Salt Lake City, Tim Duncan had 19 points and eight
rebounds, guiding the San Antonio Spurs to a 79-70 victory over
the Utah Jazz.

Tony Parker chipped in with 17 points while Bruce Bowen
added 13 and Manu Ginobili 10, as the Spurs continued their
domination over the Jazz notching their 20th win in 22 meetings
and extending their win streak to four games.

Jarron Collins paced the Jazz with 15 points and 10
rebounds while Matt Harpring had 12 points and Andrei Kirilenko
10 in the loss as the Jazz slumped to their fifth defeat in six
games.

In Charlotte, LeBron James nailed 30 points, adding six
assists and six rebounds, as the Cleveland Cavaliers dumped the
Bobcats 103-91, rolling to their sixth straight win.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 19 points and Donyell Marshall
bagged 14 for the Cavaliers, who led by 26 entering the final
quarter.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto)